How a Young Man Managed to Defrost Me

I walked into the shop at United Square impatiently and tried to locate a CD that I had been hunting high and low.

A young man approached and offered help. I gave him the name of the vocal group, but he had not heard of it. ‘’What’s new – a typical blur sales assistant in Singapore, ‘’ I thought grumpily. It was late in the afternoon, I had spent hours painting my ceramic, I was hungry and tired and all I wanted was to locate the CD so that I could listen to its beautiful lyrics in detail at home.

But he was patient and persevering. He asked for details, searched and searched, even in the most unlikely sections. I gave up and said, ‘’nevermind – it’s an old CD and I don’t expect many people to carry it’’.

‘’Would you like me to place an order for you,’’ he asked helpfully. Somehow, I was still in a foul mood and was still very impatient as he tried to clarify my written request on his little note book.

But, at the end of the day, it was his patience and smiles that thawed me. How did he manage to maintain his smile and friendliness despite my irritability, clenched jaws and rather terse replies?

After the ‘’thawing’’ I was ready for conversation. I mentioned that I used to shop at his store when it was at Park Mall. Then, I was serviced by two other chaps, somewhat older than him. His eyes lit up and seemed so grateful for my past patronage. He said he used to be at Park Mall too - they were all there for more than 10 years….

By now the young man – Lionel as he introduced himself – has won my confidence and ‘’approval’’. He may be young, soft spoken and unaware of the group I had requested for, but I was very impressed by his positive attitude, enthusiasm and appreciation of my past patronage. I even asked about some other lounge music that I liked and he was quick to show me his selection and make recommendations.

I recalled how almost every Sunday, after church service, gym work out and lunch, Ji Lean and I would go to CD Plus at Park Mall – where Alan would recommend new age and foreign albums for me and Mandarin ones for Ji Lean.

It was a tiny shop with limited collection but we appreciated Alan’s personal attention and service. He could even remember or remind us of the CD’s that we already owned, and shared our enthusiasm for certain albums.

Now, many years later, we have changed our routine and no longer visit Park Mall or the gym at Fort Canning. And CD Plus has moved to this beautiful and posh-looking shop at United Square.

But I am so glad that some things have not changed. Like the cheerful and friendly service, the reminisce and the conversations that I can still share with the shop assistants.