If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
lost control of her kid when he was very young.

There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
was translating for the older one, and as it turned
out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
translate, because the older woman didn't speak
any English at all.

As I stood there and learned more of the story,
it appeared the older woman was trying to return
a watch battery. She had the original packaging
for the battery, and the watch that the battery
was put into, but the problem was that the battery
was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
to give a refund without getting the battery back.

Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
and can of olives while the women were making their
case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
with her dilemma.

Mark Thorson wrote:

> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>
> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> any English at all.
>
> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> to give a refund without getting the battery back.

Stores are usually reluctant to give refunds on
batteries...... period. How are they to know that is the
battery they sold her and not the old one that she was
replacing?

Dave Smith > wrote:
> Mark Thorson wrote:
>
> > As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> > it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> > a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> > for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> > was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> > was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> > battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> > to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>
> Stores are usually reluctant to give refunds on
> batteries...... period. How are they to know that is the
> battery they sold her and not the old one that she was
> replacing?

Even if it was the new battery, *someone* knew how to get it into the watch.
They should certainly have been able to get it out again.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:

> Dave Smith > wrote:
> > Mark Thorson wrote:
> >
> > > As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> > > it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> > > a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> > > for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> > > was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> > > was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> > > battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> > > to give a refund without getting the battery back.
> >
> > Stores are usually reluctant to give refunds on
> > batteries...... period. How are they to know that is the
> > battery they sold her and not the old one that she was
> > replacing?
>
> Even if it was the new battery, *someone* knew how to get it into the watch.
> They should certainly have been able to get it out again.

Someone might, but perhaps not a cashier. Some watches are not easy to open.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>
> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> any English at all.
>
> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>
> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> and can of olives while the women were making their
> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
> with her dilemma.

Go here and click on "maninline'

http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv

Or google "maninline video".

:-)

One of the best I have seen.


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

"Dimitri" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
>> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
>> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
>> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
>> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>>
>> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
>> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
>> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
>> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
>> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
>> any English at all.
>>
>> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
>> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
>> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
>> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
>> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
>> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
>> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
>> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>>
>> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
>> and can of olives while the women were making their
>> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
>> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
>> with her dilemma.
>
> Go here and click on "maninline'
>
> http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
>
> Or google "maninline video".
>
> :-)
>
> One of the best I have seen.
>
>
> --
> Old Scoundrel
>
> (AKA Dimitri)
>
Good one!....Mandy Patinkin right?

"biig" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dimitri" > wrote in message
> ...

<snip>


>> Go here and click on "maninline'
>>
>> http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
>>
>> Or google "maninline video".
>>
>> :-)
>>
>> One of the best I have seen.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Old Scoundrel
>>
>> (AKA Dimitri)
>>
> Good one!....Mandy Patinkin right?

I am about as sure it's him as you are. 99.99%


--
Old Scoundrel

(AKA Dimitri)

Dimitri wrote:
>
> "biig" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Dimitri" > wrote in message
>> ...
>
> <snip>
>
>
>>> Go here and click on "maninline'
>>>
>>> http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
>>>
>>> Or google "maninline video".
>>>
>>> :-)
>>>
>>> One of the best I have seen.
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Old Scoundrel
>>>
>>> (AKA Dimitri)
>>>
>> Good one!....Mandy Patinkin right?
>
> I am about as sure it's him as you are. 99.99%
>
>
Oh, absolutely it's Mandel...
And a great delivery!

Dave Bell > wrote:
> Dimitri wrote:
> >
> > "biig" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > >
> > > "Dimitri" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> >
> > > > Go here and click on "maninline'
> > > >
> > > > http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
> > > >
> > > > Or google "maninline video".
> > > >
> > > > :-)
> > > >
> > > > One of the best I have seen.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Old Scoundrel
> > > >
> > > > (AKA Dimitri)
> > > >
> > > Good one!....Mandy Patinkin right?
> >
> > I am about as sure it's him as you are. 99.99%
> >
> >
> Oh, absolutely it's Mandel...
> And a great delivery!

Mandy isn't Howie, and that's Mandy, for sure Great video clip, thanks
Dimitri!

Jill

In article >,
"Dimitri" > wrote:

> >>
> > Good one!....Mandy Patinkin right?
>
> I am about as sure it's him as you are. 99.99%


100%.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
rec.food.cooking
Preserved Fruit Administrator
"Always in a jam. Never in a stew." - Evergene

Dimitri > wrote in message
...
[snip]
> Go here and click on "maninline'
>
> http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
>

I _wish_ people would step up like that! It's a nice snippet,
though. Thanks.

The Ranger

"The Ranger" > wrote in message
...
> Dimitri > wrote in message
> ...
> [snip]
>> Go here and click on "maninline'
>>
>> http://bargswan.multiply.com/video/i.../maninline.wmv
>>
>
> I _wish_ people would step up like that! It's a nice snippet, though.
> Thanks.
>
You would.

Michael "Dog3" wrote:
> "The Ranger" > news:14CdnQW9artuJ-XVnZ2dnUVZ_g-

> OMFG... I love it. BUT I feel for the kids in the car.Sheesh...

"It's shameful..."

Dave Bell wrote:
> Michael "Dog3" wrote:

>> OMFG... I love it. BUT I feel for the kids in the car.Sheesh...
>
> "It's shameful..."

Times have changed, us kids would have to wait in the
car all the time. Lock the doors! Funny.

nancy

On Jul 10, 1:39*pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> in a checkout line, it's close. *Maybe it ties with
> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>
> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> elderly one and a middle-aged one. *The younger one
> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> out, she didn't know her. *She just volunteered to
> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> any English at all.
>
> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> a watch battery. *She had the original packaging
> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> was inside the watch. *Nobody knew how to get the
> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>
> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> and can of olives while the women were making their
> case for a refund. *I don't know how it was resolved,
> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
> with her dilemma.

The counter people who sell batteries for watches will not remove or
replace the battery unless you sign a waiver saying they're not
responsible for damage if they open up the watch. If they even offer
that.

Karen

"Karen" > wrote in message
...
On Jul 10, 1:39 pm, Mark Thorson > wrote:
> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>
> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> any English at all.
>
> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>
> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> and can of olives while the women were making their
> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
> with her dilemma.

The counter people who sell batteries for watches will not remove or
replace the battery unless you sign a waiver saying they're not
responsible for damage if they open up the watch. If they even offer
that.

Karen

------------------------------------------------------

One clerk destroyed my watch by squeezing the sides where the buttons were
so hard that he broke the springs in the buttons. I had no recourse and
would have had to pay to have the springs replaced, and I didn't know of any
other repair shops, so I threw the watch out on a matter of principle.

"Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
...
> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>
> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> any English at all.
>
> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>
> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> and can of olives while the women were making their
> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
> with her dilemma.

Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I have
seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with endless
demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the only attention
they ever get in their lives.

Then I see this too often in my college town store - in front of me was a
baby faced boy, must have been 16 tops. Doesn't even shave yet you can
tell. His skinny little girlfriend is with him, also not more than 16, at
best maybe 17. They are buying 3 bottles of margarita mix and a huge bottle
of tequila. So the supervisor is the checkout clerk, asks the girl for an
ID. I can clearly see the face on the picture. It is of a heavy set blond
girl yet this chick is short and small and has jet black hair. You can see
the supervisor mentally deduct the year from 2008 and then goes "OK"
probably without looking at the photo. I wanted to ask that woman if she
would feel guilty of say those two kids died of alcohol poisoning or worse
if they actually drove a car. Instead I wrote a letter to the company.

Paul

"Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> ...
>> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
>> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
>> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
>> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
>> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>>
>> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
>> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
>> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
>> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
>> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
>> any English at all.
>>
>> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
>> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
>> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
>> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
>> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
>> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
>> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
>> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>>
>> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
>> and can of olives while the women were making their
>> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
>> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
>> with her dilemma.
>
> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I have
> seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with endless
> demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the only
> attention they ever get in their lives.

It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a fuss" is
"just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied to the
behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is self-centredness on
the part of the person *speaking*, not the person "looking for attention;
because the person speaking only sees the way someone else is affecting him,
which is to inconvenience him, and gives no thought to what the other
person's situation or perspective might be. I find if you bother to take the
slightest interest in people, their behaviour often makes sense.

"The UnInmate" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
>>> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
>>> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
>>> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
>>> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>>>
>>> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
>>> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
>>> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
>>> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
>>> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
>>> any English at all.
>>>
>>> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
>>> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
>>> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
>>> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
>>> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
>>> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
>>> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
>>> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>>>
>>> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
>>> and can of olives while the women were making their
>>> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
>>> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
>>> with her dilemma.
>>
>> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I
>> have seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with
>> endless demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the
>> only attention they ever get in their lives.
>
> It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a fuss"
> is "just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied to the
> behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is self-centredness on
> the part of the person *speaking*, not the person "looking for attention;
> because the person speaking only sees the way someone else is affecting
> him, which is to inconvenience him, and gives no thought to what the other
> person's situation or perspective might be. I find if you bother to take
> the slightest interest in people, their behaviour often makes sense.

So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
inappropriate?

Paul

>

"Paul M. Cook" > wrote

> So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
> inappropriate?
>

Why are you in such a hurry anyway?

"Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
...
>
> "The UnInmate" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
>>>> in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
>>>> the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
>>>> ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
>>>> lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>>>>
>>>> There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
>>>> elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
>>>> was translating for the older one, and as it turned
>>>> out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
>>>> translate, because the older woman didn't speak
>>>> any English at all.
>>>>
>>>> As I stood there and learned more of the story,
>>>> it appeared the older woman was trying to return
>>>> a watch battery. She had the original packaging
>>>> for the battery, and the watch that the battery
>>>> was put into, but the problem was that the battery
>>>> was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
>>>> battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
>>>> to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>>>>
>>>> Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
>>>> and can of olives while the women were making their
>>>> case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
>>>> but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
>>>> with her dilemma.
>>>
>>> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I
>>> have seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with
>>> endless demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the
>>> only attention they ever get in their lives.
>>
>> It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a fuss"
>> is "just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied to the
>> behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is self-centredness on
>> the part of the person *speaking*, not the person "looking for attention;
>> because the person speaking only sees the way someone else is affecting
>> him, which is to inconvenience him, and gives no thought to what the
>> other person's situation or perspective might be. I find if you bother to
>> take the slightest interest in people, their behaviour often makes sense.
>
> So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
> inappropriate?
>
> Paul

Desires are never inappropriate. Only actions can be. But I was narrowly
commenting on the suggestion that they're just looking for attention. It was
and still is silly.

"Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
> "The UnInmate" > wrote in message

>> It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a fuss"
>> is "just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied to the
>> behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is self-centredness on
>> the part of the person *speaking*, not the person "looking for attention;
>> because the person speaking only sees the way someone else is affecting
>> him, which is to inconvenience him, and gives no thought to what the
>> other person's situation or perspective might be. I find if you bother to
>> take the slightest interest in people, their behaviour often makes sense.
>
> So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
> inappropriate?
>
> Paul
>

No, he is saying you should take some interest in that person first to see
if their behavior makes sense. Then choke the shit out of them.

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
>> "The UnInmate" > wrote in message
>
>>> It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a
>>> fuss" is "just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied
>>> to the behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is
>>> self-centredness on the part of the person *speaking*, not the person
>>> "looking for attention; because the person speaking only sees the way
>>> someone else is affecting him, which is to inconvenience him, and gives
>>> no thought to what the other person's situation or perspective might be.
>>> I find if you bother to take the slightest interest in people, their
>>> behaviour often makes sense.
>>
>> So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
>> inappropriate?
>>
>> Paul
>>
>
> No, he is saying you should take some interest in that person first to see
> if their behavior makes sense. Then choke the shit out of them.
ahahaha!

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote >
> No, he is saying you should take some interest in that person first to see
> if their behavior makes sense. Then choke the shit out of them.

The other thing is, be kind to old folks on the off chance that you might
luck out and get to be one one day. That shit comes back around to you.

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Paul M. Cook" > wrote in message
>> "The UnInmate" > wrote in message
>
>>> It's childish to jump to the conclusion that anyone who "kicks up a
>>> fuss" is "just looking for attention." It's simplistic even when applied
>>> to the behaviour of most children. What it's motivated by is
>>> self-centredness on the part of the person *speaking*, not the person
>>> "looking for attention; because the person speaking only sees the way
>>> someone else is affecting him, which is to inconvenience him, and gives
>>> no thought to what the other person's situation or perspective might be.
>>> I find if you bother to take the slightest interest in people, their
>>> behaviour often makes sense.
>>
>> So you're saying my desire to choke the living shit out of them is
>> inappropriate?
>>
>> Paul
>>
>
> No, he is saying you should take some interest in that person first to see
> if their behavior makes sense. Then choke the shit out of them.

Ahhh, OK. I can try that.

Paul

In article >,
says...
>
> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> > in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> > the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> > ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> > lost control of her kid when he was very young.
> >
> > There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> > elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> > was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> > out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> > translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> > any English at all.
> >
> > As I stood there and learned more of the story,
> > it appeared the older woman was trying to return
> > a watch battery. She had the original packaging
> > for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> > was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> > was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> > battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> > to give a refund without getting the battery back.
> >
> > Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> > and can of olives while the women were making their
> > case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved,
> > but I did give the poor clerk a smile in sympathy
> > with her dilemma.
>
> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I have
> seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with endless
> demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the only attention
> they ever get in their lives.
>
> Then I see this too often in my college town store - in front of me was a
> baby faced boy, must have been 16 tops. Doesn't even shave yet you can
> tell. His skinny little girlfriend is with him, also not more than 16, at
> best maybe 17. They are buying 3 bottles of margarita mix and a huge bottle
> of tequila. So the supervisor is the checkout clerk, asks the girl for an
> ID. I can clearly see the face on the picture. It is of a heavy set blond
> girl yet this chick is short and small and has jet black hair. You can see
> the supervisor mentally deduct the year from 2008 and then goes "OK"
> probably without looking at the photo. I wanted to ask that woman if she
> would feel guilty of say those two kids died of alcohol poisoning or worse
> if they actually drove a car. Instead I wrote a letter to the company.
>
> Paul

I had one experience standing in the express line that was absolutely
priceless.

I get to the register and it has the 15 items or less sign lit up. This
woman is in front of me with a cart full and she's unloading it onto the
conveyer.

Without a word the cashier comes out from behind the register and
proceeeds to take the items off the conveyer and puts them back into the
womans cart. The cashier then took the cart and told the woman that she
could go to any register without the 15 item sign lit.

It was priceless. The look on the womans face indicated she was both
highly offended and embarrased.

I gave the cashier a nice smile and said thanks for doing that.

On Sun 13 Jul 2008 12:56:14p, T told us...

> In article >,
> says...
>>
>> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
>> > in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
>> > the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
>> > ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
>> > lost control of her kid when he was very young.
>> >
>> > There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
>> > elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
>> > was translating for the older one, and as it turned
>> > out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
>> > translate, because the older woman didn't speak
>> > any English at all.
>> >
>> > As I stood there and learned more of the story, it appeared the older
>> > woman was trying to return a watch battery. She had the original
>> > packaging for the battery, and the watch that the battery
>> > was put into, but the problem was that the battery
>> > was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
>> > battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
>> > to give a refund without getting the battery back.
>> >
>> > Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
>> > and can of olives while the women were making their
>> > case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved, but I did give
>> > the poor clerk a smile in sympathy with her dilemma.
>>
>> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I
>> have seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with
>> endless demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the
>> only attention they ever get in their lives.
>>
>> Then I see this too often in my college town store - in front of me was
>> a baby faced boy, must have been 16 tops. Doesn't even shave yet you
>> can tell. His skinny little girlfriend is with him, also not more than
>> 16, at best maybe 17. They are buying 3 bottles of margarita mix and a
>> huge bottle of tequila. So the supervisor is the checkout clerk, asks
>> the girl for an ID. I can clearly see the face on the picture. It is
>> of a heavy set blond girl yet this chick is short and small and has jet
>> black hair. You can see the supervisor mentally deduct the year from
>> 2008 and then goes "OK" probably without looking at the photo. I
>> wanted to ask that woman if she would feel guilty of say those two kids
>> died of alcohol poisoning or worse if they actually drove a car.
>> Instead I wrote a letter to the company.
>>
>> Paul
>
> I had one experience standing in the express line that was absolutely
> priceless.
>
> I get to the register and it has the 15 items or less sign lit up. This
> woman is in front of me with a cart full and she's unloading it onto the
> conveyer.
>
> Without a word the cashier comes out from behind the register and
> proceeeds to take the items off the conveyer and puts them back into the
> womans cart. The cashier then took the cart and told the woman that she
> could go to any register without the 15 item sign lit.
>
> It was priceless. The look on the womans face indicated she was both
> highly offended and embarrased.
>
> I gave the cashier a nice smile and said thanks for doing that.
>
>

This should be standard practice. It just make the thoughtless assholes
wise up.

--
Wayne Boatwright
-------------------------------------------
Sunday, 07(VII)/13(XIII)/08(MMVIII)
-------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Literature is news that *stays* news.
--Ezra Pound
-------------------------------------------

In article 0>,
says...
> On Sun 13 Jul 2008 12:56:14p, T told us...
>
> > In article >,
> > says...
> >>
> >> "Mark Thorson" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > If this isn't the most absurd situation I've seen
> >> > in a checkout line, it's close. Maybe it ties with
> >> > the kid who threw the phoniest temper tantrum I've
> >> > ever seen in front of a doormat mother who obviously
> >> > lost control of her kid when he was very young.
> >> >
> >> > There were two Chinese women in front of me, an
> >> > elderly one and a middle-aged one. The younger one
> >> > was translating for the older one, and as it turned
> >> > out, she didn't know her. She just volunteered to
> >> > translate, because the older woman didn't speak
> >> > any English at all.
> >> >
> >> > As I stood there and learned more of the story, it appeared the older
> >> > woman was trying to return a watch battery. She had the original
> >> > packaging for the battery, and the watch that the battery
> >> > was put into, but the problem was that the battery
> >> > was inside the watch. Nobody knew how to get the
> >> > battery out of the watch, and the clerk didn't want
> >> > to give a refund without getting the battery back.
> >> >
> >> > Fortunately, the clerk rang up my bottle of beer
> >> > and can of olives while the women were making their
> >> > case for a refund. I don't know how it was resolved, but I did give
> >> > the poor clerk a smile in sympathy with her dilemma.
> >>
> >> Standing in checkout lines seems to be getting worse all the time. I
> >> have seen stuff like this where a person holds up a line forever with
> >> endless demands from the clerk. I wonder sometimes if this isn't the
> >> only attention they ever get in their lives.
> >>
> >> Then I see this too often in my college town store - in front of me was
> >> a baby faced boy, must have been 16 tops. Doesn't even shave yet you
> >> can tell. His skinny little girlfriend is with him, also not more than
> >> 16, at best maybe 17. They are buying 3 bottles of margarita mix and a
> >> huge bottle of tequila. So the supervisor is the checkout clerk, asks
> >> the girl for an ID. I can clearly see the face on the picture. It is
> >> of a heavy set blond girl yet this chick is short and small and has jet
> >> black hair. You can see the supervisor mentally deduct the year from
> >> 2008 and then goes "OK" probably without looking at the photo. I
> >> wanted to ask that woman if she would feel guilty of say those two kids
> >> died of alcohol poisoning or worse if they actually drove a car.
> >> Instead I wrote a letter to the company.
> >>
> >> Paul
> >
> > I had one experience standing in the express line that was absolutely
> > priceless.
> >
> > I get to the register and it has the 15 items or less sign lit up. This
> > woman is in front of me with a cart full and she's unloading it onto the
> > conveyer.
> >
> > Without a word the cashier comes out from behind the register and
> > proceeeds to take the items off the conveyer and puts them back into the
> > womans cart. The cashier then took the cart and told the woman that she
> > could go to any register without the 15 item sign lit.
> >
> > It was priceless. The look on the womans face indicated she was both
> > highly offended and embarrased.
> >
> > I gave the cashier a nice smile and said thanks for doing that.
> >
> >
>
> This should be standard practice. It just make the thoughtless assholes
> wise up.
>
>

I don't know about that. There are some fairly thickheaded people out
there who wouldn't see the lesson.