The Brief Restoration of Val's Faith in Humanity Has Been Revoked

What is wrong with people? Is the end of civilization on the horizon? Just when I thought kindness was enjoying a resurgence, chaos reared its entitled head again.

Thursday is my errand day. I put gas in T-Hoe, go to the bank, do a little shopping, and get my usual scratchers. Usually without incident.

At the Sis-Town Casey's, I went inside to pre-pay for T-Hoe's gas. Two teenagers were completing their soda purchase. A 20-something woman was swaying back and forth while giving them a wide berth in line. Then I was next. The teens finished and stepped aside, talking loudly as teens do. I have no issue with them. Swayer stepped up to pay, using a card. Two people got in line behind me. The cashier stepped over to the other register, and said she could help me. 

A random 40-something gal walked across in front of me. She started to put her stuff on the counter of that second register, then looked back and saw my face. I'm pretty sure it showed displeasure.

"Oh. I just want somewhere to set this down." 40s Gal put four mini bottles of liquor on the counter, then scooted aside. 

I stepped up to make my transaction. You wouldn't think four mini bottles of liquor would be too awkward or heavy to hold in line, would you? They're airline size bottles. Not magnums of champagne. Did 40s Gal think she was going to jump line? It was probably more than just my expression that swayed her. Most likely the mob forming behind me.

At the bank, the teller at not-my window was trying to make small talk with a bald guy who got out of a black dually pickup truck. I guess he was depositing cash. "Oh! How did you know I needed some fifties?" The guy was having none of it. He grumpily replied, "I didn't." Just go along with it, buddy. No need to be a horse's rumpus. No matter how she cheerily tried to engage him, he was a grouch.

At the grocery store, the guy ahead of me only had a gallon of milk. He was paying with a card. It cost four dollars and change. As he was tapping in his info, he hatefully declared, "NO! I DON'T want cash back!" The young cashier was befuddled. "Um. Okay..." he said. When that guy left, he turned to me and asked how I was doing. Then he said, "That guy was something."

"Yeah. Maybe something happened. Maybe he was having a bad day."

"I guess. How do you respond to that? 'I'm sorry?' I can't help what the card scanner shows everybody!"

After I left the Gas Station Chicken Store, I was sitting at the stoplight, waiting to go straight across to the pharmacy. Two cars in cross traffic ran the red light. And they were behind a county sheriff's vehicle that just made a left turn. I guess they were feeling safe that it wouldn't see them and turn around for pursuit. A guy across the intersection from me also ran the red light. I know, because I had the green arrow when he nosed his pickup pulling a long trailer holding a backhoe into the intersection while I had a green arrow.

I guess we have entered an era that might just as well be called Do As You Please. Few people exhibit common courtesy these days. Or follow the laws of the road.

Maybe I'm just cranky, because at the store I had a cart with a bad wheel AND a sticky handle.