Two random things
1. When I am shopping, I don't want strangers to talk to me. It's fine if it's some nice elderly person or someone using a wheelchair asking me to reach something on a shelf for them. But just some intrusive busybody trying to point out a sale to me (because, hi, I can't read signs) or worse yet, one of those super-annoying, pushy checkout-traffic-controllers that EVERY damned supermarket seems to have now? Just... no.
"Ma'am? Excuse me? Ma'am???" (as I am walking away after having selected a product and put it in my cart) "Did you see that these (same product, different brand) are buy one, get one free???"
I ponder possible responses. Among them, "yes, but I don't care, that brand sucks" or the ever-popular "excuse me, do I *KNOW* you?" (accompanied by a withering glare).
Instead, I just shake my head and walk away.
I'm sure the lady was thinking, "Wow, what a bitch," but ya know...? If I want your advice I'll ask for it, mmm'kay?
And then later I am going to the checkout...
I walk down the aisle in front of all the registers, quickly assessing the open lines (how many people in each line, how full the carts, etc.) then choose a line and get in it.
Pushy Checkout Traffic Controller: (approaches me) "The line in Lane 18 is shorter." (note: I am in Lane 19)
Me: "Umm, I can see the line in Lane 18 from here, thanks. I'll stay where I am."
PCTC: (persistently) "They're opening Lane 23 now."
Me: (slowly and meaningfully) "Go. Away."
About an hour later at another supermarket..
PCTC #2: "Why don't you come over to Lane #5?"
(I hadn't selected a register yet so I head toward Lane #5)
(As I am almost to the lane, she stands in front of me, physically blocking my cart.)
PCTC #2: "Actually you can go right to the Express Lane, which is #1..."
Me: (struggling to keep my voice calm and even) "You directed me to Lane #5. I am now in front of Lane #5. I am NOT going to turn around now and go to Lane #1. Please move out of my way."
Honestly, is it a requirement for these people to have IQ's less than 70 to hold this "job?" And while I'm at it, why does this "job" even exist?
2. I don't watch a lot of daytime TV, but I happen to have it on today as background noise while I am performing various household chores. And I would just like to say, damn-- I never realized exactly how many of these "judge" shows are on now. Judge Wapner started the whole thing with The People's Court back in the 80's. And then there was Judge Judy and Divorce Court and now about 50 more of them.
The one thing they have in common is that 90+% of the people-- plaintiffs and defendants-- appear to be complete morons. I believe that any one of them would easily qualify for a job as a Checkout Traffic Controller. I finally had to turn off "Judge Alex" because Teh St00pid was hurting me soooo baaaad.
"Ma'am? Excuse me? Ma'am???" (as I am walking away after having selected a product and put it in my cart) "Did you see that these (same product, different brand) are buy one, get one free???"
I ponder possible responses. Among them, "yes, but I don't care, that brand sucks" or the ever-popular "excuse me, do I *KNOW* you?" (accompanied by a withering glare).
Instead, I just shake my head and walk away.
I'm sure the lady was thinking, "Wow, what a bitch," but ya know...? If I want your advice I'll ask for it, mmm'kay?
And then later I am going to the checkout...
I walk down the aisle in front of all the registers, quickly assessing the open lines (how many people in each line, how full the carts, etc.) then choose a line and get in it.
Pushy Checkout Traffic Controller: (approaches me) "The line in Lane 18 is shorter." (note: I am in Lane 19)
Me: "Umm, I can see the line in Lane 18 from here, thanks. I'll stay where I am."
PCTC: (persistently) "They're opening Lane 23 now."
Me: (slowly and meaningfully) "Go. Away."
About an hour later at another supermarket..
PCTC #2: "Why don't you come over to Lane #5?"
(I hadn't selected a register yet so I head toward Lane #5)
(As I am almost to the lane, she stands in front of me, physically blocking my cart.)
PCTC #2: "Actually you can go right to the Express Lane, which is #1..."
Me: (struggling to keep my voice calm and even) "You directed me to Lane #5. I am now in front of Lane #5. I am NOT going to turn around now and go to Lane #1. Please move out of my way."
Honestly, is it a requirement for these people to have IQ's less than 70 to hold this "job?" And while I'm at it, why does this "job" even exist?
2. I don't watch a lot of daytime TV, but I happen to have it on today as background noise while I am performing various household chores. And I would just like to say, damn-- I never realized exactly how many of these "judge" shows are on now. Judge Wapner started the whole thing with The People's Court back in the 80's. And then there was Judge Judy and Divorce Court and now about 50 more of them.
The one thing they have in common is that 90+% of the people-- plaintiffs and defendants-- appear to be complete morons. I believe that any one of them would easily qualify for a job as a Checkout Traffic Controller. I finally had to turn off "Judge Alex" because Teh St00pid was hurting me soooo baaaad.