As you may recall, I sponsored an event that included a panel discussion which I moderated. I like to give the panelists a little thank you gift afterward. The last time I did this, I went to Brooks Brothers and bought each panelist a tie. The fellows absolutely loved the ties and I decided to keep doing it until I came up with a better idea. (Anyone have a better gift idea?) Last weekend I went back to Brooks Brothers, hoping to find the gay back man who helped me the last time. Gosh he was so helpful. I told him exactly what I wanted and he hand picked the ties for me! Unfortunately he was not there and so I had to rely on another salesperson. This woman was so very friendly and kept complimenting me, over and over and over! I told her what I wanted, 5 ties at approximately $50.00 apiece. She went through the table picking out ties and handing them to me and then we went to the register and she started ringing them up.
“220.00… 195.00… 225.00…”
“WHAT!?!?!?! Wait! I told you my budget– it’s 50.00 per tie!”
“Yes, but when you buy one tie you get the next tie 30% off.”
“That discount won’t make any of these ties 50.00!”
“I thought you wanted Brooks Brothers ties!”
“I did– for 50.00 a piece.”
So I went back and I picked out ties that were between 59.00 – 69.00 and she rang them up. She wished me well as I cursed her under my breath.

Today in my mail was a card from this woman. She said it was a pleasure serving me and to call her if I ever needed anything from Brooks Brothers. This was the first time I ever received a card from a place I shopped. I’m pretty impressed. Regardless, I am still going to ask for the gay black man if I ever go back.