shock and :::Gasp!::: outrage

sometimes, interactions with customers rub me the wrong way and leave me feeling morally dirty. i'm not talking black-and-white, cut-and-dry, right-and-wrong dirty, but the kind of dirty that comes from having to enforce stupid policies you don't personally believe in.

like, not even 10 minutes ago, a middle aged customer got really upset and in my face over the fact that we charge extra for Organic milk.

1. believe me lady, i'm upset too! i think it's ridiculous to make people pay extra for making a choice that is better for them, for farmers, for cows and for the environment.

2. NOT MY POLICY. it's not my fault- i didn't come up with the idea. but while we're at it, why aren't you upset that we also charge extra for soy milk??? i know i am.

3. it *does* cost us more. i don't have access right now to the invoices for our milk delivery, but i know it costs us more to buy Organic than conventional, and while i think it's incredibly stupid to charge extra for it---it makes sense from a consumerist/ capitalist viewpoint. seriously.

there are many places around here that have similar practices, and, while i hesitate to use that as an excuse, it's not as if this is a novel idea- charging extra for "premium" ingredients... when you go to the supermarket, it costs more for Organic than conventional, why shouldn't it at your local, friendly, neighborhood coffee shop??? (again, from the consumerist/capitalist viewpoint...not my personal one)

and while i feel your pain and even understand it. ma'am; it's truly unfair to take it out on someone who (believe me) has TRIED to get that changed but seriously doesn't have the power or the say to make it happen....