A man was in my store for over four hours today trying to find gloves. I asked him if I could help and he told me that the seam on the pinky finger of the gloves was slightly crooked - he was visibly having a hard time with that. So he tried on pair after pair after pair of gloves until one was just right (that being said, we did have our boxing day sale today and there were only like 12 pair left). He was completely embarrassed that he'd spent such a long time for such a trivial reason. He said that people thought he was crazy, and he looked defeated as he said it. I reassured him it was fine, and then I said to him, "Don't you worry about anybody else, you just take your time and choose the pair that is right for you. If I'm not bothering you, you are welcome to stay as long as it takes - and if it goes all night, well then, we'll order a pizza!" He was happy that I made a light joke, continued to try on gloves until he found a pair that worked and then went on his way.

I realized in that moment that no matter how shitty my Boxing Day retail life can be, how shitty some people can treat you, and how stressful and hectic it can get, someone else may be struggling over a crooked seam which can feel life ending to them.

I hope that guy really likes his gloves and I hope he comes in to my store again. If nothing else than to feel some acceptance and to say Hello.