Mystery Shopper

My work for the day consisted of driving down to another WorkForce Center and be a "mystery shopper." Meaning, pretend I was looking for a job and see how I was treated by the staff that worked there.  I volunteered to do this from my agency because it sounded like fun, I'm a pretty good actress (if I do say so myself) and it's nice to get out and about and visit other offices.

I got up, put some jeans on, an old shirt, tennis shoes and off to work I went!  No business casual for me today.

Now, you all know that we live in a fairly small town. Yes, we are big enough to have a Wal-mart and a McDonalds but if you drive on the main street, it would take you maybe 5 minutes to get through all of town.

I'm not scared to drive down in the big city.  Sometimes in the past  I have referred or thought of  myself to be a city girl.  Growing up in Robbinsdale, I would constantly be in the passengers seat of my Dad's car as he drove around Minneapolis/St. Paul and the suburbs.  So, I know my way around pretty well and have a good sense of direction too.  Just for fun sometimes I make Kirby drive us down to the Mall of America to see if he can do it without asking me for help. :)

Today was no different, I found where I was going and parked my car.

As I put my car in PARK, I knew I was going to stick out like a sore thumb as soon as I walked in the door.

You see, I was in South St. Paul...need I say more?

I don't mind a little attention, I can handle a few stares, but......when you are the ONLY blonde haired white girl amongst a sea of African American Males....you feel a little 'odd.'  

I put on my big girl pants and adjusted my acting hat and went to work.  It wasn't hard pretending to need help and to ask questions and pretend to be job searching.   I was doing well until I decided to do this to the guy sitting next to me:

"Excuse me sir, can I ask you a question?"

His quick and short reply........... "NO."

I was taken back by his reply and  chuckled outloud cause I though he was joking around with me. I continued to look at him with a piece of paper in my hand and realized, he was serious.

So much for Minnesota nice.

I then proceeded to observe the other folks in the WFC.  I didn't see many smiles, or how are you's, or even eye contact with each other.  Everyone was doing their own thing, on their own time.

I left the WFC and drove to a nearby Trader Joe's. I had heard wonderful things about this store and was excited to check it out.   The store was great but the people were not!  Apparently if you have a cart, you always have the right away in that store.  I was bumped and cut off and never once did I hear, "excuse me" or "I'm sorry."

 I said 'Excuse me" to one gal and she just gave me the oddest look and moved with fear in her eyes.......  lol!

So, what's my point?  Small town living is best. I like that people are polite and say excuse me and if I have a question, they are more than willing to help.  I like that in my town, people say 'Hello' and 'How are you?' and actually look at someone eye to eye.  

There are downsides as well, I know but...........I will take my small town living anyday!