Hate to say it, because I'm a big supporter of small businesses in Old Bowie, but had an unfortunate experience today at the Pink Orchid. I walked in to order a centerpiece and was kindly told by the owner it would be ready in an hour. I returned more than two hours later and still had to wait, which was fine - I realize it's Mother's Day weekend and they're busy, so I waited patiently without complaint.
When the owner presented me with a perfectly satisfactory centerpiece, she began to chide me for not giving her enough time. I explained that she told me to return in an hour and I had come back in two. At which point, she said she prefers two to three days notice when they're busy. I said she should have told me if it was too much to handle and I would have gone to another florist. At that point, she accused me of being rude, adding with obvious regret that she had given me "priority service," which was "nice of a florist to do at Mother's Day."
Friendly advice to the small-time florist: Apologize to the customer for not having the product ready when you said you would, and add a cheery "thank you and come again!" as they leave. Your problems handling the rush are not the customer's fault. Be grateful you have so much business. Instead, the Pink Orchid lost a customer today. What a shame. I wish them well.