Dear friends,
I had a very interesting experience at EW some months ago. I was at the front desk when I heard a woman on her cell phone near our gorgeous fountain. She was a bit loud, but I felt to let it go for a little bit. When it became clear this was to be an extended call, I approached her. I pressed my palms together in a pranam and said, "I am so sorry, but maybe you can take this call right outside? We try to keep a quiet environment for others so they can enjoy the store.” She simply walked to another part of the store and continued her call. I gave it another minute or two and started walking over towards her—she saw me—and she hung up.
I was at the front desk a minute or two later and she came up in a huff. “I have never been treated so rudely. I insist on seeing the store manager!” I simply whirled around in a 360-degree spin, put my arms out in a “ta-da!” gesture and said, “You're looking at him!” At that moment a customer who had witnessed the entire exchange from start to finish and was right near us said, “I heard what he said, which was perfectly kind and polite. You're the one who is out of line. At the moment he approached you I was hoping someone would ask you to get off your phone.” The angry customer looked at me and said, “I will never be back here!” I said, “Great!” and she left. We do not need people disturbing our sanctuary here, and there are plenty of other stores to choose from. Respect for others is a hallmark of East West.
The kind customer proceeded to make her purchases, and I insisted on giving her a discount on her purchases. She resisted and I said, “Thank you for stepping forward. Sometimes bad energy is given a free ride if people of good spirit watch and say nothing. This discount is a thank you from East West and from society, which can really use some positive energy and pushing back on unkindness in a centered and calm way right now.”
I have to say, after the customer spoke up I thought, “This is like a contrived TV show or something." How delightful that things like this happen in real life sometimes.
Blessing,
David G., manager
for the Gang at East West