Someone, one of those ‘kick you when you’re down’ kind of people sent a nasty sms to our sms line about my my column of two weeks ago.

The sms was not published, as our news editor felt that it was a personal attack on me, and the line really is there for opinions, and not personal issues with any of the journalists.

Luckily this is MY coloumn in which a can write about pretty much anything. The person’s sms said "I am not interested in your life, Cerise, concern yourself with news, really." (In Afrikaans though, making the ‘really’ ‘wraggies’).

I have no idea who the person is, and considering how nasty they are, have no desire to know either. What I would like to say to them, however, is – this is a column. Here we have the opportunity to write about anything we feel like, thus the name "The way I (Me, Cerise, not you or anyone else) see it."

If you, dear sms friend, do not like what is written here, then don’t read it. If you are so concerned about news, read page three where all the yucky, gory stuff is. (No doubt you will complain about what’s on there this week too). And I can almost guarantee, there will be another sms about my column this week, because it’s your kind who bitch and moan, but cannot wait to see if there’s a reaction the next week – and will read this column right to the end today.

Right about now you’ll be fuming and puffing and flapping, which I think is just another sign that you should rather concern yourself with news.

The next, more positive thing is – there are two businesses in Carletonville and Fochville that I think really need praise.

The first is the Spur. I know that many people are not happy with the Spur’s service and food – I know because I was one of them. I called the head office and complained. A short while after my complaints, the manageress, Nita, called and asked me so nicely to come back and see if things had improved. I went back with a friend and her son. The service was great and in the end, Nita refused to accept payment from us, saying that it was her way of showing us that things were better.

I am not promoting Spur, but I do think it’s great that Nita accepted that there were faults, corrected them and even did the effort to call and ask us to come back. What business ever does that? Hats off to you Nita.

The second business is President Hyper. This is the only place I will shop. Sometimes there are goodies I look for that aren’t always kept by the store, or perhaps even out of stock. When you receive the warm, friendly response from the staff you ask for whatever it may be, however, it really doesn’t even bug you that you didn’t get your item.

Every single staff member in President, from the packers and cashiers, all the way up to top management, is beyond friendly and helpful. Somehow these people are kept motivated and you can see how positive they are and how proud they are to work for this wonderful store.

I popped in to buy a few goods the other day, and as I walked through one of the aisles, a packer said, "Wow mam, I always see you here and I just want to say, you always look so pretty." Obviously the compliment made me feel great, but what mattered more, is the fact that even the packers get to know their customers, and know which faces are regulars.

I then stood at the meat deciding on what to buy, when a very friendly lady from the butchery came out and said, "what do you intend on preparing for supper?" And then she made all sorts of suggestions. How nice is that?

As I paid, the cashier was so friendly (and this at 18:00 at night, after a really long day). "It’s nice to see you again," she said. I walked out with my shopping bags, and watched as Mr. Synodinos smiled and waved.

I want to congratulate the President Hyper team, on an excellent shop with excellent staff and excellent service every single day.