COURTESY ALERT: this is a long post. If you don't have the time or inclination, please don't feel obligated to read further. I'll totally understand.

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After being cut off in mid-sentence 4-5 times, asked questions I was not allowed to fully answer, and being treated to verbal bullying and condescension in a frustrating 6-minute phone call that ended with me being hung-up on, I walked into Monroe Pharmacy today with a prescription I was trying to fill for my wife. Follows, my 2nd exchange with said establishment:

[Counter attendant]: Can I help you, sir?
[Me]: "I hope so. I'd like you to direct me to the pharmacist who was part of  a particularly frustrating phone call I had about 10 minutes ago."
[He, standing next to the attendant]: "That would be ME. As I recall, I specifically asked you if this was an original, first-time prescription being called in at the beginning of our conversation, did I not?"
[Me: "Yes, you did... and I tried to tell you that I didn't know-"
[He]: "And then, I asked you if you had an account with our store, didn't I?"
[Me] "Yes... and when I tried to explain that perhaps I did, and that my wife didn't- "
[He]: "And then, I asked you if the prescription was written on an official Rx form-  didn't I?"
[Me]: " (My God... it's happening again....) Yes. You did. And when I tried to tell you-"
[He]: "So- what's the problem, then? Let's see the scrip."

At that point, he extended his hand, palm-up... and did the 2-wag, "hand it to me" gesture....without even making eye contact with me.

I stood there, without extending that piece of paper even one inch in his direction.
In fact, I then flexed my elbow, sending the piece of paper upward... as if to say: "Psyyyyche!"

[Me]: "Oh, I'm sorry... you must be under the impression that you still have my business. I actually came in here as a courtesy... to tell you face-to-face why you've actually LOST my business... AFTER 20 YEARS. I don't give my money to people who treat me with arrogance and condescens-""

[He]: " Well... you're always free to take your business somewhere else..."

BOOM.

At that point, even the other employees stopped to see what might happen next.

[Me]: "Well... thanks for YOUR permission to take MY business somewhere else.... but you again interrupted my courtesy..."

By now, my voice is rising to the point that everyone within 20-30 feet can hear it... another 2-3 decibels, and the police may have been called, as I continued:

"I think I'll just go... RIGHT. ACROSS. THE STREET... and start giving MY LOCAL MONEY to the national chain*  that's pushing Your Mom & Pop shop OUT OF BUSINESS. It's something I NEVER do, when I have a decent local option. Know what, dude? You might be a good pharmacist- but you absolutely SUCK at customer relations. I won't spend another DIME in this dive of yours- and I won't even come in here to get the discounts when you hold your 'going out of business' sale. I'm done here. Good luck in the future."

[He, with a sarcastic tone]: Thank you.... 'sir.' "
[Me, with equal 'snark' in my voice]: "It was my pleasure."

Damn.

I got sucked into an "Alpha Male" fight- with a total stranger I'd never seen before. In 20 years of doing business with this local establishment, I've never once before dealt with this guy. All of his personnel have always interacted with me well... until today- when I met this imperious, supercilious individual.  

"The customer is always right?" [smirks]

I worked in retail. The customer ISN'T always right. I've always known better, from personal experience. Sometimes, they're rude. Sometimes, they're overbearing. Most of the time, they're totally ignorant of the things you know, as a person 'in the know.' But I also know this: In a town of any size, customers have the option of trading where they please... and 'customer loyalty' is always fostered by a reputation of service and attentiveness.

In businesses/services that deal in human health, it's been shown- time after time- that those who actually LISTEN to their clients are the ones who routinely provide the best care/service. I saw it first-hand, as I watched one of my very closest friends run his father's drug store as the Primary Pharmacist/store boss for almost 5 years. In almost daily exposure to that arm of retail, I NEVER ONCE saw him treat a customer as I was treated today.

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I HATE it when I allow others to bring out the worst in me. It diminishes my ability to control who I am and what I allow from myself as a person. I only share this with you all because it's the first time in over 2 decades that I've actually behaved like this in public, and I need to mark this date (personally AND publicly) so that I keep that part of me in check. Today, I knowingly and purposefully 'made a scene' in public.

My Parents would be mortified at my behavior today. I am personally mortified, as well. I was raised better than this.

Over the years, I've grown myself a long fuse... because I know that it's attached to a very big charge. I'm an ugly Human Being when my C-4 goes off.  Shit gets damaged when I get pissed. PEOPLE get damaged.

I don't want this for my life. I don't wish to be defined by this ugliness that lurks inside me. The throbbing in my head, the out-of-control feeling- that acrid, bilious taste in the back of my throat- all are reminders of the worst decisions I've ever made in my life. I came very close to reliving those days today. This dude was lucky. He's lucky because I'm now 57, instead of 27. Nobody deserves treatment like this... when he's only trying to conduct business and learn something along the way) during a normal day In The Life.

I was taught the rules of 'common courtesy' at the same time I was taught my A-B-C's. I honor My Parents' lessons as best I can in my everyday dealings. I do my best to treat everyone I meet with the basics of regard and decorum. I was also taught to not allow myself to be treated like someone's personal doormat. Today was one step over the personal line I draw for myself... and I took a stand.
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Story Upside: I immediately opened an account across the street, was treated with courtesy and efficiency.... and when I returned after running the rest of my errands, got to drive away with my wife's prescription- in less than 2 minutes, without leaving my air-conditioned car... courtesy of their drive-through service.

To: Monroe Pharmacy's Head Pharmacist/Perhaps Store Owner (whatever your real name is...): this divorce didn't have to happen... but I'm actually O.K. that it did:

1. You taught me something about myself... something I can work on, to make myself better.
2. You showed me a Prime Example of whom I don't want to be, whenever I interact with others.
3.. You showed me that 'walking away from an asshole' immediately puts distance between me and the smell it usually produces.

Life goes on,
Clemmy.


*National chain: CVS.