Kerry walked into the upscale dress boutique, her heart set on finding the perfect gown for her granddaughter’s prom. At 68, she prided herself on being a savvy shopper, even if her budget was modest. She approached the saleswoman with a smile, eager to browse the beautiful dresses that lined the walls.

“I’m looking for a dress for my granddaughter. Her prom is coming up,” Kerry explained, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The saleswoman, Sandra, barely looked up from her tablet. “Ugh, this is not a rental store. You have to buy these dresses in full,” she replied dismissively, linking her hands together in a posture of annoyance.

Kerry felt a flicker of irritation but remained polite. “I know that. But can you show me some of the most popular models?”

“Well, the most popular are pretty pricey. In fact, the entire store is not in your price range. You know what? Why don’t you go to Target?” Sandra suggested, her tone dripping with condescension.

Kerry’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had always been thrifty but knew that love and thoughtfulness could go a long way in finding the right dress. She decided not to let Sandra’s rudeness ruin her day. “I’ll just browse around, okay?” she said, forcing a smile.

But Sandra was relentless. “Hey, you! You can really get it at Target in your price range. This is simply too much!” She crossed her arms defiantly. “By the way, we have cameras everywhere. You won’t be able to stash anything in that ugly old bag of yours!”

Kerry felt her heart sink. The insult cut deep, and tears filled her eyes. She quickly turned on her heel and rushed out of the store, humiliated and ashamed.

Five minutes later, after walking a few blocks to gather her thoughts, Kerry spotted a police officer patrolling nearby. She approached him, her voice shaky as she explained the situation.

“I was just trying to find a dress for my granddaughter, and the saleslady was so rude. I don’t want to cause trouble, but I need to stand up for myself,” she said, wiping her tears away.

The officer, understanding and sympathetic, nodded. “Let’s go back and see what we can do.”

They walked back to the boutique together, and Kerry’s heart raced. She felt both anxious and determined. The officer entered the store first, and Sandra looked up, her expression shifting from boredom to surprise as she recognized the officer.

“Ma’am, I’m here to discuss an incident involving this lady,” he said, gesturing to Kerry.

Sandra’s bravado wavered. “Oh, uh, I was just—”

Kerry interjected, finding her voice. “I was only looking for a dress, and I was treated horribly. I just wanted to make my granddaughter happy.”

The officer glanced between Kerry and Sandra. “It’s important to treat customers with respect, no matter their budget. I think you should apologize and make this right.”

Sandra’s eyes widened as she realized the seriousness of the situation. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, her earlier confidence evaporating. “I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way.”

Kerry stood tall, feeling a mixture of relief and empowerment. “Thank you. All I wanted was a chance to find a dress.”

“Let’s see what we can do,” the officer encouraged. He turned to Kerry, “Why don’t you take your time to browse? I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

With a newfound confidence, Kerry stepped back into the boutique. This time, Sandra treated her with a surprising level of courtesy. She guided Kerry through the racks, showcasing dresses that fit her granddaughter’s style while still being within a reasonable budget.

After a while, Kerry found a beautiful dress that seemed perfect. It was modest yet elegant, and she could already imagine her granddaughter’s delight. “I’ll take it,” she said, smiling for the first time since entering the store.

As Kerry made her purchase, she felt a surge of pride. She had stood up for herself and, more importantly, had set an example for her granddaughter about the importance of self-respect.

As she left the store with the dress in hand, she thanked the officer once more. “You helped me regain my dignity today,” she said sincerely.

The officer smiled, tipping his hat. “Just doing my job. Remember, standing up for yourself is always the right choice.”

Kerry walked away feeling lighter, knowing that no one could define her worth—especially not a rude saleslady in a luxury store.