Column: Treating each other the way we want to be treated during the holidays – Duncan Banner

The countdown to Christmas is nearing single digits. Just a handful of shopping days left. With the time crunch comes the hustle and bustle of everyone buying those last minute gifts for their loved ones. Stores are packed. Stock is limited on those must have items. Tempers begin to flare when an item cant be found. People huff and puff when they arent helped immediately. Blame is placed on retail workers who are working tirelessly to keep up with demand. Rants are taken to social media complaining about the business rants that can be dangerous to small, locally owned businesses.

That is why this year we would like to provide a friendly reminder that retail workers are humans too. Most of them are trying their best to please every person that walks through their door. Theyre working extremely long hours during the holiday season and some of them for not the greatest of pay.

Let me say right here that regardless of what retail workers (including wait staff and fast food workers) get paid, no one gets paid enough to be screamed at, sometimes for things they cant even control. No one deserves to be cursed at or belittled for working a job that is providing income to feed and clothe their families. Even when complaints arise, theres a more fitting way to resolve the issue. Talk to a manager or owner. Let them know why youre upset, but do so in a way thats respectable. More often than not, you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

These workers are people who deserved to be treated as such with dignity and respect. I will leave you with this thought. The Golden Rule most of us were taught as youngsters; Matthew 7:12 says, So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

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Column: Treating each other the way we want to be treated during the holidays - Duncan Banner