IS IT ALL ABOUT A BIG CHRISTMAS TREE
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| A mediocre pic of a beautiful big tree |
Initially, I started this post thinking about Christmas and the Christmas tree. Then, my mind started wandering around the time I saw the first big Christmas tree in USA. It was many years ago, but my yearning for a big Christmas tree never dissipated. At first, I adored the real trees -- they were raised in farms to be sold for Christmas. They make kids and families happy; they keep the presents under their branches; they fill the rooms with the unique scent of tree freshness. Then, I discovered the faux ones in the stores and malls. The expensive ones were so well made, you cannot tell them from the real ones. You can touch them and still wonder...
There is something about big real trees which makes me feel awkward. It happens when time comes for their "garbage" collection. I never got to terms with the idea that a tree can be garbage. This may defy any logic, but the garbage collection of the trees does not suit me. Just like that -- they are used, and useless. Have to go....
This is how I ended up having a 10 feet faux tree.
My husband and I were looking for a faux tree for quite some time. Finally, we found that big boy in a local plant nursery. He looked like Douglas fir. His price tag was at the level he totally deserved -- $500. We were not ready for such an investment. I still kept hoping, "there may be a sale soon." Isn't what all Americans hope for all the time. I am an American, too. I have to believe in the miracle of the price story.
It paid off. Two days before Christmas, there was a sale. The price of the tree was down to $50. How did this tree ended up being 90% off?
It was a steal!!! We bought it right away. I paid. It was all set and done. While my husband was trying to move the car outside, an old lady appeared with her husband. She said, "this tree is mine!" I responded, "the tree was sitting here with no sign that it has been sold to you." She solicited the help of the customer service guy.
"Didn't I tell you to hold the tree for me?"
The guy was cornered. Are you going to admit to one customer you did not do your job at a time when the other customer has already paid? How can you turn down an old lady? Besides, this was the only tree of that size.
None of us, the women, were thinking of settling the case easily or negotiating a deal with customer service.
My husband was already back. He realized my gloves were off (in hockey lingo), I was getting ready to take off the helmet. The husband of the old lady knew his wife even better. She was not a quitter and she wanted her tree.
It seemed to me that the two husbands had decided "to watch the game." All they needed was a couch and some beer. At the end of this nonsense, a manager was called. He was smarter. He gave me the tree, while the old lady ended up with a free tree, 8 foot tall.
I did not end up only with a tree. I ended up with a story about her, a feisty little lady, who stood up for her rights as a customer.
For 10 years now, the big tree is on display in the house right after Thanksgiving. It stays til the end of January. I decorate it beautifully; some decorations break, some are getting old. Just like in life....
I deeply regret what I did. All I had to do was to explain to her:
"I never had a big Christmas tree in my life."
She would have understood.
