This weekend I sell my products together with two English friends at the „Market on the Farm“, just outside Basel, my hometown. The farm is beautifully set in the countryside, with horses and red Angus grazing. The surrounding forest show off their leaves’ colour from yellow, orange and blazing red.
The morning starts with a clouded sky and cold temperatures, but as the day wears on the sun comes out and highlights the autumnal colours.
My focus is on setting up the display with my two ranges of homemade products (food and wellness), talking to new and faithful customers, advising them how to use my products, sharing recipe ideas, inviting them to taste and selling (of course).
The lovely weather draws out many people, walkers, joggers, riders, from young to older couples, families and singles.
Our market is a welcome change as we also offer coffee or tea and some cake and biscuits and we have a very busy day, no break and never stopping to sit down.
In the afternoon there is an old lady slowly walking down the hill towards the farm. She has seen our flyer and wants to buy some special soap for her friend.
It takes her hours to make up her mind, in the end she buys two bars of soap but she does not give the impression of being happy with her purchase. She expresses doubts whether her friend will like her present.
And then she moves over to my food products, long looking and closely examining everything. She tastes my Florentines, admires the perfect shape and the dark chocolate, belittling her own skills and when I tell her that it only needs practice she looks at me avoiding eye contact with a very sceptical expression on her face.
I would like her to leave, she makes me nervous but she demurs not saying much.
And all of a sudden she looks me straight in the eyes and says: “I should leave now, I have been here far too long, but you are the first persons I have spoken to all day.” And a hesitant smile crosses her features and is gone in a second.
And I am glad I have been courteous and nice to her all along. And secretly I am a little bit ashamed of having wished her to leave earlier.
Comments 10
In the end, isn’t it what we do that matters most? And you did just fine.
@oneshoeshy Thanks, Thom, this sums it up so nicely.
Have a lovely week, Barbara
Just goes to show that we don’t always realise how much we impact on another person’s day…and you probably made that old lady very happy although she struggled to show it. Well done you! 🙂
@Lucylastica2 Thanks, Lucy, for your thoughts, my insecure feelings about this situation must show through, do they not? I felt ashamed for my thoughts and impatience, but why let this negativity take upperhand? And keep this in mind for future encounters!
Have a good night, Barbara
FYI – I used to have some bloomers…………
As far as the soap purchase, tell her to let her friend try it out and if she doesn’t like it to bring it back……….doh…….
Yes, until you walk in someone else’s shoes you have no idea of what their life is like. Therefore, don’t be too quick to pre-judge and always treat others like you would want to be treated, right.
There is a good lesson in this story………
@bdorman264 white laces?
I will let the two ladies have some days long discussions and bathing sessions … and maybe next year she will come back and buy some more …
I have learnt my lesson that day (and before)! But I am happy to be aware of those around me and trying to treat them right.
Thanks, appreciate your thoughts (naughty and otherwise), how come you have got an English sense of humour (no offence meant), Barbara
Barbara,
This is lovely! You just never know whose life you may touch today! I can’t remember just when but I know I’ve experienced the same thing! It sound wonderful where you are!
Lori
@Lori Hi Lori,
Thanks and you are right, we all need that awareness towards people.
Switzerland is a wonderful place, autumn is a beautiful season: would you believe me if I said I prefer a place in the South with little changing climates?
Have a great weekend,
Barbara
Well, I am sure that you have brighten up her day, so don’t feel guilty. If only she had been frank from the start and told you that she hadn’t spoken to anyone that day, things might have been different. Maybe we all need to be more honest ?
@JSJ2020 Bonsoir Muriel,
Thanks for your thoughts, I stopped feeling guilty the moment I had written the post. Writing helps me to put things in perspectives.
And I agree with you it would have been easier had she told me from the start, but a woman of her generation probably never learnt to be open and express her feelings. Yes, 100 % pro: we all need to be more honest!
Have a lovely weekend, Barbara