Oh yes I remember the elevator operator at the department store, dressed in a neat uniform calling out the floors- "Ladies lingerie, millinery, better dresses!" and smelling so wonderfully of peppermint . Those were the days of customer service with a smile, handwritten sales slips, and usually the saleslady knew your name and size if you were a frequent customer. She would bring back an armful of items to your dressing room "Want to try this dear- shall I get a smaller size?", Then came the praise- "Well now, THAT looks smart- perfect fit, nice color on you". etc.
Selections were laid out for one's inspection like the gifts of the Magi in all their glory! Purchases were tenderly wrapped in soft tissue and laid carefully in a snappy box with the store logo on the top and slipped into crisp paper bags with seasonal greetings imprinted.
I worked in such a department store in Baltimore when I was 17 and the employees had an infirmary, a company nurse, a lounge and reading room and a wonderful cafeteria serving piping hot homemade food to employees for $3.00 on real china with silverware and a cloth napkin. We got a whole hour for lunch and could stretch out and put our feet up in the employee lounge on lovely easy chairs with footstools. We always were called "Miss" by our boss, and shown the greatest respect and courtesy.
Sigh...., yesterday I went into a store , looked in vain for some help, finally found my item and took it up to the cash register where a gum-chomping salesgirl on her cell phone glared at me. After she had finished her call she snapped "Got your card?"- demanded my license, threw my purchase in a flimsy plastic bag and went back to her cell phone.
Oh, it is
hard on us old boomers who remember better days! I recall the more civilized times-
progress -my foot!
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