Today I was in Pier 1 with a friend.  I commented on the cute UNICEF Christmas cards to my friend.  Another shopper said, “Too bad they kill babies.”  I smiled, but didn’t say anything to her.  The sale’s clerk told me how the money each box of cards helps provide clean water for over a hundred children.  The previous lady started in on killing babies again–keep in mind she was not apart of our conversation in any way.  I looked at my friend and told her all that commotion about it made me want to buy cards.

Guess who was listening?  Same lady, she went on yelling at my friend and I about it was her right to say what she wanted to say.  My friend, who is very outspoken, kept it together.  We never engaged this woman at all.  Although, she returned with another friend both yelling through the store that UNICEF kills babies and that abortion is wrong.

I was looking at cards.  I think it would have been less odd to feel compelled to tell a stranger–Hey I think UNICEF supports some things I don’t agree with, like abortion.  It let’s me know her point of view and she let’s her feelings be known.  I would have smiled and moved on with my shopping.  This turn of events of yelling without any dialogue from the other side was odd.  The poor sales clerk was very shaken up over the whole thing.  She kept apologizing to us.  When we walked out of the store, I expected to be greeted by those women with more information.

I am very tolerant of other’s opinions.  Let them be known, tell me what you think.  I don’t mind hearing things I don’t necessarily agree with, but this whole shopping experience left me baffled.

1. Judith Says:
   October 19th, 2009 at 4:47 pm

   Unbelieveable. Completely tactless and without effect (other than upsetting a salesclerk and annoying/baffling you). Reminds me of John Mayer’s song, Belief, which begins:

   Is there anyone who
   Ever remembers changing there mind from
   The paint on a sign?
   Is there anyone who really recalls
   Ever breaking rank at all
   For something someone yelled real loud one time