Catching Up!

A brief glimpse into one of my observations:

The store was unusually cold, I had been informed when I arrived that a technician came to turn on the Air Conditioning, but had set the gage too low.  The associate, Tess*, who was working had made the decision to break dress code (white/black shirt, black/khaki pants) and tug on a light brown sweater over her uniform's apron.

I began browsing the shelves, this particular day spent out of unform, greatful for my own sweatshirt, my nose already begining to run from the cold of the store.  Two teenage girls entered the store-- wearing flip-flops and shorts-- immediately remarking on the frigid temperature before turning and leaving before Tess had a chance to speak with them.

It was a Wednesday evening, a time and day that already has relatively low traffic, and it was another forty five minutes before another customer entered.

This shopper was in her mid-forties, wearing a sweater and pants, but she still shivered upon entering the store.  When Tess spoke to her, she waved the associate off and said that she was "Just Looking!" in a curt tone.  She then moved quickly towards the back of the store, selecting items seemingly without thought and proceeding to the checkout.

She didn't speak to Tess at all as she checked out, and left immediately.  As soon as she exited the store, her posture relaxed and she tugged at her sweater.

Perhaps, in the case of the store's atmosphere, this particular night was inhospitable to shoppers.

*Name Changed