My son, Alex, has a part-time job at our local grocery store. He works after school and on weekends, saving up for a car—or perhaps a few burritos from Chipotle (I can see the transactions!). Most of his shifts involve ringing up customers, but sometimes he’s the one bagging groceries or collecting carts in the parking lot.
Last night, he was working as a cashier when you and your husband came through his line. Their friendly banter made the end of his shift enjoyable, a pleasant way to wrap up a long day. Just as he was about to leave work and enjoy his Saturday night, you decided to engage him further.
After he wished you a good evening, you turned back and remarked, “Wow, you have quite a bit of acne.” Then, pulling a business card from your purse, you added, “I sell products that can help with that. In six months, it’ll be gone!”
Alex accepted your card graciously, saying, “Thank you,” followed by a polite, “But no thanks.” This was a reflection of how I’ve raised him—to be respectful while also standing up for himself.
When I picked him up shortly after, we talked about you during our drive home. As a single mom of four, I often find myself shuttling my teens around, which offers the opportunity for deep conversations. That night, though, it was hard to hear my son say, “I was having such a good day until that moment.”
Your words, whether intended to be helpful or not, hurt him. As we discussed the encounter, I reflected on possible reasons for your comment: perhaps you had a few drinks with dinner and lost your filter, or maybe you were trying to help based on your own struggles with skin issues. It crossed my mind that you might be struggling financially, thinking that selling to a teenager was a viable plan.
Despite my efforts to find understanding, my frustration lingered. I was grateful that Alex was able to move on, his spirits lifting again as we chatted. He’s a great kid—smart, charismatic, and well-liked by his peers. Yet, his confidence was momentarily shaken by your comment about his skin.
Yes, he has some acne, a common issue for teenagers. He’s aware of it, and we have skincare products at home. I try my best to provide healthy food options, which I believe benefit his skin. However, your unsolicited remark was unnecessary, especially from a stranger trying to make a sale.
You could have simply left the store without pointing out a flaw in his appearance. Instead, you chose to confront him, which was not the right move.
As I type this, I still have your business card in front of me. After enduring a challenging divorce, I’ve learned the importance of taking time before reacting out of anger. I wanted to express my feelings immediately, to let you know how wrong your approach was. Your words transformed me into a protective mother, ready to defend my child.
But maybe it’s best not to reach out just yet. As time passes, my initial anger is fading. Eventually, I will write to you, because you should be aware of the impact of your actions.
While you may not have intended to teach my son a lesson, you inadvertently did. He learned about the significance of words and how they can affect others. He also gained a bit of resilience, better equipped to face a world that can sometimes be unkind.
So, MLM representative, let this serve as a reminder: before you attempt to promote your products, consider your audience. Think about the words you choose to share. If you struggle with this, perhaps it’s worth looking into resources that can help you develop better communication skills. For further insights on home insemination and related topics, visit this blog. For more information on artificial insemination, check out this resource. The CDC also has valuable information on pregnancy and fertility here.
In summary, your comments affected my son more than you may have realized, and they serve as a reminder of the impact our words can have.