Yes, Val is fuming. Fuming like an exterminator roaming through the classrooms of Steelville Middle School, circa late 80s, wearing a tank and wielding a wand made of metal, spewing chemicals probably not meant for inhalation by young teens.
Here's the deal. I was in the School-Turn Casey's, waiting in line behind one customer, an old man who had just paid, and was taking up the counter while putting away his debit card. I was next. The cashier decided to use that moment to fiddle with the OTHER register. It looked like she was making a money drop. She inserted some bills into something I couldn't see, which made a whirring sound.
"I'll be with you folks in a minute."
Not a problem. I was next. An old man had come up behind me from the left. He was holding a soft-serve ice cream cone. I was holding a winning scratcher worth $75. While the original customer was slowly combing through his wallet to fit his debit card in the right spot, the Old Man behind me stepped up to the unopened register where Cashier was still fiddling.
"I'm just going to give you this money so I can eat my ice cream before it melts." He handed Cashier a handful of change and walked out the door. She nodded.
WHAT IN THE ABSOLUTE FREAKIN' NOT-HEAVEN???
That is line-jumping! Or did I miss a new law that decrees ice cream cannot be eaten while standing in line waiting to pay for it. That it can only be eaten outside the store after paying.
But wait! That's not all. As the original customer took his time stuffing his wallet into a back pocket, and organizing his purchase to pick up, a young woman carrying a large orange soda got in line behind me from the right. She had a toddler on her hip, and three other urchins under five orbiting her.
"I just have my cup. They all wanted one, but I can't afford four." She hoisted the full cup in the air, and walked out! Cashier nodded.
WHAT IN THE ABSOLUTE FREAKIN' NOT-HEAVEN???
That is line-jumping. AND stealing! Did I miss a new law that if all you have is a large soda and a lot of kids, you can leave the store without paying? Getting your soda for free?
Then a lady and young boy came up from the right. I swear, I thought she was going to barge ahead of me, too. But Cashier said, "I can help you now." You're darn tootin' you can help me now! You already took two people ahead of me, while I was abiding the unwritten rules of society!
That's how it works, you know. Most children even understand. You get behind the people who were there first, and wait until it's your turn. There's no "I JUST HAVE..." about it. First come, first served. Sometimes you get behind somebody buying a single item, sometimes you get behind somebody with three shopping carts. That's the breaks.
I didn't advise that man to buy a soft-serve ice cream cone when it's 98 degrees outside. Nor did I pour the mix that made it extra melty into the machine.
I didn't go to that gal's house (or car backseat) and force her to procreate so rapidly in succession.
JUST because you want to eat your ice cream outside alone, or have to tow around four kids everywhere you go, doesn't mean that you get to skip the line to pay! Or steal!
Oh that is annoying! Grrr.
ReplyDeleteI hope it goes on their permanent record!
DeleteI get it, first come frst served, but leaving the money for the ice cream so he can eat it before it melts is also acceptable, with the cashier nodding it's okay. I have had people do that and as long as it is only one item and the correct change, it isn't a problem, I set that money aside and ring it up when there are no customers waiting. Also cashing in your scratchers would take a bit of time, so there would be more melting going on and while I am not exactly excusing it, the man had no idea the cashier was going to be fiddling with the other machine when he got the ice cream. The lady who didn't pay for her drink is wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe cashier didn't nod until that guy was halfway to the door. He just dumped the change and walked off. That is wrong. You don't get special rules depending on what you buy. There's no sign saying anybody with scratchers has to wait until everybody else has been served.
DeleteIf a van load of highway workers came in for ice cream, should all of them get to go ahead of anybody else waiting? What about customers in an ice cream shop? Can they all toss money on the counter and walk out? If not, which one gets to cut line? Vanilla? Chocolate? Tutti Frutti?
This guy was "just" wanting special treatment, all because he bought (by line-jumping) himself a snack. Nobody was stopping him from eating it there in line. HE made the choice to buy ice cream in a convenience store. That more often than not involves a line to pay. Usually with customers buying scratchers or draw tickets.
A van load would not be allowed, and a group in an icecream shop have to wait their turn to get icecream in the first place so there wouldn't be anyone waiting with ice cream dripping. And you are right, he could have eaten it while waiting and then paid when it was his turn. I only have supermarket experience to go by, never worked in a convenience store.
DeleteVan loads are absolutely allowed. I've been behind them each buying chips and a soda, using their debit cards, which take forever. Or maybe you mean not allowed to walk out with ice cream after tossing a handful of change. Which still makes me believe that old man did not deserve special treatment for his treat.
DeleteI've worked in a junk store and a convenience store. I sure would not risk an uprising from line-waiters by allowing someone to jump line. People are good about letting those who NEED special treatment go ahead of them.