I was on my way home and made a last minute decision to run into Giant Eagle for a few groceries. Our store is known as “Cedar Avenue” and it is one of the independent stores that is not part of the corporate retain chain. Connected, but not the same.
After rushing around the store and ending up with a basket full of nothing I probably really needed, I realized I had 12 items on the nose and headed for the shorter line at the Express register.
At first, the slowness didn’t sink in because I was searching for my Giant Eagle card, my wallet, checking a text message, etc while I waited. Then I looked up because it seemed a little too slow. That’s when I saw what was happening.
An older gentleman was making some purchases and having difficulty with his debit card. He tried a few times, but was genuinely puzzled by the chip v slider distinction. The cashier, whom I later learned is named Elizabeth, very patiently and respectfully tried to talk him through it. When that didn’t work, she came around the register and again with respect and courtesy asked if she could try to slide his card for him. No luck.
The line grew behind me with one person ahead of me. I stacked my items on the belt and caught my breath. It was apparent this gentleman could not remember his pin so Elizabeth helped him brainstorm how to pay and he realized he had enough cash. She packed him up and sent him about his day.
Then she turned with the same courtesy and politeness to the much younger man in front of me who was buying 12 sports drinks. And then to me.
I told her that I appreciated both her kindness and the respect she showed the older customer. She looked at me (while briskly scanning and bagging my items) and said “I hope God sends people to be kind to me when I’m that age.”
And I am not exaggerating when I say that I teared up a bit. I thanked her again and emphasized that I was sure people tended to tell when they were displeased with her service. She smiled at me and then we both realized that one of my bakery items had no sticker.
She was still very cool when she asked someone to run back and check on the price (I don’t think this store has phones.) After a few seconds, I told her that I didn’t really need that item and didn’t want to hold up the line, as long as it wasn’t inconvenient to reshelve it. She smiled at me and made me feel like the whole world was about me for that one brief moment, that she cared about making sure I felt the same respect and consideration she had shown to the older gentleman (and the other customers.)
I have already called the store to tell them how much I appreciated the way Elizabeth does her job – both for my unknown older neighbor and for myself. I’m going to write her a letter.
I’m confident this is how she is every day and probably why she’s on the express line during that time of day. And that is the best thing of all – she treats all of us like she would want to be treated.
We’ve been crouched in fear for over three weeks and with good reason as the hate and ugliness are fully unleashed on us. I’ve been struggling to use my tools, to find meaning and to figure out how the heck I’m going to survive for four years like this. Elizabeth’s work ethic reminds me that there are a lot of good people here in Pittsburgh who will continue to be good people, come what may. There are people who live their values and walk the walk every single day, regardless of whether we are an older black man who forgot a pin number or a middle aged white lesbian who picked up the item without a price tag.
Elizabeth made me realize that, at least sometimes, it might be okay.
I am not posting a photo of Elizabeth because I didn’t ask her permission. I don’t want this to be a “service person was kind” porn post. But most of the time when Cedar Avenue Giant Eagle makes the news or headlines or social media mentions, it is for negative reasons. It is not a well-maintained store, the staff are not unionized and it just seems like the owners don’t really care about investing in any of us who shop there at all (or work there.)
Elizabeth clearly defies that standard and does invest herself in all of us. I wish the corporation would reward her and incentivize all employees with union membership and better conditions. That’s a win/win for the entire community.
I may have to settle for Elizabeth receiving some sort of employee recognition for exceptional customer service. She deserves it. (She also deserves $15/hour for sure.)
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It’s good to be reminded that the good people will continue doing good things, no matter what.
Thank you. That did my heart some good.
There are some highlights in your blogs that are great points. The only point of view your readers are honestly getting is yours. I thinks you should actually have a sit down with the owners and speak to them. they are very great people and despite not being a union store they treat their employees like they are family. In your blog your putting one person up while putting everyone else down. she has great customer service skills we all understand that those who shops at the giant eagle on Cedar Ave. But you put down the whole store. There is just no way I would praise you for the blog you wrote. you wrote good and bad things and then you just complete went of context. in this day in age nobody cares what your sexual orientation is now if your old black white or just about anything. sometimes you just have to know you good you good cashiers and you will get your bad cashier. but you should know they probably don’t teach them how to be rude. that they learn from the ignorant customers they may get at sometimes. how does that line go “treat others the way you would want to be treated”. your blog is ignorant. yes its used in the right way. your lacking some knowledge in your blog. but I respect that some finally did recognize someone at the Giant Eagle Store on Cedar Ave
There are some highlights in your blogs that are great points. The only point of view your readers are honestly getting is yours. I thinks you should actually have a sit down with the owners and speak to them. they are very great people and despite not being a union store they treat their employees like they are family. In your blog your putting one person up while putting everyone else down. she has great customer service skills we all understand that those who shops at the giant eagle on Cedar Ave. But you put down the whole store. There is just no way I would praise you for the blog you wrote. you wrote good and bad things and then you just complete went of context. in this day in age nobody cares what your sexual orientation is now if your old black white or just about anything. sometimes you just have to know you good you good cashiers and you will get your bad cashier. but you should know they probably don’t teach them how to be rude. that they learn from the ignorant customers they may get at sometimes. how does that line go “treat others the way you would want to be treated”. your blog is ignorant. yes its used in the right way. your lacking some knowledge in your blog. but I respect that some finally did recognize someone at the Giant Eagle Store on Cedar Ave