I've become an avid gardener since moving to the country. Over the last 8 years I've spent literally thousands at a plant/fresh produce store called Paley's just over the CT border. Well, that once beloved relationship is now OVER!
I went to Paley's yesterday morning for some tomatoes, 2 plants & some potting soil. As I wandered around the green house looking for 2 flowering pots to replace a couple that are done with their growth period, the owner was out there watering, I replied good morning to his greeting, we both remarked on the drop in humidity & "isn't it great" etc etc. Little did I know he had a Jekyll & Hyde complex! A moment later, one of the kindest, sweetest people I have ever known came out to see if she could help me. No sooner than we exchanged greetings did the proprietor begin screaming at her, telling her that "there are only 2 people out here!, this is not your job!" "What's wrong with you, just do what you're told!" "You're worthless!" Blah Blah Blah!!! I was absolutely stunned!!!! Not only did the owner have no regard that a customer was clearly within earshot of his berating, screaming tantrum, but he also has zero understanding that he has no right to speak to anyone in that manner. When I tell you I was literally sick to my stomach witnessing his behavior, that is an understatement.
As I was visibly upset by this, another employee I'm acquainted with asked if I was OK, to which I asked if there was anything I could do to help the situation, she said it most likely would just "set him off again" & from what I gathered, he mistreats his employees regularly. I then went into the grocery part of the store to get my tomatoes, as I was checking out, the owner & the female employee came into the store. She was following him around with a notepad, as he was barking orders at her. I waited for the tone to settle a bit & then stepped over to them from the registers where I was checking out. I merely wanted to let him know that she is an excellent employee & quite frankly, one of the reasons I returned to his store frequently. He literally yelled at me that "he didn't want to hear it & that I could just tell her", he then, rudely turned his back on me in mid-sentence & stormed out the door. What kind of employer doesn't want to hear a compliment about one of his employees? All the ladies working there apologized profusely, clearly embarrassed by their bosses' behavior. I replied it was absolutely not their fault. One of the checkers followed me out to apologize again. I told her it was I that was sorry, sorry I witnessed what I did, sorry they all had to work for such an awful man, & sorry that I would never step foot in his store again.
I will never understand why men think it's OK to humiliate, berate, & scream at women. I can guarantee these mindless knuckle draggers would never have the balls to treat other men this way. No, they get their jollies treating women they know would never fight back despicably. I have since learned from friends that have lived in Sharon for decades that Paley's owner has a reputation for mistreating employees, to such an extent that numerous new hires have quit their very 1st day. This is no excuse to continue to behave so horribly, it's never too late to evolve & become a better person. Although I truly doubt that thought has ever entered his pea sized brain.
Suffice it to say, I intend to spread the word about the owner of Paley's, as well as never giving him my business again! read more