I had the 10 a.m. shift this morning at the front entrance to Walmart. It wasn't as cold this morning, but I still wore my long underwear shirt, my red sweater, and my new Santa hat. Halfway there, it started raining. I wasn't looking forward to getting wet, but before I arrived the rain stopped.
Two ladies from the paper had the 9 a.m. till 10 a.m. shift and they were glad to see me walking up a few minutes early. Apparently, they'd done this in the past and the relief ringers were always on time.
They passed the ringing torch to me and they were off. I know from past experience that some ringers simply stand there and ring the bell. Others wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I took the have fun with early morning Walmart shoppers approach.
"Does this bell make me look fat?"
"Hey, where did you get your license to drive that shopping cart?"
"Hey, don't start with me, I haven't had my coffee yet!!!"
To the Lumis Money Truck driver that was bringing money to Walmart for the day's business, I said, "Hey man, I appreciate you donating, but I don't think all of that money will fit into the kettle.
And so on.
I wasn't sure if it would work or not but after a while, I got in a groove and could tell which people to harass.
It was fun and the hour zipped by. I'm not sure how much the kettle took in, but I think I did OK for the first time.
Two ladies from the paper had the 9 a.m. till 10 a.m. shift and they were glad to see me walking up a few minutes early. Apparently, they'd done this in the past and the relief ringers were always on time.
They passed the ringing torch to me and they were off. I know from past experience that some ringers simply stand there and ring the bell. Others wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I took the have fun with early morning Walmart shoppers approach.
"Does this bell make me look fat?"
"Hey, where did you get your license to drive that shopping cart?"
"Hey, don't start with me, I haven't had my coffee yet!!!"
To the Lumis Money Truck driver that was bringing money to Walmart for the day's business, I said, "Hey man, I appreciate you donating, but I don't think all of that money will fit into the kettle.
And so on.
I wasn't sure if it would work or not but after a while, I got in a groove and could tell which people to harass.
It was fun and the hour zipped by. I'm not sure how much the kettle took in, but I think I did OK for the first time.
A jolly Santa for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe give whether the ringer is 'friendly' or not. But having one like you makes the gift more fun. I know folks appreciate it. But then you are an entertainer also, that way the the ringer business gets two for one.
ReplyDeleteWell you sure make a good looking ringer dinger to me. When my daughter was young, she used to have to put money in every bucket we passed. She is still like that. I will usually drop my change in the bucket as Im leaving the store with a purchase.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Ringing the bell is OK but must get boring after a while. Maybe you could have brought a chair and your guitar and entertained the shoppers. Good entertainment is always a crowd pleaser. I hope your kettle got filled with bills and not just coins.
ReplyDeletePS. You almost look like Santa with contacts.
Hugs, Julia
I agree. Playing your guitar & singing would have gotten you much more money!! Maybe next year?
DeleteHo Ho Ho! Love your Christmas hat !
ReplyDeleteI rang the bell for Salvation Army when I was a senior in high school. It was an experience.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have seen you and I would have dropped in a loonie and 2 twoonies (I think you know what i mean) and I would have loved your humour. My hubby would have loved it and then would start talking to you and probably saying something that I would roll my eyes. I am certain you did well
ReplyDelete