Suum cuique

Someone came to the store this morning, somewhat panting and in haste to get himself a 150g pouch of tomato sauce. I'm guessing the rest of the food is already stewing in his pot at home so he can't afford to sustain a conversation with a persistent seller. Since well, you guessed it right -- I didn't have what he was looking for, I naturally offered the 200g tomato sauce, because well -- bigger is better, isn't it? No. He doesn't like it. "Well then, how about this tomato paste? Same size as the one you need but a little pasty". No? "It's too sour." you say. Ugh. Maybe I'm not being persuasive enough.

I then proceed on instructing him on the merits of a tomato paste and how it's very "workable" to your desired taste and consistency with a little help from water (or maybe even sugar). No? Wow, talk about a hard sell!

Oh, off you go then. Try the next store. May the odds be ever in your favor! And oh, maybe you should run a little faster, remember the pot at home!

As a lost sale trots away, I mutter to myself "Suum cuique". To each his own, indeed. To each his own.

A few minutes after, I grabbed my pen and "Must Buy" list and gently scribbled "4. Tomato sauce 150g". I looked outside my store window almost thinking out loud, "One day soon you'll come running here for a 150g tomato sauce, and unlike today, I'd be more prepared. You'll see."

Tomorrow is another day, my friend. There's no telling what people might ask from you in the future, but if you find yourself lacking and unprepared, you can always rethink, reinvent and regroup. But never, and I say never retreat, never retire. You know you're better than that.

Love always,

Rainy Days and Mondays

It's 7:22 PM. It's been raining non-stop since yesterday and it's getting harder and harder to keep ourselves warm and dry here in Laguna. But I feel even worse for my customers who have to leave the comfort of their homes to buy supplies like food and cellphone load. If only there was a better way of serving them -- door-to-door delivery perhaps? Ah, yes. Soon. I hope.

For now, all I have to share is a smile of gratitude and some small talk to keep their minds off the rain and rising gutter waters. While a small sari-sari (variety) store like mine can't offer them rainy day sales or loyalty points, I know that staying open and reliable in this dreary weather is a small but welcome relief to them. So here I sit, inside looking out, manning this rain-drenched little store waiting for the next customer not just to ring a sale, but most especially to touch a heart.

Stay warm and dry everyone! <3

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