Once in a while an individual act of pure decency occurs in this big business world that restores my faith in humanity. An act where a manager cares for the person, not just the quota. In this time of economic hardship, people are becoming more and more desperate. Prices continue to rise while pay remains that same. Many upstanding citizens have lost their incomes all together. Every week the situation seems more dire and out of frustration consumers are pushed to their limits. The customers that used to be patient and pleasant are walking into the store defensive and ready to fight. Shoplifting is increasingly popular.
Yesterday we caught some thieves trying to steal stacks of steaks. It's often steaks and beers. While we were discussing this event in the break room I was told by another co-worker, a sweet story of my humble manager. He himself was raised in poverty and this experience has shaped his character for compassion. He demonstrated this compassion one day when a man in need came before him in all honesty. The customer quite bravely, told my manager that he had lost his job and had 2 small children at home. He was quite frank when he explained that he could shoplift but did not want to. He said that he needed a box of cereal, some milk and a package of bologna. His surprisingly honest approach earned him the respect of another human being. My manager told the man to go gather these items. He opened up his own wallet and took out the cash for the desperate father to pay for these few necessities, no questions asked. The week after that the grateful father repaid my manager's act of generosity in full.
These are the quiet stories I love. The simplest deed that often goes untold and unnoticed. The true acts of heroism between two people. Humanity in the truest sense of the word. No fluff. No big corporate shenanagins. No marketing. Just person to person interactions. One man stepping out from behind the counter and out of the uniform. Behind the name badge and titles we are people. We are all affected by this crisis and the only way to survive is if we all pull together, neighbor helping neighbor. It is time to prove that we truly are "your neighborhood store".
