This
afternoon I left my home in order to run a few errands. I planned a route that in my mind was the
most efficient… and was making note of my brilliance as I pulled into stop #1 –
the recycling kiosk. Just as I got out
of my car, the young man in the kiosk, yelled “Sir, I’m going on my 30 minute
break after I assist this person.” First
of all, it’s 95 degrees… and I’m menopausal… Just opening my car door started “Niagra
Falls”… and Niagra Falls is accompanied by a rather snarky temper! Second, are you kidding me? The last time I came to this particular
recycling center, the young man in-charge told me the same thing – he couldn’t
help me because he was going on his lunch break! What are the chances?... and third, “Sir?!”…
Now, if I were of the masculine persuasion, I just
might have used this opportunity to jump out of my monster truck with the
oversized wheels… rip off my shirt… flex my enormous biceps… and smack the guy…
Instead, I gave my best “Are you kidding me?” look… accentuated by a visible
heaving huff… and climbed back into my 1999 Honda Accord! And as I drove away… I threw a mental tantrum…vowing
in some way to get even… by taking my business elsewhere (like he cared!)… all
the while making my case with the part of me which was rolling its eyes at my
ridiculousness.
Anyway, I
drove down the road to another recycling center. As I got out of my car, the man said, “I’m
going on my lunch break. I’ll be back in
30 minutes.” To which I replied, (I had
made the mistake of getting out of my car… heat… menopause… snarky temper!) “Really?! The guy down the road told me the same thing!”
and I got back in my car, obviously displeased.
I felt like a “donkey” when the (really nice) man came over and gave me
directions to another center. When I asked
why I should go there, since the operator at the next site would most likely be
on his lunch break as well (Obviously, Temperamental Tina was still my
spokesperson), he told me that the operator at the next stop had already taken
his break.”
So… off I
went. By this time, I was still feeling
a little snarky, however, the more mature part of me was gaining a little
ground. After all, I am a former union
representative as well as an understanding human being… I know how important the 30 minute break is to people. When I reached the location of the 3rd
site… there was no center to be found. I
circled the area for several minutes before heading to my partner’s office to
drop something off. I shared my experiences
and she shared the location of a 4th site which I could try. (By the way, the “sainthood” for which I was
going to nominate the nice man at stop #2 was promptly pulled.)
As I drove
into the parking lot of site #4, I noticed it was definitely not open. The sign said, “Closed on Mondays”. Of
course. I thought I might be able to
use the automated redemption “thingy” but it wouldn’t take crunched up
bottles. (My partner has been pushing
everyone in the house to crunch up their bottles to save room. Of
course.)
So… It had
now been over an hour (so much for my brilliant plan of efficiency) and I’m
headed back to site #1. (I was sure the
young man operating the center was not only back from his lunch break but well
warmed up with the other customers he has helped since I squealed my 1999 Honda
out of the parking lot!) I finally
decided it was time to make the best of it… so I basked in the sun…whistling “Every
day’s a Holiday” (from Mary Poppins)… while waiting for the 2 customers ahead
of me to turn in their bottles. As I
moved closer to the kiosk, I noticed the sign clearly stating the employee’s
lunch break and made a mental note. (I
hate it when I have to eat “recycled crow”.)
The young man obviously didn’t remember the “Sir” he turned away… and
was very polite and helpful. In the end,
we exchanged a smile… and I got my $11.
As I drove away I thought… "I can see the humor in this"… and that
deserves an ice cream cone.
Much love,
Karrie
Great humorous tale on a real snarky afternoon. Love it.
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