I've been going to a nail salon here in Boise that I really like. It's housed inside the Wal-Mart store where I shop a lot, so it's really convenient. It's owned by 2 Chinese brothers; Huong and Ing. Their wives work there too, and that's the entire staff. Those 4 people work their tails off and they're very good at their trade! They're clean, courteous, and their mani's and pedi's are unbelievably relaxing. I'm so happy that their business seems to be doing well.
One of the things they do is to take a personal interest in all clients. They make it a point to remember your first name, and they always offer something to drink while you're getting your mani or pedi. I LOVE their Chinese tea... it's really from China and it's absolutely delicious.
Several weeks ago Huong was doing my nails and I was sipping away on that delicious tea. It was SO good I asked him how he got it. He said his mom sends it to him from China. I asked if it would be possible if I could buy some.. he said he was almost out so couldn't offer me any right then, but maybe the next time his Mom sent some. Said his mom sends various kinds of tea - some's better than others.
"But the next time she sends some I'll let you try it. If you like it, I can have Mom send some for you. The tea is cheap - the expense is almost entirely in the postage."
I thought that was great, and agreed - the next time his Mom sent him some Chinese tea - - let me know and I'd see if I liked it well enough to order some.
So! About 3 weeks went by and I was walking into Wal-Mart to get groceries and all of a sudden Huong comes RUNNING OUT OF THE SALON and grabs hold of my arm.
"Patti!" he says - showing me a BAGGIE full of CHOPPED UP FRESH TEA. "My mom finally sent me a package. This is great stuff! I really think you'll like it! Do you want to try some? I can let you sample some in our back room!"
I'm thinking.... Woa! This doesn't look very good, and I notice the "greeter" and several Wal-Mart customers are looking at us in a surprised kind of way.
So I say "Um. I don't think so, Huong - not right now. I'm kind of in a hurry to get my groceries. Maybe another time?"
He says: "Well if you want to buy some, this is the best stuff, and there are lots of my customers who want this. If you want to get some real stuff direct from China, now's the time. Otherwise I'll have to sell it to somebody else."
I'm starting to get sweaty. I look at the baggie full of tea and Huong telling me how good this "stuff" is that he just got from China. If I want to get in on some good stuff I'd better buy now, or it'll be gone. I notice people are elbowing each other in the ribs and the "greeter" is starting to get very interested in this interaction.
So I say: "Uh. Huong, I just can't buy any TEA right now because I'm in a huge hurry. I want to DRINK SOME OF THIS TEA before I have your MOM send me some. So if I miss it this time, I'll catch you next time around." And I hurry away, looking over my shoulder for police. . .
That's the story. Nothing else happened. Ihaven't gone in yet to try the tea, if he has any left. It's hard to tell Huong that this whole thing looked very much like a drug deal going down, and that's why I was acting so nrvous and silly, when all he ws trying to do was share some fine Chinese tea with a friend.
Oh boy. And I'm a Christian, a mother, a good wife... and a Girl Scout!
