Supermarket sweep
Last week I was at my local supermarket, a well known Greek chain. I picked up a few items that were discounted if I produced my loyalty card. I had left my card at home.
The sales person promptly asked the lady behind me for her card. She used her card to give me the discount, and handed the card back.
Other than 'Oh, I don't have my card' I uttered no other words, and the above transaction took place in a matter of moments.
Gobsmacked, I turned and thanked the behind me, and also the sales assistant,
They both looked at me as though I was thanking them for jumping on my feet.
I left feeling as though I lived in a nice area.
Mr. Lucky came home yesterday with an extra carton of milk. He explained that the day before he forget to pack the milk when he picked up an armload of groceries.
The sales assistant remembered him, and told him when he was at the checkout. She left the till, got the carton of milk, and packed it for him explaining why.
Today, after completing the first of my big 'Christmas supermarket shop' the sales assistant left her post, walked over to the Christmas tree Little Miss and The Baby were admiring, and took down a Santa and Frosty decoration. She gave the decorations to the girls and wished them a Merry Christmas.
In other countries this act of generosity would have been viewed by management as shop lifting. Shocked, I explained this to the shop assistant, she laughed and said, 'those rules don't apply to children, regular customers and loyal staff. We put people before profit.'
Crisis or not, this country constantly amazes me. It's often during mundane chores like supermarket shopping that I am exposed to little acts of kindness, that to the average Greek, is just part of their DNA.
Image: "Piggy Bank And Shopping Basket" by Mister GC courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos
The sales person promptly asked the lady behind me for her card. She used her card to give me the discount, and handed the card back.
Other than 'Oh, I don't have my card' I uttered no other words, and the above transaction took place in a matter of moments.
Gobsmacked, I turned and thanked the behind me, and also the sales assistant,
They both looked at me as though I was thanking them for jumping on my feet.
I left feeling as though I lived in a nice area.
The sales assistant remembered him, and told him when he was at the checkout. She left the till, got the carton of milk, and packed it for him explaining why.
Today, after completing the first of my big 'Christmas supermarket shop' the sales assistant left her post, walked over to the Christmas tree Little Miss and The Baby were admiring, and took down a Santa and Frosty decoration. She gave the decorations to the girls and wished them a Merry Christmas.
In other countries this act of generosity would have been viewed by management as shop lifting. Shocked, I explained this to the shop assistant, she laughed and said, 'those rules don't apply to children, regular customers and loyal staff. We put people before profit.'
Crisis or not, this country constantly amazes me. It's often during mundane chores like supermarket shopping that I am exposed to little acts of kindness, that to the average Greek, is just part of their DNA.
Image: "Piggy Bank And Shopping Basket" by Mister GC courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos
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