This is how it's going to be-so please be mindful.

Well, hello from your friendly shopkeeper! 

Friends, we are in different times.  Times that, we all, need to learn new things, adjust our habits, and be a little more mindful of our actions.  So here are some-observations, tips, suggestions, and probably a rant or two.  

Please shop local and independent as much as you can. These establishments make up your neighborhoods, they donate to just about every fundraiser you ask them to, they sponsor t-ball teams and the like, they hire your kids for their first jobs, and they're probably your neighbors.  So, please, do your neighbors a solid, and support them.  If you don't have the $$ to support-share, like, love, engage with their social media posts-and help out the algorithms.  

A few suggestions while shopping local:

Please look for and read and follow directions for how to patronize their establishment.  I know this is new-you didn't have to think about this before-you just went in and looked around and what not.  Now, in pandemic world, keep in mind that a lot of places have limits on capacity, perhaps shorter hours due to staffing and payroll or whatever-so if you don't intend to buy-maybe don't take up the space that could be taken by someone there to spend money.  I'm not saying that you have to know exactly what you're getting-but-shop with intention.  Establishments are functioning on fewer hours, fewer customers-but the same bills.  So, please read directions, follow directions-check to see if they're taking cash or only doing card, look for indicators that there's a certain flow of traffic to follow, use the hand sanitizer that we have to buy, look to see if certain services aren't available so that you don't waste someone's time bitching about it later.  Keep in mind that some complimentary services or perks might not be available at this time, or no longer complimentary-because we have bills yall-and it's hard to give away free shit when you're not making the same money, but have to buy more supplies, and still pay those bills.

Also, maybe don't shop in large groups, or be ok if you can't all be in the place at the same time.  If you're shopping with three of your friends, and the establishment's capacity, is say 5 customers max, consider waiting for your friend who really wants to shop in here-outside. Understand that if you insist on waiting until there are 4 spots open, we won't stop 2 people from coming in if we're not at capacity, so that y'all can come in together for 1 of you to buy 1 thing-it's just rude now.  If you really want to do that with your friends, maybe see if that establishment does appointments, or get there early on an off peak day and time. 

While we're talking about capacity-your kids count. And again-see above about groups.  Now, sometimes you don't have childcare and you have the kids, and you just have to get a birthday card for Susie, look it's rough right now; this would be a good time to consider if that store has a website, and/or offers curbside pick up. You are going to need to plan ahead a bit, and, hate to break it to you, but you should make that your new normal, because we're stuck in this game until there's a vaccine.  So, birthdays, holidays, etc.-until there is a vaccine, this is life. 

Masks, yes, you need to wear them.  Yes, they need to cover your mouth and nose. I would suggest NOT bringing your Starbucks or whatever with you, because unless you have the straw hole with cover in your mask, we're going to ask you to not take off/lower your mask and drink whatever while you're in the store. If this is hard for you-I direct you to checking to see if that store has a website and/or does curbside pickup.  

Do not take your mask off to talk/ask questions; we can hear you.  If we don't hear your question, we'll ask again.  This is a good time to remind everyone to project.  Now, I know you can speak loud enough to ask your question and for us to hear it, because we just heard you say "we'll just buy it on Amazon." RUDE. Then don't come in. Amazon will be fine at the end of all this-but Amazon is not likely to donate to Timmy's spring school fundraiser silent auction.  

Keep your distance.  Have we learned nothing this whole time???? Give people their space and don't encroach.  I know everyone is still recovering from the great toilet paper shortage of 2020, and now treats everything like it's the last one and they MUST have it, but you don't know where that person has been before you moseyed up next to them, they lowered their mask to take a sip of their Starbucks, and sneezed before the cup got to their mouth, and those droplets, well they flew, and they would have flown wide and far away from anyone, but you insisted on being right next to sneezy stranger-and now you got some snot on something you're going to touch and not realize.  So, please, 6 feet.  

As much as we would love to sit and chat with you at the register, when your done with your purchase, please leave. If your friend is still shopping, but you've purchased your items, please leave and wait outside.  See capacity paragraph above (we have to move as many people through in limited times friends!).  But really, Sharon will be out in just a couple minutes, she's finishing up, and will pay, all on her own, because she's an adult and can do things independently. I promise.  

Look, you may have to change the way you shop, dine out, get your hair done, etc.  It's inconvenient, I know.  But keep in mind, all of these people at these establishments, are exposing themselves, repeatedly, to people, and we are trying to stay as safe as possible.  We have families and friends that we don't want to get sick.  We have limited resources, so if one of us does get sick, it can be a huge dent in the functioning of the establishment.  

Keep in mind, too, when patronizing a local independent establishment, that you are, most likely, in someone's dream. They, or their family, built what you're standing in, they rely on it, they love it, they had plans for it before all of this.  We need our businesses to succeed-because it's our livelihood-but also our passion.  We appreciate the support of customers, we love building those relationships that you don't get elsewhere, we like being a part of your world in a small way-but know that we are people too. We are stressed, tired, and scared for a multitude of reasons, as well.  So, please be kinds and respect the rules and don't be an asshole.  

Thanks!