So I'm standing in line at my local grocery store. I have the typical single person's items (non-PMS related by the way) which included two boxes of Chex cereal - one rice and one wheat. I like to mix my cereals, what can I say? Plus I had my coupon for $1.00 of two boxes, and they were already on sale. Score!
I don't quite recall how the chatter started, which is true for about 95% of my conversations, but the guy behind me was definitely a crowder. You know the type. The crowder is the one who inches in and makes you feel like they are trying to put their stuff on the conveyor belt with yours and then pretend that they are actually your friend, standing too close. Then he says, "Can I take a look at this?" while picking up my box of Wheat Chex cereal. "Uh, sure," I mumbled, since he was already looking at it anyway. I am usually more talkative but he seemed icky and I was kind of wishing he wouldn't talk to me. He had a bottle of red wine and some other stuff...I guess the items of a more classy single person. He then goes on to explain to me that since his cholesterol levels...blah blah blah or something, he always checks the labels on the cereal box to see if sugar is listed within the first three ingredients. I mean, this is not NEW news dude. Still, he has to show me that of course sugar is one of the top three ingredients in my cereal. Duh. He should be behind me during a PMS-induced shopping trip. Then he went on and on about high fructose corn syrup and how he'd prefer to drink soda with regular sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup (insert the voices from Peanuts grownups here). I asked him, "So what cereals have you found to have sugar NOT listed in the top three - Kashi maybe?" He just started looking around and grunted, "I can't think of any right now." What the hell fella? If you're going to preach to me about my cereal ingredients, including crossing that line of picking up the box to read the ingredients, then you'd better know what you're talking about and be able to offer me some alternatives!!! Luckily the line had moved along and our quality time was coming to an end. I paid and then took my sugary Chex cereals and left without saying goodbye to Icky Guy.
It got me to thinking though. I have often chirped up in grocery lines to the people around me in line, making what I have always considered to be friendly, casually conversation. Sometimes it has paid off and friendly conversation ensued. My sister says I talk too much. However, I never pick up other people's belongings or lecture them on their purchases. What's most important to remember at those moments of engagement is to know your audience. You can get a real feel for people who are not feeling you. They may not be surly or unfriendly, but recognize their indifference at back off immediately. Other times checking out can turn into a real party fun fest! Stick your toe in the water first, then proceed as appropriate.
Maybe next time I'll address the inconsiderate asses who can't get off their cell phones for two minutes to check out and how eye-rolling at the cashier is totally appropriate!
