Challenge №2

   We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. – Martin Luther King, Jr (1929–1968)
 Words are, of course, the most j) powerful drug known to mankind. – Rudyard Kipling (1865 - 1936)

Be nice to people on your way up, because you meet them on your way down. Jimmy Durante (1893-1980)

As you may remember, every week we need to make a new challenge. This time my challenge is:

   To ask to pay with a credit card even if they take cash only.

This is a definitely difficult task, I suppose. Shop assistants can think of you as an insane selfish person who is obsessed with his principles. Anyway, I decided to try to do it at the small ice cream shop. 

I chose ice cream I wanted to buy, then I asked if they took card. The saleswoman answered me that they could take only cash. However, I started insisting on paying by card because I did not have any cash with me (but obviously, I had some cash in my bag). She said that unfortunately they did not have the opportunity to let customers pay by card. I felt kind of embarrassed that I was so stubborn and did not go away after that. I could buy ice cream in the supermarket and pay by card. However, I told her that it was not convenient that there were no options except paying by cash and that every modern shops have various payment methods. It was quite rude to say those words and I felt super awkward and guilty. I expected that the saleswoman would become angry and lose her patience. But to my surprise, she was very pleasant, tolerant person who was very courteous to me even after I said it. She said that there was an ATM machine nearby and she suggested me to withdraw money from the card. The saleswoman understood that I was persistent about my goal to buy ice cream. 

Finally, I decided to listen to her advice, withdrew money from my credit card. It was silly because I still had cash in my bag, but I think I wanted to believe to my lie myself to not to feel so bad about this situation. The ice cream I chose cost so little money and the situation about paying by card seemed so ridiculous. This was one of those times when I felt so ashamed of myself literally. Actually, I am not the person who likes to have conflicts and argue over every simple reason. But this was a challenge for me. And I wanted this woman to believe to me as well. I came back to her, paid by cash and bought ice cream. The saleswoman looked quite tired, but also it was evident that the situation was funny for her. I do not know if she realized that I wanted to make a challenge or not. I thanked her for all her kindness and work and went home. It was an interesting experience. I am glad that the saleswoman was very patient and nice. Otherwise, I guess another seller would scream at me and hoot me off. I was super nervous that she would do the same. I am relieved that my expectations did not become a reality. I learned that there is always a solution to a problem. If people have disagreement they can talk and compromise. I used to be afraid of asserting my opinion if my plans could not be accomplished and there were a lot of individuals who did not share my ideas. But now, I reckon I can insist on my own position and show everyone that my thoughts also should be taken into account.

That is it for this post. Thank you for reading. Now, please, tell me a bit more about your challenge. Was it difficult for you? Let me know in the comments down below!