There is the nicest little old lady that’s the door greeter at Wal-Mart…and she drives me crazy…and then I feel quilty cause she drives me crazy. On the incoming she says hello and thanks me for shopping at Wal-Mart. I’m cool with that.
It’s the “out” message that’s the problem. I walk fast. I usually have places to go, things to do. Even if I don’t, I still walk fast. It’s just sorta the way I transport. I’m not a stroller. I’ve got to downshift heavy-duty to hit a stroll. I’ve cleared the security sensors, I’m heading for the double doors.
“Thank you for shopping at Wal-Mart. Have a nice day,” says the greeter who reminds me of my mother.
“Thank you. You too.”
“Come back to see us soon.”
“Er, okay.”
“Travel safe and enjoy your day.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll see you when you come back.”
STOP!! She had me at thanking me for shopping and wishing me a nice day. Can you see my quandry? I’ve either got to blow past her and cut her off in the plethora of well-wishing or I wind up stopping and damn near having a conversation on my way out. 
I want to pull her aside and beg her to just leave it at the thanks and bye. I feel terrible if I don’t hang around for the whole spiel but then it irritates me and I feel guilty over my irritation cause she’s so nice. See…too nice. And what kind of horrible person does that make me? 
I’ve taken to exiting through the other door…all the way at the other end of the Super Wal-Mart cause I just can’t take the inner turmoil anymore. 
Hey, she’s not lying when she says she walks fast in Wal-Mart. I won’t even go into the store with her because I know I can’t keep up.
Comment by Rhonda — September 21, 2007 @ 5:48 am
Bad Jen indeed. It’s okay, it’s just not your “bag”. At least she’s not asking to see your receipt as you leave, which is what I have to deal with occassionally in some of the Wal-marts here in the Birmingham area.
Now have a wonderful weekend.
Comment by Ginger — September 21, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Comment by Kathy — September 21, 2007 @ 8:30 am
The front desk security guy at my office is like that. Its impossible to get the last word. You walk in there door and there he is…
“How are we today Miss Laurence?”
“Good thanks.” (this is where my rude self keeps walking and doesn’t reciprocate)
“You have a good day now.”
“You too.” (this is where my rude self is forced to respond)
“See you later then.”
“Okee-dokee.” (now I’m halfway down the hall because I never stopped to begin with)
“All right now.”
He always, always gets the last word in. My obtuse co-worker once tried on several occasions to say the last thing and couldn’t do it. He’d always say something back.
Anyway, I take the backdoor now and hardly ever see him.
Comment by Andrea — September 21, 2007 @ 8:44 am
Unless it’s jewelry…or art…or shoes…then I stroll, don’t I, Rhonda?
LOL, Ginger, it irritates me when they ask for my receipt. Hope you have a terrific weekend!
Bad, Kathy, bad! I don’t want to give her a heart attack.
Yep, Andrea, you use the back door and I use the other entry.
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Comment by Be A Good Son — October 3, 2007 @ 5:51 am