On being banned

A sneak peak - the thrift store table I got for 9.99. Soon to be given a face lift.

Last week was extremely busy and this week is shaping up to be also. Somehow, I managed to squeeze in a thrifting trip. I know, surprise, surprise. Later in the week I'll elaborate more on the cool finds and what I am doing with them. Let's just say it was a good trip and there were hilarities and hi jinx involved. Which got me thinking about a thrift shop excursion I went on in Hilton Head, SC.

We lived there for 3 years and one day I decided to take break from the ocean. I had heard about this thrift shop where the line to get in wrapped around the building. This intrigued me. People wait in line to go thrift shopping?? Apparently, all of the wealthy people like to get new stuff every year so they donated to this place. I had to see.

So, I went and sure enough there was a line. I stood for a little while with my kids, though, not very long. At the time my kids were 9, 7 and 2 years old. Charley had to use the restroom right away so we made a beeline for the back of the store. Suddenly, I was tapped on the shoulder. I spun around to look behind me. (It was just like in the movies where someone turns and doesn't see anyone so they look down and there is this honey-I-shrunk-the-kids person.)

I did that. I looked down and this small person was standing there. I'm not so tall myself so for her to be smaller than me was something.

"Yes?" I said

Trembling, she said, "You can't be in here."

Thinking I didn't hear her correctly, I asked "I beg your pardon?"

She asked how old the kids were and I told her. She said there was a sign posted at the front stating there were no kids allowed.

Smiling I said, "You're kidding, right? Am I on a hidden camera show?"

"No." she said. Then I noticed that this person was a security guard! A security guard at a junk store! A security guard with a hand over her hip pocket as if to keep track of a weapon.

"Are you packing?!" I said.

She looked a little confused.

"Oh, it's just a radio, thank goodness." I remarked.

Charley was now next to me dancing around, almost in tears. She was doing the "cross-legged" dance and I told Belen to take her to the restroom, "Quickly!"

The worried guard said, "Uhhh..." And I politely reminded her that there was going to be a mess so she could at least let her use the bathroom and then we'd leave. She agreed.

The manager, a smartly dressed woman in her 60's, came over to see why there were evil children in the store. I assumed she was a volunteer for the church that sponsored this shop. Which, by the way, was not affiliated with this store any more.

I asked why kids were not allowed in the store.

"Oh, I love children. I have 2 of my own and I have grandchildren" she said as she turned her head with a sigh at the preposterousness of the question.

"Then why aren't they allowed to be here? You do realize that most people who shop at stores like this are mothers? Mothers that need to bring their kids with them."

"Oh, yes, I understand. I was a stay-at-home mother too, we all were at one time" and then she said, "BUT IF I ALLOW ONE IN WE'D HAVE TO COUNT THEM AS A PERSON AND I JUST CAN'T DO THAT." (Caps added to emphasize her ridiculous words.)

Because only 200 people were allowed in the store at any given time, they didn't allow children, making way for the adult spenders. "It's a safety issue." she said.

By this time, the kids were back and Reese was getting heavy. So, we began to make our way out of the store. The smug manager was following us, trying to sell me on the place, telling me they "gave over a million dollars to charities" that year and *gasp* "some were "CHILDREN'S charities."

"That's nice" I said dryly.

She just rolled her eyes and sent the security guard, whose hand was still on the radio, to continue to escort us. Some shoppers, noticing the debate that had ensued, stood and watched. My escort was like Moses parting the Red Sea.

"Ever had to use that thing, like call for back-up or something?" I said.

I finally got a laugh from her, "No" she replied.

"Is this the most action you've gotten at this store?"

"Yes, thanks" she said smiling.

"My pleasure. Thanks for not letting my kids wet the floor. That was nice of you; you do a good job."

And with that she opened the door for us and Reese waved "bye bye." She waved back and shut the door.

On my way out, I felt like shouting "Norma Rae, Norma Rae!"

And that is the story of how I was banned.

*post edit* I looked up the website of this store and now they only ban children under 6 in the store. Progress.

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