I felt just like a pervert yesterday, as I looked both ways before entering the establishment. I was embarrassed to be there. I was afraid of what my friends would think had they seen what I was doing in my free time. My collar was up, my hands were in my pockets, and my eyes were carefully hidden behind dark glasses.
Once inside, I avoided looking at anyone directly, in that way all gay men do when shopping a dirty bookstore. I slowly worked my way towards the counter - passing a display of what could only be described as "flavored sauces" - and then onto the cashier, where a very hot guy had been watching me all along. He looked me over when I approached. "And what can I get for you today?" he asked, jokingly, knowing exactly what I wanted from him. I was so ashamed for coming into the place to begin with, my answer was barely a whisper -
"I'll have a Chic Fil A to go," I said.
(Ahem.)
Once inside, I avoided looking at anyone directly, in that way all gay men do when shopping a dirty bookstore. I slowly worked my way towards the counter - passing a display of what could only be described as "flavored sauces" - and then onto the cashier, where a very hot guy had been watching me all along. He looked me over when I approached. "And what can I get for you today?" he asked, jokingly, knowing exactly what I wanted from him. I was so ashamed for coming into the place to begin with, my answer was barely a whisper -
"I'll have a Chic Fil A to go," I said.
(Ahem.)
It's hard to stand up for a cause when it's against something that you really like. I used to stop by Chic Fil A at least once a month - because their sandwiches rock. With that in mind, I also understand the need to avoid those businesses/organizations that hurt ones' quality of life in some way....and the fact that I'm not allowed to marry is something that definitely qualifies. But I hate having to boycott anything, and the guilt I felt I buying a stupid sandwich yesterday was silly. I sincerely believe that a business should have same right to their own personal/political opinions as I have, myself.
I went through the same thing last year while shopping for spring flowers. I have a killer covered porch that I always decorate with 9-10 hanging geraniums, and nobody has a better garden department than my local Lowes - a store that until recently, had two convenient locations. But Lowes shut one location down last year, and the way they did it really made my skin crawl. They removed their signs in the middle of the night, and when employees came to work the following morning, they were greeted by locked doors and security guards. Yikes.
As my neighbors learned of the closing, all were shocked that a company would treat its employees so seemingly poorly. Again like Chic Fil A, there were immediate calls to boycott the retailer…but though I understood my neighbors' angry reaction, I also understood Lowes' decision, having worked for Handy Andy - regional home improvement center - myself back in the mid 1990s.
When Handy Andy announced its impending closing, our employees robbed it blind - from part timers to managers. Some stole merchandise outright, others (like me) set merchandise aside to buy on the last day of business (at 90% off). I guess it's human nature to vent frustration in negative ways…and acts like stealing are easily justified.
I did boycott Lowes for a season btw, and last year's geraniums (bought elsewhere) didn't look as nice. But I returned to Lowes for my flowers this year, and I don't regret a thing.
Flowers last a lot longer than chicken sandwiches, after all…and they don't carry the guilt.
As my neighbors learned of the closing, all were shocked that a company would treat its employees so seemingly poorly. Again like Chic Fil A, there were immediate calls to boycott the retailer…but though I understood my neighbors' angry reaction, I also understood Lowes' decision, having worked for Handy Andy - regional home improvement center - myself back in the mid 1990s.
When Handy Andy announced its impending closing, our employees robbed it blind - from part timers to managers. Some stole merchandise outright, others (like me) set merchandise aside to buy on the last day of business (at 90% off). I guess it's human nature to vent frustration in negative ways…and acts like stealing are easily justified.
I did boycott Lowes for a season btw, and last year's geraniums (bought elsewhere) didn't look as nice. But I returned to Lowes for my flowers this year, and I don't regret a thing.
Flowers last a lot longer than chicken sandwiches, after all…and they don't carry the guilt.