Irked stopping in today.
Approached at the door, asked where I could find a caulk gun, was told that "in California you can't call it a gun."
Me: "Is that some kind of political statement?" Are we in Cali???
Curtis seemed caught off guard, was I agreeing with him? Or voicing my displeasure?
Perhaps he was confused by my correctly worn mask, since his was hanging below his nose.
Since I'm going through chemo currently, I really didn't want to hear political commentary from a guy who can't wear a mask correctly. The inability to commit to either being respectful of others, or obvious selfish azzhole I know to steer clear of, didn't have me feeling confident in the courage of his convictions, or any hardware advice.
After I shooed him away from me by caulk guns, he could be heard bellowing at other guests. Each one got some sort of political commentary; Curtis seems to have a thing against California, reusing "in California you can't...blah, blah, blah" I wasn't the only customer who seemed to want to escape his realm.
Most of the staff wore masks, which I appreciate. An older gentleman was stocking shelves, no mask. Also no political bs. I can see he isn't wearing a mask and avoid him. He may or may not be vaxed, yet I know he isn't masked, nor approaching me.
Half-masked Curtis comes into the aisles I'm in a few times to follow up, "I'm enjoying shopping, thanks," as I quickly stroll away each time.
Little bit goes by, comes into my aisle again, talking to himself as he looks for a part. Taking his time. I get the vibe he's trying to figure me out still. His mask now hangs on his chin. Full on chatting away with himself loudly as if I'm supposed to interact. Jaw wagging. After several minutes, returns to the phone to tell a customer he doesn't have a part.
Ok, so he isn't full on nuts.
I'm just freaking irritated by his whole demeanor. His approach, his slovenly cockiness, his stupid mask.
Curtis needs to be more professional. Politics don't belong at the hardware store. Either wear the mask or don't. Stop trying to do both. It's disingenuous.
Likely won't shop here for a while, if at all again.
Due to chemo, I don't like to go where employees aren't masked.
I don't want to give money to businesses that aren't inclusive. People with compromised immune systems are the ones dying from CV19, which is currently STILL CLIMBING to an all-time high peak.
Why should I care about your business, your livelihood, if you don't care about mine?
I'll spend hours at Home Depot. Opens at 5am, employees are masked. Store is airy, aisles are wide. Relatively empty that early. I get to be a part of the world for a while. The garden center is my zen.
I'm redoing a vintage camper, so I'm spending a lot of time and money in hardware stores. Several times weekly.
This Ace is less than a mile from my house. The Home Depot I prefer is about 5 miles away (there's a closer one, I don't like it).
I mention the above because I'm hopeful the manager will see it and make adjustments.
At the end of the day, every other employee was beyond kind, helpful, professional, and appropriately masked. Except Curtis, the maskless stocking guy, and the garden center lady (outside I have no issue with).
Even the Ace guy who delivered an order to me recently was masked!
So I dock 1 star in the hopes that the manager, owner (and others in my community) might see this and try to understand what that last TWO YEARS have looked like for someone who is at high risk. We are tired too. We want "normal" back. We want to interact with the world, we just don't want to risk our lives. Sole parent, 1 kid (whose life has been pretty messed up for years now), have some compassion and humanity and wear a mask.
If a piece of cloth threatens your freedom, YOU WERE NEVER FREE. read more