Be A Kinder Consumer Over The Holidays | Live Lovely

“Thank you so much,” the salesclerk said to me, happy tears forming in her eyes. 

“Why are you thanking me?” I asked.

“You are the first person today that has been kind to me,” the young woman who worked at the jewelry store said to me.

I was in the local mall shopping for a Christmas gift several years ago. It was right before Christmas and nearing the end of the working day for the young woman in the jewelry store. I was astounded. The store was packed with holiday shoppers and the salesclerk had been working a full day shift. She must have spoken to about a hundred people that day, easily more. The store was close to closing, yet she was thanking me for being kind, for being the first person to be nice to her all day. All I had done was thank her for her help with finding the gift I was looking for. I could tell how deeply she was affected. And I wondered to myself, how could so many people interact with this person and not show kindness, politeness, or simple manners? 

It made me sad to think of how many people she had spoken with and how many were rude when they could have just as easily been kind. Kindness is a choice. It has been several years from that moment, but it still sticks with me every time I am shopping at a busy store or for the holiday season. 

I often write about being intentional with consuming material goods on this blog, however, today I want to discuss the emotional impact you have as a consumer, especially around the holidays. Our purchases impact our lives, our wallets, bank accounts, stress levels, the workers who make and process the goods we guy, and the environment, but they also impact people. When you’re out shopping for holiday gifts, groceries, or new attire, our actions and our attitudes have a profound impact on the people around us from other customers next to us to the person at the cash register. 

Our actions have the ability to alter a person’s entire day. 

How many times have you run into a grouchy person in a check-out line that soured your mood? Overheard a cringe-worthy exchange between a customer and a waitress or sales clerk at a store?  Stood next to a complainer at a customer help desk? That person’s negative attitude has the power to dampen your mood, and even emotionally harm the person they are directing their ire at. 

This holiday season, when stores are crowded and lines are long. I urge you to be patient and to be kind. Choose kindness. A simple and genuine “How are you today?” or “Thank you.” is all it takes. Keep negative thoughts or comments to yourself; vent them out later if you have to, but you do not have to take your frustrations out on anyone. It does you no good either. And most of all, when someone assists you in any way, tell that that you appreciate them. You could change their entire day for the better.