Complaints

So, I bought a tall hot chocolate mocha from Starbucks this week in the drive thru. And so, I ordered, paid and received my ‘coffee’ but when I took a sip it did not taste right. I took another sip and another just to make sure, and it was almost tasteless. And so, as I pulled around the store, I debated with myself, do I go inside and complain or just drink what I’ve got and go home. In the past I was always one to say, ‘it’s fine’ and just go on. However, the more I thought about that $5 cup of coffee, the more I realized that I’d be annoyed that I didn’t say anything. Eventually I’d let it go, but it might take the whole ride home from Pekin to do so! So, I went in. I told the barista what happened and she gladly made me another cup. This one was SO much better and I felt really good about my decision (and my taste buds thanked me, too).
The barista who made my first coffee made a mistake. However, she didn’t realize it (at least I assume not) but I can’t blame her if I decide not to say something. I don’t believe I have the right to complain later when I can say something to help make it right then. If it’s my emotional response to the situation, it is MY responsibility to say something to make it right.
And so, my point is this: if something is hurtful, difficult, not right or we’re offended in some way, it is OUR responsibly to respond to that emotion. And I think, too often, we just go along with things in life so that we don’t make a fuss. Maybe we don’t speak up when our waiter brings the wrong dressing on our salad or if the cashier gives us a little less change back than they should or if someone says something offensive but everyone else is laughing so we just keep quiet. And certainly there are times when we need to just let stuff go. If you don’t care about the dressing and you’ll eat it anyway or it’s only a few pennies, please just let it go. However, if it truly is going to get us stirred up and we don’t think we can simply let it go, it is OUR responsibly to say something. In fact, for the sake of our relationship with the other person (or the business) saying something kindly and lovingly is essential.
And usually, when we can find a way to resolve the situation and the tension, the relationship is better. I know I’d be more than happy to visit that Starbucks again because they listened to and fixed my problem. I pray we all have better relationship because we lovingly share our complaints. God bless.