Parchment Paths

With so many technological advances it seems like some people are content to simply enjoy what others have created. People play games and watch movies on their phones, even when there out in public and can be getting to know people or enjoying their surroundings. It's not that I don't enjoy playing my Nintendo DS, or watching Law and Order SVU marathons, or even that I don't acknowledge the spring board computers and apps can be to creativity. It was just nice to see a girl a bit younger then myself, sitting at Barnes and Noble, listening to her iPod and knitting away with bright, strawberry red yarn.

Earlier this week I spent some time with my Aunt Donna in the southern part of Pennsylvania. One of the places we went to was a tea and gift shop called Tickle Your Fancy in McConnellsburg. It's a quaint, historical town with a variety of shop along the main street, but we spent most of our time at Tickle Your Fancy. My aunt had driven past the shop but had never gone in before. Her curiosity piqued, she suggested we investigate. From the moment we walked in the owner, greeted us warmly, asking us if we'd like some tea. Technically it's a gift shop, but she offers tea tasting and biscuits, as well as sells loose leaf tea and tea sets. What made the experience so special was that she explained about the proper methods of preparing and serving tea and explained the unique properties of each tea she served us, Earl Grey, Casablanca Twist Mint, and Raspberry Nectar. She politely inquired where we were from and how we found her and seemed to personally know everyone who enter

It seems to me that the vast majority of people do not know how to accept no as a viable answer. I understand of course that "no" if often used a lazy excuse, but sometimes "no" is a valid responce. "No, you cannot eat all the cupcakes." "No, we are all sold out." Yet people don't like to hear no. I work at a large retail store and even when I know with 100% accuracy that we are sold out of an item, customers do not like to believe me; they insist I check again or call management. Why would I lie? Sometimes, the answer is really, and truly, no. It might be a good idea to just deal with it and move on.