Company Blog

The Awkward Moments

by Adam Zack — October 22, 2015

Your Barn door Is Open

Everyone has awkward moments. It’s that point in an encounter when you wonder whether to say something or not to the other person for fear of offending them. Awkward moments include: zipper down (xyz), foul breath, food in teeth, detection of body odor (not the good kind), hanging nasal remnants and undetected hair sproutings. More often than not, we just keep our yap shut and move along. Many times I have been on the other end of these awkward situations, suddenly feeling a breeze and seeing my fly is unzipped and wondering why no one gave the “Barn door open” signal or “Would you like a mint?” or just a nasal pinching and wiping motion. I then wonder Why? Why? Why!? Didn’t anyone tell me my breath was just slightly north or rotting skunk? So I have really tried to be the proactive informer, prefacing the uncomfortably awkward moment with a whispered “I’d want you tell me if our positions were reversed…” Generally, that eases the situation and results in a “Thanks for telling me…”

So where is this going as I think that my lunch gave me quite a garlic taste? Well, in our daily business interactions we are confronted with awkward moments with our customers and vendors. We are even more wary about saying anything to them! Should you or shouldn’t you? It’s not easy to say. One uncomfortable moment that California is seeing a lot of is customers bringing their dogs into grocery stores. These dog owners purchase “Service Dog” vests and just bring the pets on in. It’s against Health Department rules, but how far do you go if a long-time customer suddenly starts bringing in their little baby Shitzu, saying that it is a “comfort animal”? Do you ask them for proof? Do you kick them out of the store and lose a sale? It’s not easy, and it’s definitely awkward. The one preventative action you can take to the pet-in-store problem is great signage stating the policy. Don’t do the customer unfriendly “NO PETS ALLOWED!” Something that endears you to your pet loving customers: “We love pets, but by law they’re not allowed in the store. Thanks for understanding.” Posted prominently at the entrance, you’ll drastically reduce your awkward moments.