Yesterday I went to the mall to do some errands and I stopped to talk to one of the kiosk vendors. Yes, the dreaded people who chase us down the mall with exotic hand cream and inventive curly shoe laces. Normally I would not make eye contact, as I have been trained, but I was in a different place this day.
I spent several minutes conversing, mostly listening, and bargaining as I really did want to buy his product, your supposed to bargain right? When he began grumbling a bit about “everybody wants a discount” I told him that I give all of my customers a discount. It makes them happy. He asked me what is it that I do and I told him about the jewelry that I make, showing him the necklace and earrings that I was wearing. Before I know it I had an agreement with the kiosk vendor’s partner to sell my jewelry in his watch and jewelry store.
It is a beautiful store front with a brand new lighted jewelry display case that every women who walks out of Macy’s will see. They had just bought and installed this case because they wanted to start selling jewelry, unique handmade jewelry and they had no idea where they were going to get some…
So it was indeed a wonderful day because I was present, I took a little time to connect with a human being that I had walked past many many times without making eye contact, concerned that he wanted something from me. The reality was that he had something to give me in that right place and right time.
