GlossyVeneer

My husband has often expressed frustration when clerks at various stores have commented on purchases we were making. Most of the time we’ve been at stores where I could see the clerk’s side of things… if I worked at that place (wherever it was we’ve been) I would probably notice all kinds of products that would spark a little intrigue. I don’t think I would have the nerve to comment on the items though.

But the other day, I had an experience that pushed the levels of my frustration. It pushed me right into flat-out annoyed territory.

I was at the grocery store. I loaded my items onto the conveyor belt. The clerk smiled at me and started to pick things up to scan them.

The first couple items… she just scanned and sent toward the bagging area.

Then there was the pack of gum I bought. It was Extra Strawberry Banana flavor, kind of unusual. She picks it up, turns it around in her hand several times and said, “Strawberry Banana gum.. well I never! Where on earth did you find that?!”

I pointed to the display of gum that was at her checkout stand. “Right there.”

She chuckled, “Well, that’s just the craziest flavor ever!”

Next she picks up my bag of popcorn. “Plain old popcorn! That you have to pop yourself?! I didn’t know they even made this stuff anymore. Seems like you can get that microwave kind for so cheap and its so easy!”

Thinking to myself, “That kind of popcorn is more economical, healthful and not really difficult. Plus it often seems like it is gone whenever I need to buy it, so apparently several other people in the world buy it as well.” But instead, I just kind of nodded at her.

Then she looks at the conveyor belt. “Boy, you sure do like vegetables, huh? Look at that, there’s probably about 20 different kinds here!”

Actually, there were 5 or 6… but maybe she’s not very good with counting.

Then she picked up one of the produce bags, held it up and said, “Do you know what this is?”

Huh?! No.. I have no idea what it is, I just thought it was pretty! “It’s a zucchini.”

“Zu-kee-nee… never had one of them before. I’ll just find the code.”

Then it was time to bag up my groceries. I had actually remembered to bring my re-usable bags and whipped them out, only to have her say, “Oooh… you’ll have to put the groceries in those bags yourself. I only know how to bag the stuff in the plastic bags.”

I couldn’t get away fast enough.