Those Church Thrift Store Ladies

This is a shout out to the church ladies (and occasionally men) who tirelessly stock and provide excellent customer service at their church’s thrift store. We love to hear what they are chattering about – usually someone in the church doing something they don’t agree with – but never mean spirited, just matter of fact. The whole time they are talking to each other they are rearranging and restocking merchandise. They discuss the pastor never mentioning his name, just "he". Yes, we know...but we haven't heard a "she" yet. (Maybe it's not for lack- could be because "she" is not doing anything to provoke discussion. We don't know). The deacons are “the deacons” always as an entity. The board of the church is referred to as “they” as in “they” want to do some crazy thing. The church ladies pause when you enter the shop to welcome you and ask how you are, if you have been before, if you are looking for anything in particular… They pause again when you check out and offer commentary on what you are purchasing - this sweater will look lovely on you, I just put this out and knew it would go quickly, I donated that - it was in my family for years, you found this, what a great deal! Have we heard about bad tempered church ladies? Yes, but it is usually because someone has stayed past closing time. Remember they are volunteers not paid employees so be aware of the shop time and act accordingly. I was once in a shop purchasing clothes and brought the clothes and hangers to the checkout separating them into 2 piles. The church lady was shocked. She said “you actually brought me the hangers, no one has ever done that! I usually have to walk around and gather them up”. Folks, do you do that? Just leave the hangers wherever?!? Maybe we need to do a blog on thrift shop etiquette…

Remember to show the church folks some love, it will make their boss happy ;)