Emma, my dear wife, felt that a career in retail would be the ideal fit for her interests and set out to find one. She noticed a renowned lingerie business was recruiting one day when she was at the mall; the announcement was posted on a poster outside the store. Emma entered the store with excitement and made an attempt to talk to the sales clerk. But the assistant didn’t pay attention to her until she was almost directly in front of her. The sales assistant gave Emma a snide look and said, “Look, I don’t think you’re pretty enough for this job.” Emma then asked how she might apply for the job.
NOT A CHANCE. Don’t even attempt it. Emma was so distraught that she came home crying. Observing her in that state shattered my heart. But then rage won out. Nobody can treat my wife that way and get away with it—I really mean nobody. I made up my mind to impart a lesson on the sales assistant that she would never forget.Organizing the Ideal Retaliation A few days later, I went to the same lingerie store and claimed to be a major customer, making sure the same assistant was present. I looked well put together and gave off a richness and confidence vibe. The sales assistant, whose name tag said “Sophia,” gave me a fake smile as soon as I went in; her behavior was entirely different from how she handled Emma. “Sir, good afternoon. She sang a little, “How can I help you today?” I told her I was looking for a special gift for my wife, and I put on my prettiest smile. In sharp contrast to her previous hostility, Sophia gladly started displaying me numerous stuff. I listened intently and pretended to be impressed, but on the inside I was fuming silently. In an attempt to keep her busy, I quizzed her on the greatest sellers, the materials, and the quality.The Disclosure Following thirty minutes or so of perusing, I commented in passing, “You know, my wife was here the other day.” She was trying to get employment. A brief flash of recognition crossed Sophia’s face, but she covered it up fast. “Oh really? How fantastic,” she murmured, attempting to keep her demeanor formal. Yes, I said, but she was really upset when she got home. She informed me that she was told she wasn’t “pretty enough” to work here at the business by someone. Sophia lost all color in her face. “Oh, um, I’m not sure who would have said that,” she mumbled. As you can see, we have very high requirements. “Excessive expectations?” With an eyebrow raise, I repeated. “Or just the superficial ones?” Her pain was evident, but my work was far from over. “You see, my wife is stunning on the inside as well. Furthermore, she didn’t deserve to be treated with such humiliation.Sophia’s gaze flew about, searching for a way out. I lowered my voice and leaned in a little. “I would like to talk with your manager.” Delightful Fairness The manager, Lisa, a well-dressed woman, showed up on time. I told the whole story again, highlighting the insult and how it affected my wife. As she listened, Lisa’s expression hardened. She said, “I’m very sorry to hear about this.” “We do not support this kind of conduct. Sophia, would you kindly enter my office? As Sophia trailed behind Lisa, her face flushed bright crimson. I knew that my retaliation was already underway, so I waited patiently. Lisa reappeared after a short while, profusely apologizing and extending an earnest invitation to Emma to reapply. Lisa assured him, “We’ll make sure she gets a fair and kind interview.” The Repercussions I shared everything with Emma when I got home. I urged her to try again even though at first she was apprehensive because she was still hurt from the first encounter. She reluctantly gave in. Emma returned to the store a week later for her interview. This time, Lisa and the other employees gave her a warm welcome. Sophia had vanished from view. After Emma was hired, I made it a point to see her frequently and always with a grin. She did well in her new position and gained confidence every day. Sophia was moved to a different branch that was far away from us. It was justice done. Now that I’m thankful for the resilience and lesson learnt from the experience, Emma and I joke about it frequently. I would make sure she never felt undeserving again by being there for her always.
