I happened to glance out the front window of my workplace recently. I was very sad to see a friend that owns a business across the street from my workplace removing the name of her business from her window. She closes at the end of the week.

The floral shop that is two doors down from my workplace closed a few months ago. Another friend is missing from our block.

At the end of the month another business a few more doors down is closing. Our block is getting lonelier.

When you live in a small community the loss of a business no matter how small is huge. These businesses offered customers a variety of choices for shopping in our local community. When you walked in the door you were greeted with a smile and called by name. These business owners not only offered us their services but they became our friends.

There are different reasons why these businesses closed. Some were a sign of the economic downturn and others had their personal reasons for deciding to leave their business. Whatever the reason, each business that closes should make us ponder whether we did everything we could to support those businesses. We do not always appreciate what we have until it is gone.

It is hard being in business in 2009. That is a fact no matter if you own a small business or a large business. As consumers we expect the best. We usually have no patience for waiting. We want something and we want it right now.

If we are at a restaurant we want great service, and if it isn’t delivered we let our waitress know and not always kindly. The motto used to be, “The customer is always right” but are we? Are we right if we are rude and obnoxious to the person that is serving us in any business?

We are unhappy about gas prices so we take out our frustration on the person that collects our money. We are unhappy because we can’t get an appointment right away so we take out our frustration on the receptionist. We are unhappy about our utility bills so we take out our frustration on the billing department. Our cable internet is down so we take out our frustration on the service center person.

Recently I listened to a program on WCCO. The program was about poor customer service. Callers railed against the poor customer service they received at many establishments. They also railed against poor customer service from insurance agents, travel agents and waitresses. I have been there. I have done that. But have I ever asked myself if I am a good customer? I don’t mean a good customer in terms of frequenting a business. I mean a good customer in terms of how I treat the person that is serving me no matter how impatient I am. Am I a good customer?

I know the business owners in my community probably have stories to tell about unhappy and impatient customers. They won’t tell their stories out of loyalty to their customers. But if we asked them if they did the best they could do to please their customers I have to believe the answer is yes. I have to believe we would get the same answer if we asked larger businesses and their employees the same thing.

We complain about the high price of gas, food, medical bills and other services. Unfortunately the people who are in the line of fire are those that usually do not set the prices. They usually are people just like us. They do the best they can at their job and they serve their customers no matter how irate we get.

I complain about my utility bills, but if I look at what I get for my money I should not complain. My utility bill heats and cools my house. It helps me wash clothes, cook a meal, gives me hot water for a warm shower and gives me light to read and find my way. If I would compare what I pay a month for my utility bill and compare what I probably spend nickel and diming myself and having nothing to show for it I probably would think I spent wisely for my utilities.

A tank full of gas allows me to visit my children. What I paid for that tank of gas many people probably spend going out to dinner. I can complain about paying for necessities but do I complain about paying for fluffy times?

I want good roads, good schools, good insurance and government services. And I want to complain about high taxes. Again I want good roads, good schools, good insurance and good government services but do I want to pay for any of it? What are my priorities? If I complain how do I complain? Do I verbally abuse the people that are trying to find a solution to these problems? Am I good customer?

Our side of Main Street is going to be emptier with these businesses gone. To those businesses and their owners I would like to say thank you for serving us. You will be missed.