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This tale of what happened today is way lengthier and more detailed than necessary considering the whole ordeal was over in less than 30 seconds. It was just such an enjoyable moment to witness so I felt like getting it all down.
There is a convenience store down the street that I find myself needing to pop by at least three times a week. Usually it is on my way to work if I need an energy drink or to fill up my car.
In all my years going there I've noticed another regular customer. He seems to stop by every single day for a $1 soda refill. He's one of those people that feels the absolute need to stand as close as humanly possible to people in line. I'm talking close enough so that if you were to lean back ever so slightly then the back of your head would bump against his nose. I mostly wear collared shirts or jackets but there have been times when I've worn t-shirts and have actually felt his breath on the back of my neck, he stands that close.
I put together this highly professional and artistic rendition
No amount of turning around and shooting him dirty looks seems to get the hint across.
He seems to be in so much of a rush that if you scoot forward even just a few centimeters he'll do the same thing. He's like a parasite that latches on to the unfortunate souls who have the audacity to come before him in line.
It doesn't end there. When the person in front of him is being helped and he is the next in line he actually has the nerve to go to the counter with them. There he'll place his soda next to their belongings on the counter, stand uncomfortably close to them, cross his arms with dollar in hand, and stare directly at them throughout the duration of their transaction.
Judging by the suits her wears, the fancy car he drives, and the way he presents himself I'm guessing he makes a lot of money. Not to generalize all wealthy people as being condescending but he does seem to view "normal" people as beneath him as if we are peasants.
I think one of the most frustrating part of this is that the store has a LOT of regulars who come in for $1 soda or coffee refills. The cashiers have been there for years and are good at remembering faces so they don't have a problem with people just handing a dollar bill over the register on their way out with a friendly nod of acknowledgment. No standing in line necessary. This guy has seen people do that and could save a lot of apparent inconvenience by doing so but he chooses to stand in line and make people uncomfortable.
This morning I had to stop by and it looks like he stood next to the wrong guy.
SC = grumpy soda man
MH = my hero
E = employee
It was MH's turn so he went up to the counter. He was purchasing a coffee. Like always, SC went up and did his usual routine.
E: Anything else today?
MH: Uhh yes actually, can I please have two packs of Marlboro Reds, uhh, one of the genie scratchers, and $15 on pump 4.
SC: [audible dramatic sigh]
MH: [looks over at MH then faces forward]
SC: [sigh]
MH: [looks over at MH again]
SC: [throws his hands up in the air palms-up and shrugs as if to imply he's waiting]
MH: Dude, you are standing way too close to me right now. Back off.
SC: Well "dude" hurry up and decide what you want already.
MH: I know exactly what I want and right now you are pissing me off so I want you to go stand somewhere else.
SC: [mocking MH] "UHH, UHH, UHH, UHH"
MH: Man why are you even up here with me right now? What is your problem?
SC: SOME of us are busy people and you're taking 30 goddamn minutes to figure out what you want. You should know what you want before you get to the goddamn counter. This is a convenience store, not the garden department at K-Mart.
MH: What? Whatever man. You have some issues you need to work on.
SC: My issue is with people who take their sweet time when I have shit to do. Some of us have jobs to go to. [conveniently failing to notice that MH was clearly a painter on a break, judging by his paint-stained overalls and hat]
At that point the employee was back from fetching the cigarettes and he saw what was going on. SC already had his dollar in hand.
E: Here, I can take that dollar from you.
SC: THANK you. About time.
E: No problem. See you tomorrow.
SC stormed out much to relief of everyone else.
The cashier is a genuinely kind, polite person. I've never heard him say a bad thing about anything or anyone. Even when dealing with cranky customers he maintains a positive attitude and lets everything roll right off his back. On this occasion? The second the door shut he said "Man, that guy is a dick. I've been waiting for someone to finally say something to him"
I doubt this will change SC's ways but it was nice to see someone say something. I'll admit that sometimes in line I get annoyed if the person at the counter buys what I feel is an excessive amount of lottery tickets or scratchers because it can take up so much time. But berating someone for a few extra items that only take maybe 20 seconds tops for the cashier to retrieve?
On a side note, I'm still wondering what the garden department at K-Mart has to do with anything.
There is a convenience store down the street that I find myself needing to pop by at least three times a week. Usually it is on my way to work if I need an energy drink or to fill up my car.
In all my years going there I've noticed another regular customer. He seems to stop by every single day for a $1 soda refill. He's one of those people that feels the absolute need to stand as close as humanly possible to people in line. I'm talking close enough so that if you were to lean back ever so slightly then the back of your head would bump against his nose. I mostly wear collared shirts or jackets but there have been times when I've worn t-shirts and have actually felt his breath on the back of my neck, he stands that close.
I put together this highly professional and artistic rendition
No amount of turning around and shooting him dirty looks seems to get the hint across.
He seems to be in so much of a rush that if you scoot forward even just a few centimeters he'll do the same thing. He's like a parasite that latches on to the unfortunate souls who have the audacity to come before him in line.
It doesn't end there. When the person in front of him is being helped and he is the next in line he actually has the nerve to go to the counter with them. There he'll place his soda next to their belongings on the counter, stand uncomfortably close to them, cross his arms with dollar in hand, and stare directly at them throughout the duration of their transaction.
Judging by the suits her wears, the fancy car he drives, and the way he presents himself I'm guessing he makes a lot of money. Not to generalize all wealthy people as being condescending but he does seem to view "normal" people as beneath him as if we are peasants.
I think one of the most frustrating part of this is that the store has a LOT of regulars who come in for $1 soda or coffee refills. The cashiers have been there for years and are good at remembering faces so they don't have a problem with people just handing a dollar bill over the register on their way out with a friendly nod of acknowledgment. No standing in line necessary. This guy has seen people do that and could save a lot of apparent inconvenience by doing so but he chooses to stand in line and make people uncomfortable.
This morning I had to stop by and it looks like he stood next to the wrong guy.
SC = grumpy soda man
MH = my hero
E = employee
It was MH's turn so he went up to the counter. He was purchasing a coffee. Like always, SC went up and did his usual routine.
E: Anything else today?
MH: Uhh yes actually, can I please have two packs of Marlboro Reds, uhh, one of the genie scratchers, and $15 on pump 4.
SC: [audible dramatic sigh]
MH: [looks over at MH then faces forward]
SC: [sigh]
MH: [looks over at MH again]
SC: [throws his hands up in the air palms-up and shrugs as if to imply he's waiting]
MH: Dude, you are standing way too close to me right now. Back off.
SC: Well "dude" hurry up and decide what you want already.
MH: I know exactly what I want and right now you are pissing me off so I want you to go stand somewhere else.
SC: [mocking MH] "UHH, UHH, UHH, UHH"
MH: Man why are you even up here with me right now? What is your problem?
SC: SOME of us are busy people and you're taking 30 goddamn minutes to figure out what you want. You should know what you want before you get to the goddamn counter. This is a convenience store, not the garden department at K-Mart.
MH: What? Whatever man. You have some issues you need to work on.
SC: My issue is with people who take their sweet time when I have shit to do. Some of us have jobs to go to. [conveniently failing to notice that MH was clearly a painter on a break, judging by his paint-stained overalls and hat]
At that point the employee was back from fetching the cigarettes and he saw what was going on. SC already had his dollar in hand.
E: Here, I can take that dollar from you.
SC: THANK you. About time.
E: No problem. See you tomorrow.
SC stormed out much to relief of everyone else.
The cashier is a genuinely kind, polite person. I've never heard him say a bad thing about anything or anyone. Even when dealing with cranky customers he maintains a positive attitude and lets everything roll right off his back. On this occasion? The second the door shut he said "Man, that guy is a dick. I've been waiting for someone to finally say something to him"
I doubt this will change SC's ways but it was nice to see someone say something. I'll admit that sometimes in line I get annoyed if the person at the counter buys what I feel is an excessive amount of lottery tickets or scratchers because it can take up so much time. But berating someone for a few extra items that only take maybe 20 seconds tops for the cashier to retrieve?
On a side note, I'm still wondering what the garden department at K-Mart has to do with anything.
He kept his distance after that.
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