Volunteering
Lael and I got to Oxfam at 3:00 pm. We weren't the only new volunteers -- there were 2 others who were starting with us, including a girl from the Ukraine who has only been in England a week! Janet gave us a quick tour of the shop: the sorting/pricing room, the basement/storage room, and both floors of the store. She wanted us to start working right away, so she taught me how to work the till (cash register) and then left with Lael to work on a window display. I was shocked to be sitting behind the counter after only being in the store for a few minutes! I explained to the first few customers that I had just learned how to use the till, and their smiles helped to ease my anxiety.
I watched an elderly woman as she browsed the clothes and finally settled on this bright blue sparkly top. She brought it over to the counter, and I assumed she was going to buy it. Her question threw me off guard: "Do you think this is my size?" I told her she could try it on in the dressing room, but she said she didn't have the energy. She then asked "Could you measure me instead?" I couldn't believe it. Was she really asking me to do this? I finally found a measuring tape and went to work, measuring all differerent sides and ways, while this woman instructed me what to measure next. She even lifted up her arms to make it easier for me! Haha. At last, we came up with a list of results and compared them to the measurements of the shirt. The shirt ended up being too big, according to the woman (haha), so she disappointedly put it back on the rack. She never thanked me; it almost seemed as though she expected that as part of my job. But this didn't come across as rude either. Interesting experience, that's for sure!
We stayed at Oxfam until closing time, 5:30. Lael and I talked all the way home about how much we enjoyed our time there, and how we really felt connected to the Oxford community through it. When we got back to the house, we made brie and walnut sandwiches! :) Then I worked on editing/organizing pictures for a few hours before heading to bed.
I watched an elderly woman as she browsed the clothes and finally settled on this bright blue sparkly top. She brought it over to the counter, and I assumed she was going to buy it. Her question threw me off guard: "Do you think this is my size?" I told her she could try it on in the dressing room, but she said she didn't have the energy. She then asked "Could you measure me instead?" I couldn't believe it. Was she really asking me to do this? I finally found a measuring tape and went to work, measuring all differerent sides and ways, while this woman instructed me what to measure next. She even lifted up her arms to make it easier for me! Haha. At last, we came up with a list of results and compared them to the measurements of the shirt. The shirt ended up being too big, according to the woman (haha), so she disappointedly put it back on the rack. She never thanked me; it almost seemed as though she expected that as part of my job. But this didn't come across as rude either. Interesting experience, that's for sure!
We stayed at Oxfam until closing time, 5:30. Lael and I talked all the way home about how much we enjoyed our time there, and how we really felt connected to the Oxford community through it. When we got back to the house, we made brie and walnut sandwiches! :) Then I worked on editing/organizing pictures for a few hours before heading to bed.
posted by Lisa @ 8:40 PM
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