An elderly woman strolled into an upscale bridal boutique in London, where Oliver, a rather snobbish salesman, prided himself on catering to the elite. He had little patience for those who didnt fit his idea of sophistication.
One quiet afternoon, an elderly lady named Margaret entered the shop. Dressed in a simple, well-worn coat with her grey hair tied back loosely, she hardly matched the boutiques usual clientele. Margaret had never been one for lavish spending, but for her upcoming summer wedding, she wanted something special.
Oliver glanced up, sneered, and went back to scrolling on his phone. «Blimey, looks like someone wandered in from the charity shop,» he muttered to his colleague, Eleanor. «Honestly, whats she even doing here?»
Eleanor shot him a disapproving look. «Thats uncalled for, Oliver. She deserves the same respect as anyone else. Help herIve got to fetch the new arrivals.»
Ignoring her, Oliver kept his eyes glued to his screen. Margaret approached him with a polite smile. «Excuse me, young man, might you assist me?»
He barely glanced up. «What do you want?»
«Theres no need for rudeness,» Margaret said softly. «Id like to find a wedding dress. Im getting married»
«Look, love,» he interrupted with a sigh, «lets not waste time. Judging by your get-up, youre not exactly rolling in it. Theres a second-hand shop down the roadtry there.»
Margaret raised an eyebrow. «Oh? Youve deduced all that just by looking at me?»
«Dont take it personally,» Oliver said dismissively. «Just saving us both the bother.»
«Well,» she replied calmly, «if you wont treat me as a customer, at least show some respect to your elders.»
«Yeah, whatever,» he muttered.
Just then, a glamorous young woman swept in, dripping with designer labels. Oliver sprang up, grinning obsequiously. «Good afternoon, madam! How may I assist you today?»
Eleanor returned just in time to see Margarets disappointed expression. She set down her boxes and stepped forward. «Hello there! Have you been helped yet?»
Margaret smiled. «No, your colleague seems to think Im beneath his notice. Might you spare a moment?»
«Dont mind him,» Eleanor said kindly. «Now, what are you looking for?»
«Im getting married this summer,» Margaret said brightly. «And Id like something truly special.»
Eleanor guided her to a selection of exquisite gowns, while Oliver fawned over the influencer, who tried on nearly a dozen dressesonly to snap photos and leave without buying a thing.
Frustrated, Oliver turnedjust in time to see Margaret at the till, pulling out a thick envelope of cash. She paid for the most expensive gown in full and handed Eleanor a £4,000 tip.
Olivers jaw dropped. «Thats quite the gratuity, madam,» he stammered.
«Madam? A moment ago, I was love in the most dismissive tone,» Margaret remarked coolly.
«II didnt realise»
«No, you didnt,» she interrupted. «You assumed. And you know what they say about assumptions.»
Eleanor chuckled as Oliver stood frozen in humiliation. «Margarets a nurse,» she explained. «Shes marrying a widowed millionaire she cared for after his accident. She had no idea he was wealthy until after.»
Oliver could only gape in stunned silence.
Eleanor patted his shoulder. «Take it as a lesson, Oliver. Never judge by appearances.»
That summer, Eleanor celebrated at Margarets weddinga joyous affair, while Oliver nursed his regret.
The lesson? Appearances deceive. Olivers arrogance cost him dearly. Kindness, however, reaps unexpected rewards.
