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I was feeling rather unmotivated today. Sundays are usually mindnumbingly slow and boring. I get everything on my chore list done early, then watch the clock for hours on end in between customers. I've learned to bring a puzzle book with me because I otherwise would go stir crazy. So, by midshift on Sundays, I find myself leaning against the back counter working the puzzle book on one of the stray clipboards.
First...
This woman approaches the counter, and asks if I have a tissue. She informs me that her leg is bleeding with no explanation of why. So, I point her to the napkin dispenser at the end of the counter. I ask her if she needs a bandage, and she says she's okay. So, I return to my puzzle book, glancing up every now and then to watch my only customer go about her shopping. She returns to the counter a few minutes later, and we briefly chat as I ring her purchase up. I collect her payment, and proceed to count her change. She suddenly asks me if she has anything up her nose.
My mind is still on counting her change, so it took me a second to register what she'd just asked. I look at her to hand her the change, and she has her head tilted up and her nose peeled back with her finger so that I may see up her nose. Her other hand is outstretched to receive her change. I just let the change slide off my hand, and look anywhere else, "Nope, don't see anything."
I didn't even consciously hear the rest of what she said. I just thought to myself that I would have went to the restroom to take care of nose troubles rather than asking some stranger about it. I just offered a quick, "Yep, the allergens are bad lately," and returned to my puzzle book. She chats at me a minute or two longer, and I just go on auto pilot responding so as to not seem rude. She leaves without incident shortly afterward, and I go back to my puzzle book.
Second...
A while later, a small rush of customers comes in. It's almost beer sales time. This old man comes to the counter hobbling on one leg and two crutches. He pays for a bottle of soda in small change, taking a few moments to count it. He then just stands there situating himself. I ask him if I can help him, and he says no. Okay, the line is starting to build behind him. Then, he starts asking if any of the lighters are windproof. I show him a couple that I think are windproof. He then asks if I have "propane" for the lighter. I grab him a small bottle of butane, "I think butane is what you want." He slowly digs out cash to pay for it all the while the line starts to build. I silently groan to myself wondering why I get to deal with this mess as everyone keeps staring back and forth between the old man and me. The old man takes a few more minutes to situate himself, ignoring my attempts to offer him any help that may speed him on his way so I can get the rest of the line. The man finally hobbles for the door.
The next man rightfully in line had been waiting for time to buy beer. He was a semi-regular, so I kind of knew him. However, these two Mexican plopped down a couple of cases of beer. I look at them funny, and tell them they need to wait in line. I point to the guy who had been patiently waiting behind the lost old man, "He's been waiting, so he's next in line."
They start in with the no English crap which just pisses me off. I repeat myself, a bit more impatiently, pointing emphatically at the line, "He's next. He's been waiting patiently. You need to get in line." They just stand in the way looking blankly. I point at the line, "Go! Wait your turn!" They don't budge.
The man in line shoots me a sympathetic look, and I nod in acknowledgement. He rolls his eyes looking at them, "Just get them out of here...."
I sigh, "Okay."
I ring the Mexicans up, and ask for ID. One of them fumbles for an ID, and hands it to me. I look at the other one, "I need to see yours, too."
He just grins big, "No, he payin."
I'm gritting my teeth in impatience. "I have to see both IDs, or no beer."
He just keeps grinning big.
I start to remove the beer from the counter.
He finally fishes his ID out, too. I look at both of them, and type in the more recent date. The first Mexican hands me this wadded mess of money. I just roll my eyes as I unwad and sort the mess. I count out what I need, and toss the rest of it back on the counter. I gather the change and set it on the counter. They gather their money and beer, and finally leave.
The man who should have been next steps forward and sets his beer on the counter, "I bet they wear you out some days."
I nod, "Yeah... sorry about this mess."
"It's okay. I'm in no hurry."
I pick up one of his beer bottles, and scan it, "Something tells me I'll be downing a few of these when I get home today. I already have my case waiting at home."
"I bet."
"Yeah, this job drives you to it somedays."
I collect his payment, and give his change.
"Hope it gets better."
"Thanks, it will when I go home."
"It's always better on the other side of the counter."
"You got that right. Have a good day."
He leaves, and I actually manage to whittle the rest of the line down in no time.
I go back to my puzzle book for a few more minutes once the line was gone.
Third...
Then comes another small rush.
I'm waiting on a customer, and the pumps beep. I look up, and see a guy waving from the one pump that has a red OUT OF ORDER bag on the hand. I just disregard it and turn back to the customer I'm ringing up. The pump stops beeping. It starts beeping again. I look up once again. The same guy at the OUT OF ORDER pump is waving for attention.
I just shrug, and look at the customer I'm ringing, "Some people are really smart standing at the one OUT OF ORDER pump wanting to get gas."
This puzzled look comes over his face, and he looks outside. "Yeah, I'd say so. I can see it from here, and figure it out."
I just started laughing to myself, "I guess he'll figure it out eventually."
The register customer just shakes his head. I go about finishing the transaction. The pump finally quits beeping. The gas pump customer finally got the point, and moved to a different pump. I authorized it, he came in and paid, and that was that one.
Fourth....
Later, came the customer complaining about the cost of individual cigars. He wanted this one, then changed it a couple of times before finally making a decision. I just tuned it out as he muttered about it being ridiculous. I tossed his change on the counter, and returned without a word to my puzzle book. He gathered up his change walked halfway to the door, then turned back to look at me. I just looked up from my puzzle book without saying anything. It was clearly the silent, "What do you want?" stare. He stared a second longer, then turned around and walked out.
GOOD RIDDANCE!
Fifth.....
Then came the self-important pompous ass who felt he must let me know that he was inconvenienced because he had to come in to get his receipt. I'd had a few customers coming and going, so I wasn't paying attention to pay-at-the-pump customers. I was watching in-store customers, waiting for the next one to come to the register. He pops in, "Is the receipt printer not working? I want my receipt."
"Which pump are you?"
He just gestures as if I'm supposed to understand his charades.
"I count three cars out there, so you'll have to tell me which one is yours."
"The gray one."
I proceed to print out the receipt.
Demanding tone, "So, is it not working?"
"They stick all the time, so it's hard telling." They really do stick all the time because most people just yank the receipts, and that causes the paper to curl up and bind inside the feeder.
He repeats the question with the same demanding tone. I was starting to get pissed at the attitude of the tone. Let it go, damn.
"Obviously if you had to come in for your receipt, something didn't go right."
I tossed the receipt on the counter.
He just stood there looking at it. "I want my receipt."
"It's on the counter."
I just stood my ground.
He looked at the receipt, but made no move to grab it. I'm sure he expected me to hand it to him, but I refused. His legs weren't broken although I could have easily arranged that by this time.
I just started writing down the receipts I hadn't already recorded for my shift.
He finally got the point, and snatched it up hatefully, grumbling about the printer not working.
I just shrugged it off, and returned to my puzzle book.
Last....
A group of neighborhood boys came in, and got cappuccinos. They were messing around with the flavored syrups, sugar packets and everything else. I was watching them, and they knew it. They started to walk away, and had left a disaster.
"I would appreciate it if you clean up your papers since there is a trash can right there."
"Oh sorry...." They skulked back to pick up their trash. Yeah, you guys would have been sorry if you were my kids acting like that in public.
They finished picking up the trash, and walked over to the counter. I rang them up, and they left.
That finally put me into the last hour of the shift.
I did shift change early during the last dead space between customers so I would be ready to go as soon as relief arrived. I told the next shift that I was ready to kill someone, so I was doing my shift paperwork, then gone home to better things and lots of beer.
First...
This woman approaches the counter, and asks if I have a tissue. She informs me that her leg is bleeding with no explanation of why. So, I point her to the napkin dispenser at the end of the counter. I ask her if she needs a bandage, and she says she's okay. So, I return to my puzzle book, glancing up every now and then to watch my only customer go about her shopping. She returns to the counter a few minutes later, and we briefly chat as I ring her purchase up. I collect her payment, and proceed to count her change. She suddenly asks me if she has anything up her nose.
My mind is still on counting her change, so it took me a second to register what she'd just asked. I look at her to hand her the change, and she has her head tilted up and her nose peeled back with her finger so that I may see up her nose. Her other hand is outstretched to receive her change. I just let the change slide off my hand, and look anywhere else, "Nope, don't see anything."
I didn't even consciously hear the rest of what she said. I just thought to myself that I would have went to the restroom to take care of nose troubles rather than asking some stranger about it. I just offered a quick, "Yep, the allergens are bad lately," and returned to my puzzle book. She chats at me a minute or two longer, and I just go on auto pilot responding so as to not seem rude. She leaves without incident shortly afterward, and I go back to my puzzle book.
Second...
A while later, a small rush of customers comes in. It's almost beer sales time. This old man comes to the counter hobbling on one leg and two crutches. He pays for a bottle of soda in small change, taking a few moments to count it. He then just stands there situating himself. I ask him if I can help him, and he says no. Okay, the line is starting to build behind him. Then, he starts asking if any of the lighters are windproof. I show him a couple that I think are windproof. He then asks if I have "propane" for the lighter. I grab him a small bottle of butane, "I think butane is what you want." He slowly digs out cash to pay for it all the while the line starts to build. I silently groan to myself wondering why I get to deal with this mess as everyone keeps staring back and forth between the old man and me. The old man takes a few more minutes to situate himself, ignoring my attempts to offer him any help that may speed him on his way so I can get the rest of the line. The man finally hobbles for the door.
The next man rightfully in line had been waiting for time to buy beer. He was a semi-regular, so I kind of knew him. However, these two Mexican plopped down a couple of cases of beer. I look at them funny, and tell them they need to wait in line. I point to the guy who had been patiently waiting behind the lost old man, "He's been waiting, so he's next in line."
They start in with the no English crap which just pisses me off. I repeat myself, a bit more impatiently, pointing emphatically at the line, "He's next. He's been waiting patiently. You need to get in line." They just stand in the way looking blankly. I point at the line, "Go! Wait your turn!" They don't budge.
The man in line shoots me a sympathetic look, and I nod in acknowledgement. He rolls his eyes looking at them, "Just get them out of here...."
I sigh, "Okay."
I ring the Mexicans up, and ask for ID. One of them fumbles for an ID, and hands it to me. I look at the other one, "I need to see yours, too."
He just grins big, "No, he payin."
I'm gritting my teeth in impatience. "I have to see both IDs, or no beer."
He just keeps grinning big.
I start to remove the beer from the counter.
He finally fishes his ID out, too. I look at both of them, and type in the more recent date. The first Mexican hands me this wadded mess of money. I just roll my eyes as I unwad and sort the mess. I count out what I need, and toss the rest of it back on the counter. I gather the change and set it on the counter. They gather their money and beer, and finally leave.
The man who should have been next steps forward and sets his beer on the counter, "I bet they wear you out some days."
I nod, "Yeah... sorry about this mess."
"It's okay. I'm in no hurry."
I pick up one of his beer bottles, and scan it, "Something tells me I'll be downing a few of these when I get home today. I already have my case waiting at home."
"I bet."
"Yeah, this job drives you to it somedays."
I collect his payment, and give his change.
"Hope it gets better."
"Thanks, it will when I go home."
"It's always better on the other side of the counter."
"You got that right. Have a good day."
He leaves, and I actually manage to whittle the rest of the line down in no time.
I go back to my puzzle book for a few more minutes once the line was gone.
Third...
Then comes another small rush.
I'm waiting on a customer, and the pumps beep. I look up, and see a guy waving from the one pump that has a red OUT OF ORDER bag on the hand. I just disregard it and turn back to the customer I'm ringing up. The pump stops beeping. It starts beeping again. I look up once again. The same guy at the OUT OF ORDER pump is waving for attention.
I just shrug, and look at the customer I'm ringing, "Some people are really smart standing at the one OUT OF ORDER pump wanting to get gas."
This puzzled look comes over his face, and he looks outside. "Yeah, I'd say so. I can see it from here, and figure it out."
I just started laughing to myself, "I guess he'll figure it out eventually."
The register customer just shakes his head. I go about finishing the transaction. The pump finally quits beeping. The gas pump customer finally got the point, and moved to a different pump. I authorized it, he came in and paid, and that was that one.
Fourth....
Later, came the customer complaining about the cost of individual cigars. He wanted this one, then changed it a couple of times before finally making a decision. I just tuned it out as he muttered about it being ridiculous. I tossed his change on the counter, and returned without a word to my puzzle book. He gathered up his change walked halfway to the door, then turned back to look at me. I just looked up from my puzzle book without saying anything. It was clearly the silent, "What do you want?" stare. He stared a second longer, then turned around and walked out.
GOOD RIDDANCE!
Fifth.....
Then came the self-important pompous ass who felt he must let me know that he was inconvenienced because he had to come in to get his receipt. I'd had a few customers coming and going, so I wasn't paying attention to pay-at-the-pump customers. I was watching in-store customers, waiting for the next one to come to the register. He pops in, "Is the receipt printer not working? I want my receipt."
"Which pump are you?"
He just gestures as if I'm supposed to understand his charades.
"I count three cars out there, so you'll have to tell me which one is yours."
"The gray one."
I proceed to print out the receipt.
Demanding tone, "So, is it not working?"
"They stick all the time, so it's hard telling." They really do stick all the time because most people just yank the receipts, and that causes the paper to curl up and bind inside the feeder.
He repeats the question with the same demanding tone. I was starting to get pissed at the attitude of the tone. Let it go, damn.
"Obviously if you had to come in for your receipt, something didn't go right."
I tossed the receipt on the counter.
He just stood there looking at it. "I want my receipt."
"It's on the counter."
I just stood my ground.
He looked at the receipt, but made no move to grab it. I'm sure he expected me to hand it to him, but I refused. His legs weren't broken although I could have easily arranged that by this time.
I just started writing down the receipts I hadn't already recorded for my shift.
He finally got the point, and snatched it up hatefully, grumbling about the printer not working.
I just shrugged it off, and returned to my puzzle book.
Last....
A group of neighborhood boys came in, and got cappuccinos. They were messing around with the flavored syrups, sugar packets and everything else. I was watching them, and they knew it. They started to walk away, and had left a disaster.
"I would appreciate it if you clean up your papers since there is a trash can right there."
"Oh sorry...." They skulked back to pick up their trash. Yeah, you guys would have been sorry if you were my kids acting like that in public.
They finished picking up the trash, and walked over to the counter. I rang them up, and they left.
That finally put me into the last hour of the shift.
I did shift change early during the last dead space between customers so I would be ready to go as soon as relief arrived. I told the next shift that I was ready to kill someone, so I was doing my shift paperwork, then gone home to better things and lots of beer.