We are retail whores.

I write this entry and shudder with embarrassment. Though we are the perfect example of the classic yet endangered hip mom and pop store: environmentally conscious, liberal, artsy, supportive of local business, there are areas in which we are simply LAME. The most recent example being our surrender to the marketing frenzy surrounding valentine's day. What holiday exists that is more pathetic to sell out to? Isn't it common knowledge that Hallmark invented valentine's day just as a ploy to sell more crap during an otherwise slow time for the greeting card industry? I guess Cafe Nasty didn't get the memo, cuz we let ourselves get sucked into the retail vortex and now we are releasing a special series of red mugs for your valentine honey and I am just ashamed.
To be fair, boss lady is not a greedy or shallow person when it comes to business. She is, however, slightly brittle and easily swayed by the opinions of other jerks. About a year ago, she hired a woman, Katherine, who hails from a lifetime of behind the counter glory. Katherine's gaping hole of a mouth constantly spews ridiculous moneymaking schemes and usually boss lady is too tired to say no to them. There was the erection of a huge and asthetically brutal T-shirt display that Katherine put up in a completely inappropriate place that's in everybody's way. Then there was the introduction of a whole new line of merchandise- costly handmade coffee canisters engraved with Cafe Nasty's logo, ugly mugs in pastel colors that look like toothbrush holders, these overpriced chocolate cherries from California that taste like prunes dipped in feces. And now tacky metal coffee mugs ensheathed in haphazardly glued on red faux leather for the big V-Day.
What can I say? I've offered my input ("those are the tackiest things I've ever seen") at past manager's meetings, but I know that I will never in my life be as persuasive as Katherine. Anyone who thinks they are strong enough to stand their ground while she badgers and "suggests" ways to improve things (that's what she is- an "improver"-barf) has no idea what this woman is capable of. I fear her, and what she may do next.
Cafe Nasty Easter Eggs? Chocolate covered espresso beans in the Kwaanza colors?