Story of the Day 11/ 12/2015

I was on my way to Trader Joe's when I decided to take a detour.
In the very same strip mall , just a few storefronts to the east is a Pier One. Over the years, I have spent a decent amount go money in Pier One buying things for Hanukkah. Things meaning dreidels and candles and menorahs.
But, I didn't even look at their selection, last year, because they didn't have one. Well, they did, if you lived somewhere else, but someone in the corporate office had decided that this Indianapolis location didn't sell enough; so when I went inside, last year, to see what they had, they had " nothing".

The saleswoman was very apologetic, but there was nothing that she could do.

I expected a repeat of last year's experience, because, believe it or not, not a whole lot has changed here in Indianapolis, this past year, with regards to the Jewish population. Individually, yes.
There have been deaths, there have been births, but the Jewish community did not , during the past 12 months, grow by 2,000 all of whom are out shopping.
So,I went in thinking I would be wasting two or three minutes asking about something they didn't have.

But, when I told the woman who greeted me within 30 seconds of my entering the store what i was looking for , she took me right over to a Hanukkah display.

On the table, amidst a slew of other sparkly things, was a very beautiful dreidel. I reached down, wondering what it was made of and then recoiled , as soon as my fingers touched it.

"It's beautiful, isn't it" chipped the saleswoman.

"It is a Christmas tree ornament," I replied.
In fact, it was a blown glass tree ornament complete with a little gold braid loop on one end for hanging on your tree.

The woman reached over and picked it up.

"Oh my!"

I looked at the rest of the display.....there was a lovely table runner....in a package. But when I picked it up, I realized that it was a mantle cover and the illustration showed it hanging above a fireplace just set for the stockings to fill.

And then there were the wreaths. Blue and silver wreaths, to hang on your door and let everyone know that you were celebrating Christmas.
But ever mindful of the Jew-colors!

There was a menorah and candles, but they had been relegated to a dark area under the table- one of those square wooden box, almost shelf things.
Their placement was enough of an insult that I would not have considered spending money at the store, even if they were the only bona-fide Hanukkah candles in town.

As I turned to leave, the saleswoman, who was now wandering round the display, picking things up and realizing what they were actually showing, was very apologetic.
This was without my even needing to explain to her what was wrong with the rest of the display.
I assured her that I knew it was not her doing, and I was also aware that the display is made to conform to directions sent by the corporation. They actually lay out in a photo of what goes were, so sticking the menorah and candles in the dark, hard to reach spot was a corporate decision.

An hour later, at home, after putting away my groceries, I located a comment form , on line, and sent Pier One my opinion of their display.

It was a nice display for Christians wanting to stick some token Hanukkah decor up on their trees for their significant others, spouses, roommates, or whatever. Then theyr token Jews could thank them for their thoughtfulness, I suppose, if not for their sensitivity.

No, I did not say that , but I thought it. I was actually very polite.
Even by other people's standards.

If I had seen the Pier One ad, before sending it, though, I might not have been.
he one detail I semi to have missed was the trees. They had a nice pair of blue and white Christmas trees for us Jews to decorate with......

I have attached the photo , so that you can enjoy how they think I should be decorating my home for Hanukkah, this year...