The other day my neighbor called to ask if I could take her to the store because she didn’t have a car. “Sure”. I said. We agreed on the day and time.
When she knocked on my door I was surprised to see that she had brought her mother, two sisters, three toddlers and a grandma with her. I was more than a little surprised because she had not asked and at the very least I thought she would know I didn’t have car seats or sufficient room for all those people and myself in the car.
I grabbed my purse and the car keys and we walked to the garage. “Would you all please take off your shoes in my car?” I muttered as one of them opened the back door and the toddlers climbed in like monkeys and started jumping on the back seat. I gasped under my breath as one scrambled from the back to the front seat and I watched a dirty shoe make a deep mark on the fine leather my arm rest. Someone muttered something about taking off shoes but they got in with shoes still on ignoring my request.
I walked around to the driver’s side to find my neighbor already sitting in my seat with her hand out. “We have decided that I am going to drive since there isn’t room for everyone so you can stay here.” She grabbed for the keys as I swiped them behind me. “Oh, no. That is not happening!.” I said.
The mother expressed her disgust and the rest chimed in. They all got out of my car and stomped out the door and down my driveway. “We will never ask you for a ride again!” One yelled over her shoulder.
My stomach quivered and my hands shook. My phone rang and I fished it out of my purse. It was my husband. I told him of my experience and he gently talked me out of my hysteria. I actually felt bad like I had somehow caused this fiasco or at least could have seen it coming and been prepared.
Ridiculous, you say? How presumptuous of them? I actually don’t have a really expensive car but I do have a bridal shop full of about $250,000 worth of wedding dresses, formal gowns and other merchandise. This is all my personal property and I would be sued if a someone was hurt in my store. I have seen a child pull mannequins and racks down in their quest for fun.
This scenario is played out in my bridal store about once a week. A bride brings a crowd, often including small children who get bored easily and are allowed to wander or run uncontrolled through my store with little hands that want to touch everything. They love to explore our back room and hide in our racks and the dress bags make nice swings. We ask that our guests remove their shoes in our dressing and mirror area out of respect for our investment and also for the persons who will eventually buy the dresses that are being tried on today. The “no shoes” area helps us keep the gowns clean as the delicate train trails behind to and from the dressing room. We insist that we put the gowns on the bride because our people are trained to put the on and off with the smallest possible detriment to the gown while being very respectful of one’s modesty. We ask that no food be consumed in our store but it is surprising how a sticky piece of candy is given to distract an active child. That sucker in the hands of a child sitting on the lap of an adult can easily be hewn across the room to leave sticky residue on the skirt of an expensive gown. One busy Saturday an adult guest actually opened a yogurt and spewed pink yogurt on the skirt of a bridesmaid dress. At the least we have to pay to clean a gown but often the dress is ruined.
Shopping with several people results in several opinions and loads of confusion. You value their opinion or you wouldn’t have invited them. Even if they invited themselves they feel compelled to weigh in. Often before you yourself have expressed your feelings about the gown you are presently wearing. You thought you loved it but with that comment cousin Sally just made there must be something you aren’t seeing when in reality it has nothing to do with the dress. She is only jealous and wants the spotlight. You want everyone to love your dress as much as you do. Too many opinions often equal frustration and a wasted shopping trip. Demanding guests create imbalance with your consultant and she can’t serve you well. Remember, this is your day and your dress. Just because someone has an opinion doesn’t mean their taste is better than yours.
Back to the reason why we ask that you let us do our job and have requests that might be different from other places you have shopped. The Gallery by Lynette has been a Utah institution for the past 35 years. We rub shoulders with the biggest names in bridal and formal wear all the times. We tap their experience. Lynette knows the designers that we carry personally. She designs for and knows the owners of some of the largest bridal boutiques in the country and she teaches our consultants not only how to show dresses but how to show you the very best dresses for your figure, your budget, your tastes and your venue. Your friends and family love you and have your best interests at heart but they do not know our inventory or what we have available and if you come to our store with an uncooperative group, then you won’t have the best experience possible. We love our customers. We do everything possible to make you happy but we do have reasons why we ask you to take off your shoes, let us dress the bride, and not bring too many people shopping with you and it is all to help make your experience better.
