When I was home for Christmas break during my first year at university, I worked as a seasonal sales clerk at Birk's jewelry store.

This was a pretentious place. Even the sales people were snooty.

The merchandise was unusual, exquisite and COSTLY!

I really enjoyed dusting everything. It gave me a chance to examine things up close.

Exotic chess sets from the other side of the world. Alligator skin covered walking sticks with real gold trim, fine calfskin purses.

Diamonds, precious gems, cultured pearls and fine gold were the biggest sellers.

The blue velvet Birk's box was a status symbol.

Most of the people who came into the store LOOKED rich. Their clothes were immaculate and expensive looking, and they carried themselves in a regal manner.

There was one exception. When a shabby looking elderly lady walked into the store, I expected her to be snubbed by the sales staff.

She came to my counter! I was selling leather goods that day. I helped her pick out a purse and matching soft blue leather gloves.

The shopper put a parcel on the counter. It was wrapped in a small brown paper bag and tied with string.

She untied the string and took a large wad of fifty and one hundred dollar bills out of the bag.

I rang up her order and she counted out the money while placing it in my hand.

While I wrapped her purse and gloves in tissue paper, the eccentric woman carefully counted her change, and placed all of the money back into the paper bag. After folding down the top of the bag, she tied it securely with the string.

The shopper was peculiar, but she smiled and thanked me before heading to the jewellery department.

On Christmas Eve, about twenty minutes before closing time, a frazzled physician came to my station and asked me to help him pick out a gift for his wife AND his younger girlfriend.

I calmed him down, and he left the store with the Birk's boxes and a smile on his face.

The craziest thing I witnessed a man buying was a SOLID GOLD TOOTHPICK. The perfect gift for the person who has everything!