This is a story... not an exceptional one, but a story all the same... and one I want to tell because as I mentioned a few days ago, I've been a bit 'down' lately.
I don't know about you people, but in the general population, I'm considered 'short' at 5'4 (could have shrunk to 5'3 by now, but I'm sticking with 5'4). My husband, kids, and even my daughter (at 5'8) tower over me.
To be honest, I've always considered myself 'average height'... but when buying jeans, it is difficult to find them that aren't at least 4 inches too long. Recently I've taken to buying those that actually say 'short'... does it help? NO! They're still at least 3 inches too long.
Now I don't sew... yes, I quilt, but don't actually do sewing by hand. So, when I try to fix these myself, it's sad and not something one could wear in public. So, if needed, I take them to a cleaners who usually have an alterations person available. This time the cleaners employee we went to (since we hardly ever use any cleaners since retired) was almost rude. No smile, just a flat "No, sorry alterations lady on vacation". When I asked if she possibly knew anyone else who could help me, she just shook her head and walked away.
So, we went home and I googled alterations near me. Found a place really close that wanted $30 to hem my jeans (...they only cost me $22?). That was a no go on principle alone. Next I googled other cleaners near me... and found one fairly close. They didn't answer their phone so I couldn't call them to check price, but we got in the car and headed over. Big place, clean, looked well run... little Asian man came out and asked to help. Told him what I needed done and asked the price. We had a little 'language' trouble, but he was so kind and cheerful, that I didn't mind. He made a phone call and checked his computer and came back with $17??? Like "Is that OK?" I smiled and said, "Fine"... and we talked a bit. He was so nice that I left there feeling better than I had in days. Told DH we're using this cleaners from now on!!
I guess my point here is how someone's disposition and/or smile can make or break your day...
Have a good one! : )
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Rian, I enjoyed your funny, sweet story and I'm going to put it to good use--I have a new neighbor moving in next door to me today, and I will remember to greet them with a friendly smile instead of a wary frown! You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDug, I hope your new neighbor becomes a new friend. It's amazing what a smile can do. But I will admit that I don't find it easy to smile at strangers...
Deleteoooooh i TOTALLY get this, i am exactly the same way!! and the same height 5'4" and a maybe 5'3" but if you won't tell, i won't either!!!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I think you're much friendlier than me... at least you seem so from your pictures and your activities. And yes, we tend to shrink as we age, so we could possibly get even shorter.
DeleteThis resonates on so many levels. I was short. At fourteen I was 5 foot (and a half). I really wanted to reach five feet two. And then. When I turned fifteen I grew eight inches in a year - and a little over two the following year. So I have looked at life from both the short and the tall.
ReplyDeleteAnd a big YES to attitudes making or breaking a day. Common courtesy sadly isn't common these days and that first cleaner was just rude. I am so glad that the second was cut from a different cloth and I would be going back to them too.
EC, you grew 8 inches in a year... and then 2 more? I don't think I ever grew taller past 14. That's amazing. I was taller than my sister though... she was 5'2.
DeleteAnd yes, we will be going back to that cleaners. He may never know that he really made my day.
It had a downside. My growth spurt meant that my bones needed a LOT of calcium. And my teeth suffered. The year I stopped growing I had to have a lot of fillings - something I hadn't needed before.
DeleteI was 5'3" for decades, and then... now I am 5'1" (and a half!). Love the story of your new cleaners. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan, you know they say that Yoga stretches your spine and keeps it from shrinking... don't know if that's true... but you may be 5'3 again yet! ; )
DeleteThis is so true that meeting someone with a happy or charming disposition goes a long way in brightening our days. I am 5'4" and find jeans that are the right length; good you found a tailor to shorten yours. If you email me I will tell you the brands.
ReplyDeleteI may do that, Terra. But it could be that although we're both 5'4, your legs are longer than mine. But I'd love to check out the brands. Thanks.
DeleteI'm 5'2" and I have the same issue. I've taken to buying "tall" capris as they reach my ankles! There is a alterational shop in a nearby mall and the last time I had jeans hemmed, they charged me $5 for the pair. But I suspect the price is higher now as it has been some time.
ReplyDeleteBut you are absolutely correct - I'm more likely to return to a business when they've been courteous and friendly. As for answering the phone...that seems to be a big issue with so many places these days.
Last time I had a pair of jeans hemmed at a cleaners, Mae, they charged $10... and yes, everything is higher now. And I generally buy 'boot leg' not capris or straight - which make them even harder to find.
DeleteWe have a local cleaner who has a sewer on site who can do anything. She has done magic on my double breasted coat's buttons. Of course, I don't live there anymore.
ReplyDeleteWe had a lady that sewed for us growing up. I remember her well and she was very reasonable. Of course that was a long time ago.
DeleteThat is definitely a story worth the telling. We all need to realize how much a smile or a kind word can have a positive impact.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga. It didn't seem very important... except to me. It really made my day.
DeleteRian, so true!! Just one person's attitude can make or break a day. So many of us are being pushed to the down side with the world in such disarray. I am so happy for you and how about a photo of the hem job?
ReplyDeleteTabor, I will post a pic of the hem next time. Looks fine... definitely better than I could do.
DeleteOh Rian, I love this story. So glad you told it. An unfriendly person can ruin my day. Boy do I understand about getting shorter! Because of osteoporosis I have lost 3" in height. It drives me crazy not being able to reach things on the grocery shelves, and even in my cabinets at home. Dan picks at me about being so short. I was 5' 5" and now 5' 2". We have the sweetest little Asian girl who runs the dry cleaners in town. Her mother does the alterations. When I pull in and park (which is rare) the Asian girl runs out, bows two or three times, and opens the car door for me. It's the sweetest thing.
ReplyDeleteYou lost 3 inches, Henny? That seems like a lot. At one point I had a nurse tell me I was 5'3 (instead of 5'4) and said that it wasn't unusual to shrink with age. Then a year or so later, another told me I was 5'4 again - and told that taking Yoga may have stretched me back...??? (Hmm-mm)
DeleteOh yes! Absolutely! A rude proprietor would totally turn me off. I had no idea it cost so much to shorten pants. I don't quilt, but I'd sure grateful for my sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteKay, I guess we have to accept that 'it cost so much' to do anything these days.
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