We all remember the famous scene with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany’s all those years ago when they ventured into the exclusive Tiffany’s jewelry store in New York City to buy something special. With only $10.00 to spend they first rejected a sterling silver telephone dialler for $6.75 (in 2024 that would be a steal for sterling but in retrospect a wise move as it would be useless today). They produced a ring salvaged from a box of Cracker Jacks which the kind sales associate assured them they could have engraved within their budget. They were delighted.

One morning last week I ventured into my local Tiffany’s store, albeit a Canadian suburban mall version, to make a very inexpensive and minor purchase. With my preference for silver jewelry (instead of gold), my years-old silver polishing cloth was in dire need of replacement. Thinking my Tiffany’s silver hoop earrings that I purchased about twenty-five years ago when I was still working deserved nothing but the best, I set off for Sherway Gardens.

The door was propped open and welcomed me in, quite a different scene from the restrictive days of COVID-19. In an environment that could have been intimidating, I breezed past the security guard and encountered a contingent of no less than four sales associates standing by waiting to assist me. I made a little joke (I thought) about the abundance of service at my disposal and my purchase being teeny tiny but they were polite, and a lovely gentleman stepped up to serve me.

I explained I was only looking to purchase a silver polishing cloth. With a grand gesture, he accompanied me further into their showroom passing by glittering display cases of diamonds, gold, and silver gems worth more than my house. Stepping behind the counter, he offered two sizes of cloth for my consideration—a 7″ x 7″ for $15.00 and a 12″ x 18″ for $35.00. He even suggested the larger one is better value because I could cut it into smaller cloths and extend its life.

Opting for the premium $35.00 version (I’m worth it), the sales associate carefully produced one of their perfect little Tiffany boxes with a tiny silk pull tab and displayed my new silver polishing cloth. The receipt was proffered in a pristine envelope of high-quality coated paper and I was handed a tiny Tiffany shopping bag with silk cord handles to carry my purchase out of the store for all to see.

The flair reminded me of the scene from another movie, Love Actually, where Alan Rickman’s character (the shit) buys a necklace for his lady friend (not his wife, played by the perfect Emma Thompson). The sales associate, portrayed brilliantly by Rowan Atkinson, spent a painful amount of time making the wrapping extra special with cellophane, silk ribbons, an elaborate gift box, and cascades of fresh lavender and rosemary. By the time, he was wrapping up the performance, Rickman ran out of time and quickly exited.

Feeling confident that my purchase would go far in alleviating the cost of rent for that exquisite store (ha!), I emerged from the hushed space into the bustle of the mall with a huge smile on my face and a hint of Holly Golightly in my step. I may not have Audrey Hepburn’s exquisite beauty, bone structure, or grace, but I was treated by Tiffany’s sales associate that day like I was someone special. I  did not nibble on a breakfast croissant while gazing through the window in the pre-dawn hours but I did follow up my experience with sushi in the food court. Kindness rarely comes from a retail experience but Tiffany’s made me feel special that day. Sometimes life does give us rainbows.

(Disclosure: I am in no way compensated or receive any benefit from Tiffany’s for this post.)