I was at the grocery store the other day and on one particular aisle I encountered a uniformed store employee and 2 other nicely-dressed men who appeared to be reps for something sold on that aisle. They were conducting their business while I stood about 10 feet away, deciding on a purchase. We did not interact with one another.

 

Anyhoo – as I studied prices and whatnot, one of the supposed reps started talking at an amped-up volume about how “this shit just doesn’t sell.” He must’ve said it about 3 times before going off on some other loud rant. He sounded like a 12-year-old boy, not a middle-aged man (which he clearly was). As it happened, I needed to buy something located just where that guy was standing, but I didn’t have any interest in going near him, so I decided to take care of the rest of my shopping, then hit that aisle last. As I started to push my cart away from their conversation, the uniformed employee asked if I needed any help. As I am just old enough to speak my mind, I said, “I do need something here but I’d rather wait until you all clear out!” At that, all 3 of them said things like, “Don’t go! We’ll help you!” But it was too late. I was already rounding the corner.

 

I am not offended by swearing. In fact, I could probably have given any one of those dudes a run for his money where cussing is concerned. I just know there’s a time and a place. And I’m in control of my faculties and decorum, so I know where and when to let the expletives fly. It seemed to me that the very loud and obnoxious dude wanted to appear professional, and yet he had no idea how to behave as such. For me, nothing about that guy was professional. He just came off as a pud-ski. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

Sometimes we are called upon to teach. (Most of the time we are called upon to learn.) But it wasn’t my job to school that rude dude. That’s his stuff to figure out. Or not. Life’s short. And I want to spend my precious time around friggin’ grown-ups. At least now I know to stay out of the water aisle at my local grocer. Dag.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.