SFFDGear.com
Horror at Harrods of London!
This is a true story. Before I even begin, I want everyone to know that I consider it a FUNNY true story, so don't get mad at Harrods. It's their place and they can do what they want - no matter how silly. Or funny.
A little background is in order. Following San Francisco's earthquake in 1989, the San Francisco Fire Department started a civilian program called the Neighborhood Emergency Response Teams, or NERT for short. I still am proud to be a member! I am also a proud member of the civilian Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS), which provides Ham Radio Communications in emergencies. During the early years of my membership, guess where they sent me to serve? San Francisco Firehouses, where I learned to get along very well. A useful skill, I was told, and that is just fine with me.
When I was assigned to a task, I always approached it with a "Failure is not an option" attitude. To absolutely nobody's surprise, that is the general attitude in the Firehouse, and I made friends easily. Learning which Firehouse to go to and which door to knock on (one of those "open secrets" of the day), I discovered the Clothing Depot. In addition to issuing boots, turnouts and helmets to Firefighters, fun shirts, caps and other gear was for sale to everyone in on the "open secret". I took to wearing SFFD themed gear every day - and still do today. Big fun for friends and fans of the SFFD!
The end came in a heartbeat, when a Chief I'll merely call "the mean chief" came to power. He slammed the doors and shut down all the fun faster than a snowball would melt in Hell - and all the goodwill melted just as quickly. The end.
But not so fast! I liked wearing the gear, had made friends with one of the Firefighters who made the gear on his days off, and - well - the idea for SFFDGear.com was born! I learned my way around during my days in Firehouses, and brought the store back - on the Internet! I seem to have the right attitude, and I even hear that the current Chief is a newsletter subscriber and fan!
The point of the above, is to point out that it would not be unexpected of me - in the slightest - to be found in the City of London, UK in September 2007, wearing a nice SFFD Logo Polo-type shirt! In fact, there I was!
The SFFDGear Supermodel (my Girlfriend of several years) went into Harrod's to do some well earned shopping, whilst I made my way to a nearby Fire Station (Note the difference between the American and British terminology).
About Harrods: It is said to be the World's most famous Department Store, where you can get almost ANYTHING. One rumor is that an American President once wanted to donate an elephant to the London Zoo, and sent an aide to Harrods's to buy one. The salesperson asked, "Yes sir, no problem. African or Asian?" I have been in there before, and it is impressive.
Back to the present. The Fire Station was all closed up and nobody was answering the bell, so I decided to join my sweetheart in the world's most famous department store. Then it began...
When I entered the store, a uniformed security guard I'll call "mumble mouth" jumps out in front me, puts his hand in my face and, (It took 4 times to get this) asks, "Are you on duty, sir"? I'm kind of puzzled by the question. It's kind of an odd one to hear, so I answer, "No, I'm on vacation". Another 4 repeats until I understand, "You must leave the store, NOW!" I understand none of this, so I ask him why I'm being asked to leave. (I think it might be the hip pouch I'm carrying).
Finally, "mumble mouth" spits it out that it's my shirt. "Too uniform" he says, and kicks me out of the store. "Nobody in uniform is allowed in the store, unless they're on duty". I don't think I ever said "Excuse me?" more times in 90 seconds in my life.
OK, so there IS one place on the planet where your SFFD Gear isn't welcome! Of course, if you want to add to this, you can email me Here
Me? I spent a nice time strolling the streets of London, looking at the beautiful buildings and people, finally meeting up with my sweetheart when her shopping trip ended. I even met up with some fellow San Franciscans! As I said earlier, don't be mad at them - maybe they have a reason for their rules - and it IS their store, after all.
Epilogue: One of the items she bought was a coffee bean container, which sits on our kitchen counter, and I have to look at the Harrods name and logo every day! How can you beat that, I wake up every morning with a chuckle! I'll never forget the day my SFFD shirt got me kicked out of the world's most famous department store.