I really missed an opportunity. I was in Trader Joe's and asked if there was someone who could help me with my heavy boxes because of my car accident-ed wimpy back and you thought I was talking to you and said "Sure! I can help you!" I was talking to the employee right behind you. You said "Oh, I thought you were talking to me" and we all laughed but then you said "but I'm going out so I'm happy to help". Instead of thanking you and taking you up on it, I was all thrown off and didn't want to put you out so I said "That's OK" and the employee helped me. Weird. I wish I would have taken the opportunity to enjoy a strangers offer of kindness and willingness to get involved. There is never enough of that and I feel like I contributed to the reason there isn't enough of that - that when it is offered it is sometimes rejected. Please know that it was appreciated all the same and thank you.
My Ballard Forum » Open Forum
To the lovely man who offered to help me with my groceries at Trader Joe's
(13 posts)-
lifeisamazing
offlineMemberPosted 10 months ago # -
Cheese
offlineMemberAs Blanch DuBois said, "I've always depended on the kindness of strangers."
Of course those strangers were leading her off to the loony bin, but that's another story.
I'm sure the stranger was OK with that. Kind people, being kind, are the kind of people not to hold grudges and then they let the moment go.
Posted 10 months ago # -
great idea
onlineMemberI buy many of my staples at Safeway and I'm pretty sure the employees are trained to ask if I need help out to my car with my purchase.
they always ask, despite the fact that I am an able-bodied person (or so I hope) and might just be buying just a few items.
one of these days I'm going to say, "sure, can you carry that loaf of bread to my car"
Posted 10 months ago # -
Cate
offlineMemberThat is interesting gi. I was hobbling in QFC today with my cane and had no offer of assistance (I was fine w/out it, a friend was waiting at the Starbucks in the store for me, but it seemed odd). I have seen the QFC on Capital Hill not offer assistance to my 81 year old blind father who uses a cane. Good on Safeway.
Posted 10 months ago # -
Mondoman
offlineMemberCate, I am surprised QFC didn't offer you help. For another perspective, my elderly mother gets offended whenever a checker asks if she needs help! I find both the "never offer" and "always offer" to smack of corporate robotics, but I know there are potential lawsuits lurking just beneath the surface...
Posted 10 months ago # -
Cate
offlineMemberI guess that I don't mind that help wasn't offered, I have a voice and could have asked for help if I needed it as my father could have. It seems an interesting contrast between the corporate culture of Safeway and QFC. I would have thought QFC to be more customer oriented but perhaps not.
Posted 10 months ago # -
teigyr
offlineMemberI think I've always been asked and I'm able bodied. When I was on crutches I had the stupid idea I'd go to the store and I learned it's next to impossible to push a cart and use crutches at the same time. I don't think they asked but I don't really remember. My feeling is they like to ask partially because it's good customer service and also it gets them temporarily out of the task at hand. After standing and standing and standing, it would be lovely to walk.
Posted 10 months ago # -
lifeisamazing
offlineMemberthanks Cheese. You're probably right.
Posted 10 months ago # -
gracie
offlineMemberCate - regarding QFC on 24th NW. Last year I was on crutches following surgery. Trying to be "independent" & thought strong enough to walk around store. First aisle employee came up & said could get me one of those electric carts. I declined saying okay (but could feel myself fading). He suggested it again but my stubborn, independent Norwegian took over. (I'll never learn!) Went to deli to get a salad & guy said I have to put it together & will take five minutes. I said never mind, I'm not going to last that long. He went flying over to Starbucks & got me a chair to sit on. The first guy saw this & came running over asking if I was okay. He thought I was passing out & said I was concerned about you I talked to you because you looked kine of pale. I then greatfully accepted the offer to bring my bag out to car.
Posted 10 months ago # -
SeaSpider
offlineMember"It seems an interesting contrast between the corporate culture of Safeway and QFC. I would have thought QFC to be more customer oriented but perhaps not."
Not a surprise given that QFC is actually the larger of the two. QFC is part of Kroger which makes them, by sales, the second largest grocery chain in America (Wal-Mart is #1). Safeway are only #5. People like to think QFC (and for that matter Fred Meyer) as still being local but they're really not. Costco is third despite having only 1/3 the number of stores as Safeway. BTW Whole Foods and Trader Joes are only 20th and 22nd, respectively.
Posted 10 months ago # -
onederfullone
offlineMemberPeople like to think QFC (and for that matter Fred Meyer) as still being local but they're really not.
Yeah, and it must be a bitch to import all those employees.
I'm surprised they speak english. /sarcasm.
Posted 10 months ago # -
pr
offlineMemberI have seen staff at QFC on several occasions walking with folks that needed help and helping them shop. They would push the cart around, grab items for them and help them go through their list. I think it depends more on the person available rather than corporate culture.
I do have to say though that it seems like Safeway tends to hire people that really don't care about their jobs - and they tell you! I have heard managers say "So what - not my problem!" when someone pointed out something wrong.
Posted 10 months ago # -
onederfullone
offlineMemberAbout Safeway, let me tell you a true story...
ooops, it's already old.
Posted 10 months ago #
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