Paying It Forward...

Hi All!
First off, there are several reasons why Anthropologie is one of my favorite stores. Here's just a few:
     ~Reason No. 1~ Everything in there is beautiful, and so beautifully displayed... Yes, they want you to buy things, but they make the process of shopping so darn enjoyable, not to mention the AMAZING window displays (see photo below.)
     ~Reason No. 2~ The customer service is stellar; I never had more than two items in my hand, before a salesperson came over and asked if they could hold it for me. That is such a welcome change from the usual lugging-around of countless hangers until you're ready to try things on/ your arms are about to fall off routine that I find myself following in other stores.
     ~Reason No. 3~ It smells nice. ;)

I've always loved shopping here, even more so after today. Today I came back to Anthropologie to get something I had seen there yesterday while shopping, and had my day made by a complete stranger. I apologize in advance for the lengthy post, I tried to add pictures where I could, but I think it only ended up making it longer...

     Yesterday, I went in with a couple of gift cards, and left with a new dress and top- but not without trying on half of the store first. While I was looking through one of the bins of accessories, etc in the back room (where they have the absolute best sales) I found a bottle of perfume that I had been coveting for a while... at a 50% discount. (It was one of a few "tester"bottles of that perfume in there, but, unlike the others, it was pretty much completely full.) Obviously I had to have it. I had used the gift cards on clothes though, so like any other rational person, I hid it behind one of the boxes and prayed that no-one would get it before I could come back for it. (Perfume falls under the category of things-I-have-more-than-enough-of, and mi madre wasn't there to spot me the cash, which meant I was on my own for this one.)

Just a few...  via Polyvore

    And that's exactly what I did when I came back today. I counted out what I would need, and put it in my wallet. I even calculated and re-adjusted for tax. So I went in to Anthro, found the bottle right where I had left (ok, *hidden*) it, and went to the register. When it came time to pay, I came up $1 short. I was a little irritated with myself for counting wrong, but I was having an "off" day. No biggie: I laughed it off and said something like "Great, I'm in advanced math and I can't even count to ten..." I asked them to hold it for me, and went next door to get the difference from my mom. Then, I went back in, and re-did the checkout process, and even counted out the money one dollar at a time.
     The cashier looked at me and politely told me that I was *again* one dollar short. Now, you've gotta understand, that I thought I was going a little crazy there. I mean, hadn't I JUST been through this? I came up one dollar short before, so I went and got another dollar, only to be told I was still one dollar short. WTF MATH?!? At this point, I was pretty flustered, and I pretty much looked at the lady and was like "You have got to be kidding me." I felt so, so stupid and incapable seeing as how I had apparently either a.) failed to count to ten properly for the 2nd time b.) managed to lose the dollar I had just gotten in the 25 yard walk from my mother to the register.
     I was about to go back to the store where my mom was and ask her for ANOTHER dollar, when the woman in line at the register next to me kindly leaned over, and put a fresh, crisp one dollar bill on the counter in front of me. I was halfway between ecstatic and mortified, and sincerely thanked the woman several times. So I purchased my bottle of perfume, turned to the woman to thank her once more, and left the store in a wonderful mood.

- - - - I actually found the missing dollar in the side pocket of my wallet, later on - - - -

Image via Anthropologie

     The woman who came to my rescue did not witness my first failed attempt at counting, and therefore could have no idea how incomparably stupid I felt in that moment, but her kind gesture completely made my day. It just goes to show that even a small act of kindness can go a long way. Which brings me to "paying it forward."

     That is something I have always believed in, but have not always practiced. Sometimes I hesitate too long, and someone else beats me to the punch. Other times, I may only have enough money to cover the items in my bag. I don't usually carry that much cash on me, and I almost always have a general list of what I want to get, in order to avoid making a spontaneous purchase that I usually regret and end up returning. Next time I find myself waiting at the register with my basket, in line behind someone who's having an "off" day, I could help them out, and just put one of my items back, because, chances are, despite my list, I still picked up something that I really don't need as an afterthought. And, unlike my spontaneous purchases, paying it forward rarely comes with a sense of regret. 
     The fact that I don't keep much money in my wallet goes back to something my grandfather used to say, "Never carry around more than what you can afford to lose," which, being a jobless 16 year old, isn't much. I totally agree with his advice, and have clearly taken it to heart, but, in light of my experience today, I would like to amend it: Never carry more than you can afford to lose, but always carry what you can afford to give.

*Sorry, I know this was really wordy and long. I promise not to do posts like this often. I was just in a really reflective mood, and happened to have my computer in front of me. I'll try to do something fun next time- with lots of pictures!*

**"The last picture of this post was made using ABM app for iPhone**