sad shopping

Yesterday I was at the mall buying some pants.

Since having a baby, I haven't owned a pair of black dress pants, and it was time I found a new pair. I opted once again for the cheapest, "They almost fit me" pair as opposed to the more expensive, "They make my butt look awesome" pair--as usual. I can never reason the extra money when the lesser costing pair still serve the purpose.

I had two 30% coupons in my hand as I stood in the checkout line. The lady behind me was purchasing a coat, so I offered her one of my extra coupons.

I love doing this. Probably because I would think it so awesome if someone would offer me a coupon for something I was buying as I was standing in line to pay for it.

She was most grateful. Both she and her lady friend were probably in their early 60s, well put-together, and very chatty. They both raved about Lilah the entire duration of line waiting. It was a nice conversation, and I felt good that I'd contributed to this stranger's good mood.

Both the lady and me were called to the cashiers at the same time. Our purchases rang up, and I overheard the lady's cashier tell her that her total was somewhere around $80 for the coat.

I then heard the saleswoman ask the lady if she'd like to contribute $1.00 to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

The lady declined.

Wait... wait a minute...

In my mind, I did the algebra:

70% (X) = $80.00

X = approximately $115.00

Total savings with coupon: $35.00

This woman was willing to have paid the full $115.00 for this coat; she was in line to pay for it before I even offered her the coupon. Therefore, she unexpectedly was going to get to leave the store with $35 extra in her pocket.

And of that extra $35, she didn't want to spare a mere $1 to a charity.

Now, I'm sure that there could be an extenuating circumstance I don't know about. Perhaps this woman supports only certain charities approved by her church. Perhaps she was planning on making her own contribution to St. Jude's in a large lump sum in exchange for a tax write-off-able receipt closer to the end of the year. Perhaps she hates sick children. I have no idea.

It just didn't seem right to me. She was granted some unanticipated grace in her favor, and then when provided with the chance to do the same, she declined less than five minutes later.

I've never felt so sad buying pair of pants before.