Manners Matter

Dear Mary Pat,

I work in a jewelry store and just witnessed a really rude thing. Most of our customers are great and have manners. However, there was a lady who was trying a ring on and it got stuck on her finger. Instead of waiting for me to get some hand lotion, she put her whole finger in her mouth to “help it along.” I would expect this from a kindergartner, but not a 45-year-old woman, and not with a $2,500 ring. Wouldn’t it be fairly obvious that new merchandise should not be put in someone’s mouth?

Signed,

Oral Fixation?

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Dear Oral Fixation?,

Yes, I should hope that it would be an obvious thing not to put your finger in your mouth while trying on a ring. It’s a bad enough faux pas at the local rib joint when people lick their fingers free of BBQ sauce, but come on lady! What was she thinking? I don’t care if it is a $2,500 ring or a $20 ring, this is a HUGE breach of etiquette, and common sense quite frankly. Who wants to be the one to handle that ring?

Just when I think that we are making some progress as a polite society, something like this happens and makes me doubt my fellow man, or in this case, clueless lady. You were in an awkward position as a salesperson since you want to make your customers feel comfortable, but there is a limit. If this happens again (and for the sake of society at large I certainly hope it doesn’t) you should have a paper towel ready along with a bottle of rubbing alcohol. That should hopefully demonstrate the point, however, I don’t think the type of customer you are describing responds to subtlety. You are going to make a face that fully shows your shock and horror (practice in the mirror if necessary) and make some sort of strangled sound while clenching your teeth and breathing in. Maybe the customer will get the hint that he or she should use lotion, soap or Windex instead. And hopefully, you will get the sale as well.

Good luck,

Mary Pat