I am an out of towner and decided to stop at Hickeys just to browse around a bit. I always buy something when I am there, because I don't like walking out empty handed and usually find something I can use or need.
Now for the disturbing part. The very second I walked through the door, some guy in a kilt literally barked at me in a very aggressive voice, «WHAT CAN I GET YOU»? It completely caught me off guard, so I didn't respond immediately. He then repeated the question a bit more forcefully, but with a twist, «WHAT DO YOU NEED»? I just said that I was doing a little «window shopping». His response was, «IF YOU ARE WINDOW SHOPPING, GO OUTSIDE AND LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOWS.» From his tone, he wasn't joking or trying to be funny, because he was really being very impolite about it. I just shook it off, told him I was a drummer and came to look at some percussion items.
So now it gets better. As he sees me wandering through the store, he said in a very sarcastic manner, «OH, YOU'RE STILL HERE?» At that point, I had had enough and brought the three items I picked out to the counter, so I could pay for them. It was at this point this person, then decided to engage me in a debate about the merits of wearing masks and vaccines and on and on and on, trying to turn what should have been a friendly transaction into something political. I wasn't there to debate the merits of wearing a mask or the Covid vaccine (even though I was wearing a mask and have been vaccinated). I just was expecting a pleasant shopping experience. Unfortunately, that is not what happened. At that point, I very quickly paid for my purchases and exited the store.
I come to Ithaca once a month and usually stop at Hickeys and ALWAYS make a purchase. No more. I'll just order what I want or need on line.
I suggest you get this person in the kilt away from the front counter. He is not good for your business.
R. Wendell Brown
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