Unusual Friendships - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Schmoopie · 06-28-2009, 06:45 AM

Have any of you ever become friends with someone that you met while buying a product or eating in a restaurant? I'm talking about befriending a salesperson or waiter/waitress or even someone in a service industry. Could be anything. Back around Christmas time, I was really depressed thinking that my husband and I don't have any friends. I mean, I only have one really good friend and she is in Texas. Besides people from work, I don't really have anyone. But then I realized that whenever we start frequenting a restaurant or store, the employees know us instantly and we always strike up a conversation. But sometimes it's more than just "Hey I recognize you."

There is one store that my husband and I go to in the mall. We started going there three years ago when my husband was contemplating on buying a pretty expensive item. We started dealing with this one sales associate and within the past two years have become friends with him and everyone in the store. Last Christmas, we bought this guy a Christmas gift because he is always giving us free stuff and he gave my husband a birthday present when he found out that it was his birthday. Then we found out that he bought us a present as well. Whenever we go in the store, we don't even have to buy anything. We just say hello and talk to the staff. It's kind of nice and definitely no pressure. I think we have even become celebrities of sorts in the store. One of the sales guys has told me more than once that he wishes all customers were like my husband and I. That was so touching, really.
Last fall, there was a major movie premiere and it was sponsored by one of the products that this store sells. The company gave the store some movie passes to give to customers. Our sales associate gave us some and we had a great time, seeing the movie the night before it opened! Very cool! Then about a month later we found out that we were the ONLY ones in the store that got those passes! That was so cool!
When the guy found out that we were going away for Christmas to the city where he used to live, he emailed us a detailed list of stuff to do, places to eat, and even gave us incredibly accurate driving directions.
Today we went in and they were wishing us happy anniversary (my 13th wedding anniversary is Monday), and asking about our previous trips that we've been on the last month or so. And we're going on another one on Monday, so they were asking us about that.

But I think it's really cool to have such a connection with a store like this. Unfortunately it's not the type of store where you can just go in and buy something every time like a Starbucks. The good thing is that they don't expect us to buy stuff all the time!

Andrea

MickeyMac · 06-28-2009, 02:18 PM

That is an awesome story, glad to see there are some nice people in the world.

Schmoopie · 06-29-2009, 07:07 AM

I wanted to add something to this. Today we went into "our" store and it was like everyone in there (including our favorite guy) was waiting for us! He gave us an anniversary card and inside was a Starbucks gift card. How sweet is that?

OH Nuts! · 06-29-2009, 11:54 AM

It's very sweet. And sometimes, friendships just grow naturally in all sorts of places...it's great you found a set of nice friends this way.

InspectorExstead · 06-29-2009, 04:52 PM

Aw, Andrea. That's such a cute and touching story! I'm glad you and your husband have found such great friends!

gidgetgrape · 06-30-2009, 08:18 PM

Oh, that's a nice story! Thanks for sharing.

I was a cashier once and befriended one of the shoppers. When I went into the hospital, she was one of my nurses! She was terrific to me.

Schmoopie · 07-01-2009, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gidgetgrape

Oh, that's a nice story! Thanks for sharing.

I was a cashier once and befriended one of the shoppers. When I went into the hospital, she was one of my nurses! She was terrific to me.

Wow, that's wonderful! I bet she treated you like royalty!!!

A while after we made our first purchase from our friend, it broke and my husband had to take it in for repair. It was still under warranty, so no big deal there, but he was so ticked, he wasn't going to go in there again. I persuaded him to go back, and I'm so glad I did!! Our friend was very appologetic and the manager of the store gave my husband $250 off his next purchase!!!

Dude111 · 10-22-2025, 06:21 PM

Yes I have in the past......... No one lately though,people are not friendly anymore and anyone who is IS NOT WORTH IT!!

I suppose they are mad about this world like I am so I guess I understand them not being friendly towards others.....

06-28-2009, 06:45 AM	#1
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Unusual Friendships Have any of you ever become friends with someone that you met while buying a product or eating in a restaurant? I'm talking about befriending a salesperson or waiter/waitress or even someone in a service industry. Could be anything. Back around Christmas time, I was really depressed thinking that my husband and I don't have any friends. I mean, I only have one really good friend and she is in Texas. Besides people from work, I don't really have anyone. But then I realized that whenever we start frequenting a restaurant or store, the employees know us instantly and we always strike up a conversation. But sometimes it's more than just "Hey I recognize you." There is one store that my husband and I go to in the mall. We started going there three years ago when my husband was contemplating on buying a pretty expensive item. We started dealing with this one sales associate and within the past two years have become friends with him and everyone in the store. Last Christmas, we bought this guy a Christmas gift because he is always giving us free stuff and he gave my husband a birthday present when he found out that it was his birthday. Then we found out that he bought us a present as well. Whenever we go in the store, we don't even have to buy anything. We just say hello and talk to the staff. It's kind of nice and definitely no pressure. I think we have even become celebrities of sorts in the store. One of the sales guys has told me more than once that he wishes all customers were like my husband and I. That was so touching, really. Last fall, there was a major movie premiere and it was sponsored by one of the products that this store sells. The company gave the store some movie passes to give to customers. Our sales associate gave us some and we had a great time, seeing the movie the night before it opened! Very cool! Then about a month later we found out that we were the ONLY ones in the store that got those passes! That was so cool! When the guy found out that we were going away for Christmas to the city where he used to live, he emailed us a detailed list of stuff to do, places to eat, and even gave us incredibly accurate driving directions. Today we went in and they were wishing us happy anniversary (my 13th wedding anniversary is Monday), and asking about our previous trips that we've been on the last month or so. And we're going on another one on Monday, so they were asking us about that. But I think it's really cool to have such a connection with a store like this. Unfortunately it's not the type of store where you can just go in and buy something every time like a Starbucks. The good thing is that they don't expect us to buy stuff all the time! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-29-2009, 04:52 PM	#5
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	Aw, Andrea. That's such a cute and touching story! I'm glad you and your husband have found such great friends!
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

06-28-2009, 02:18 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	That is an awesome story, glad to see there are some nice people in the world.

06-29-2009, 07:07 AM	#3
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I wanted to add something to this. Today we went into "our" store and it was like everyone in there (including our favorite guy) was waiting for us! He gave us an anniversary card and inside was a Starbucks gift card. How sweet is that?

06-29-2009, 11:54 AM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It's very sweet. And sometimes, friendships just grow naturally in all sorts of places...it's great you found a set of nice friends this way.

06-30-2009, 08:18 PM	#6
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,505	Oh, that's a nice story! Thanks for sharing. I was a cashier once and befriended one of the shoppers. When I went into the hospital, she was one of my nurses! She was terrific to me.

10-22-2025, 06:21 PM	#8
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,631	Yes I have in the past......... No one lately though,people are not friendly anymore and anyone who is IS NOT WORTH IT!! I suppose they are mad about this world like I am so I guess I understand them not being friendly towards others.....