Never a dull moment in the Gas Station Chicken Store. While waiting in line Tuesday, the reason for my wait exhibited questionable hygienic behavior.
I was perturbed at first because she was WRITING A CHECK for lottery. Both scratchers and draw tickets. Her total came to $20. Not that it's a lot, but I wish people would just fork over the cash and be done with it! It's bad enough when they use their debit cards (credit cards are not allowed for lottery purchases). But a CHECK! Even slower.
She didn't start writing until it was all rung up, of course. Pulled out her checkbook and thumbed through for the right place. Didn't have a pen. So she used the one on the counter. The pen with a white plastic spoon taped to the other end, for scratching off the bar code on tickets submitted by amateurs!
Anyhoo... as I watched, ready for her to be done so I could move up in line, that old gal LICKED HER FINGER to tear out the check! That's right. LICKED HER FINGER after using the community pen, then tore out her check, picked up the pen again to write the amount in her checkbook register, then PUT THE PEN BACK IN THE HOLDER.
And... the cashier is the little gal who always wears a mask.
That place is just a little Petri dish and we're all Gas Station Chicken future sicks.
Some things should just be paid for in cash, and the cash should be in hand ready to pay as the item is being rung up. Not to be sexist, but it seems that mostly women wait to be asked to pay and only then will they open their pocket book and start to dig for the cash...ok that was sexist...but true...is it sexist if it is true?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your cash assessment. Lottery, candy bars, soda... all should be cash, and quick. I also agree that women are the ones digging out a checkbook at the last minute.
DeleteHowever, there are men who only reach for a wallet at the last minute, and shuffle through cards before deciding on which one to use. You'd think that would be quicker than writing a check, but not at the Gas Station Chicken Store, where the card-reader is on a cord and shoved under the plexiglass divider, and has to be explained step by step because it's so ancient.
I don't care if you're sexist. I don't see sex! I only see people who piss me off! It's about time people were allowed to have opinions again, even if they're unpopular. Otherwise I would have described the finger-licker as a "line-waiting person." WAIT! That had "son" in it. So I guess it (the safest pronoun) was a "line-waiting individual."
I agree that people should have the cash handy! They should know the cost of what they are buying and have the exact amount ready to go. No impulse buys allowed, that messes up the system for all those waiting in line behind you. Of course that defeats the purpose of that kind of store with all those "impulse" purchases stacked around the counters.
ReplyDeleteJust having cash in hand would be a plus. Maybe a five or a ten, knowing that they're buying snacks. Change doesn't take long to hand back. Unless they're buying cigarettes. Then maybe they need their card. Or to take out a loan.
DeleteBack in the day, when checks were common, I always had mine filled out except the amount. You know the date and where you are and that you plan to write a check, so get on with it!! But, like you, I would have used cash and would have had it ready. Backing up a line is just rude!
ReplyDeleteThere are some places where you want a check for your records. Like the DMV to pay tax and license on a new car, or get your plates renewed. So yes, have it filled out except the parts you don't know yet. But a convenience store for snacks and lottery is NOT that place!
DeleteYuck is all I can say.
ReplyDeleteThe next day, I walked in as the cashier was spraying her counter with Windex or something blue. I told her that tale, and cautioned her about using the community pen. Her eyes were round as saucers. I know she was going to spray that pen as soon as I left!
DeleteI told her: "That lady might as well have licked the door handle!" And added, "Heh, heh, she is probably healthier than US!"