I read the story of the "old white lady", and besides the "stereotyping" I found the entire encounter rather a sad commentary on our society today, particularly towards the elderly generation. I'm an "old white lady", I found the author of that encounter and the commenters were also rather selfish. You see, I would've seen this as an opportunity to help someone...an act of kindness. I see no greater reward than helping out someone even if they are old and grouchy. They will usually be grateful and their attitude changes. We can have a good laugh at their mistake letting each of us go through the rest of our day feeling good. It's not an only entitlement (all races and ages) I see a rampant lack of respect and kindness.
#1
Of course I would help (if they're not snarky). We need help on occasion & employees aren't always readily handy. There's always something on a top shelf in say Walmart that we just can't reach. So we look around for someone taller than us & ask for help. The person usually chuckles & always helps us. What goes around, comes around I'm happy to say plus there's always a tall guy around 🌻
2points
#2
I regularly get approached by lost husbands in the grocery store. They will show me the list their wife gave them and ask if i know where things are. I always help them if I can. Like someone else said, what comes around goes around. I routinely need help reaching items off of top shelves and have to ask tall strangers to help me.
1point
#3
Yes, I have and will continue to do so. My favorite example:
- I was at an electronics store, and ironically, I was dressed exactly like their employees (polo shirt and khaki slacks). I was walking past the computers when a little old lady stops me and says "Excuse me, Sir. Can you tell me the difference between these two laptops? I'm buying one for my grand-daughter and I don't know the first thing about computers..." Without skipping a beat, I immediately started a side-by-side comparison of the two, asking what her grand-daughter was interested in, explaining gaming laptops vs office laptops, processing speeds, storage capacities, etc. She thanked me for my time, said I was very helpful, made her choice and left the aisle. I turned around, and the ACTUAL store employee was standing right behind me. I apologized, and he laughed and said, 'no apologies needed, I couldn't have explained any of that any better', and then gave me a 20% 'employee' discount on my purchase.
1point
#4
Yes! Once I was shopping at a local Nitori and a kid (holding his mother's hand) came up to me and asked, 'Do you know where I can find the dinosaur plooshies?' in a very shy and quiet voice. I was struck by cuteness and led him to the soft toy aisle :D
1point
#5
Yes.
I would help them find an employee.
1point
#6
Yes! At Museum of Science and Industry for evening Christmas event had stranger come up to me and ask directions to a particular exhibit. I knew the answer, it cost nothing to give it, and I spent rest of evening enjoying event even more.
0points
#7
I would, as long as they are nice. If they come up to me screaming "you lazy employee! You aren't meant to be doing that! Help me!!" I would definitely not help them.
But if they were nice and asked kindly for help I would just say "oh, I'm not an employee, but I can try to help"
But if they were nice and asked kindly for help I would just say "oh, I'm not an employee, but I can try to help"
0points