Chivalry: part 2

I forgot to mention one thing about the Chivalry and the carrying of the cases: the staff do that for everybody, not just women, not just small men, EVERYBODY gets the personal valet service.

Chivalry Is Not Dead

My husband and I drink different brands of beer.  I like an import in glass bottles and he throws down one of the least expensive canned variety.  He actually went down from one brand to another over price.  But, I digress.
Our division of domestic labor is that I stock the groceries, and he stocks the beer.  We keep each other's favorites and requirements on hand.
But one day I was driving past a really junky looking liquor store with a sign advertising my brand at a really low price.  So I swerved in, determined to take advantage of what was obviously a typo.
What I found was staff who were friendly, who actually made me let them carry my purchase from the cooler to the counter and out to my vehicle.  They were smiling.  They looked me in the eye.
And now, I've been there 3 other times and bought not only my beer, but my husband's, and some other items that we might need someday if we mix up some Italian Margaritas or Captain's Lemonade or some after-dinner coffee drinks.
I've taken over the beer-stocking chore for our household because I love going into this place.  They love seeing me and they make spending my money EASY & FUN.
They have great prices to snag you in.  But read me carefully.  That got me in.  What kept me in and gets me back over and over is the SERVICE.  There is plenty of staff on hand and they actually help you.  They stand out in a good way.  Price is not their differentiator.  Personal service is.

What's Helpful

I subscribe to a lot of newsletters, follow a few blogs, just in general read a lot of tips and taunts to keep in touch and in tune.  I got an e-zine the other day and just thought, "seriously?"
The thing was that I do like getting a positive dose of thought.  I like motivational stuff.  I want to be positive.  I want to be successful.  I figure I've got enough negative, limiting, self-conscious thoughts rattling around in my head, I oughta feed myself with positive stuff as much as I can.
But then this came along and went on for what seemed ages about why I shouldn't watch TV.  I just totally lost it.  And, I unsubscribed.  I mean, really.  The topic, the tone, the length.  It was all too much.
Being too good.  Being too much in control is not what I am about.
I totally don't need that pedantic tone.  I'm really just trying to maintain, trying to try.  Plus, if I wanna watch TV... (and I really wanna watch TV, I am an unaplogetic TV fan) then I will watch.
Don't scold and try to make me feel guilty.  I gotta have some entertainment.  I gotta have some escape.  I gotta get off the treadmill and not feel bad about it.
I don't want to be known as "pinch-mouth".  That was the nickname that my sisters and I gave to one of my aunts.  You totally get the picture, right?  Always serious, always disapproving, always angry about something.  The one that you were afraid of but also wanted to taunt and irritate because it was so easy.
There's plenty of stuff around that is not scolding, but is helpful.  That's what I'm supposed to be too.  What I'm trying to do here is reach for my best, encourage you to reach for your best, and all of us have fun doing that.
So comment, encourage, retweet, forward, and especially scold me when I'm out of line.  Participate with me: let's be excellent or at least aim in that direction.