So, this Friday, off I went to Sainsbury's. The cashier at the check-out asked me if I would like help with packing and, as I said I would, began to pack my bags. Half way through, she lost interest (as they often do) and by the time the last few items had been scanned, I was on my own.
Thus it was that the total was announced and I was left to juggle my credit card payment and finish packing simultaneously. Card, retrieved, I moved to the end of the checkout and finished sorting out last lot of shopping, replacing credit card in purse and folding up receipt, whilst also moving trolley out of the way (so I thought) of next shopper. This (foreign) 'gentleman', however, was unimpressed by my efforts to get out of his way and, after glaring at me, suddenly used his trolley to ram mine out of his way.
"If you could just give me a minute..." I said.
"I've given you five minutes," was the reply. "You could see we were waiting."
"Rubbish!" I replied (Deputy Head mode asserting itself automatically.)
"You are rubbish," came the ripost.
"No," I replied, thoroughly nettled by this time, "Actually, you are rubbish!"
By this time, heads were turning and I was almost out through the door, to do battle with the endless queues snaking out of the carpark, hooting at each other in exasperation.
Christmas spirit comes early round these parts.
9 comments:
You should have kicked him in the shins.
Pity I didn't think of that, Lucid. :)
Ah your report of such pithy banter has made me homesick for UK supermarket shopping.
Here such incidents are quickly settled with a blade in the ribcage or a .44 in the head if the incident spills over into the car park.
Actually I never have to bag my own purchases here as someone's grandad always seems to be on hand to do it for me - a sort of Supermarket Herbert if you like.
(little Family Guy humour there)
Ian
Maybe he's lucky I didn't happen to be carrying a knife then, Ian! :)
I just detest food shopping....the lack of help at the sharp end of the conveyor and the consequent 'juggling' usually results in my leaving a number of items behind....lost forever in the pile of bags and rush!
I would love not to have to do it, Gemmak.
I never thought you would indulge in racist behaviour. That poor foreign gentleman. How must he feel about the rudeness he encounters in British supermarkets?
P.S. Tongue firmly in cheek.
Frankly, I quite enjoy grocery shopping. I like cooking it and I especially enjoy eating. And yes, Mimico has its fair share of impatient and offensive foreigners. Poles, mostly. And Russians.
"Vee are vaiting werry longue time."
Honestly ...!
It's when they say "Are you all right packing?" with that sing-song lilt because they say it every five minutes. I hate it.
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