I don't think I'll ever get used to it. I put all of my purchases on the counter. The cashier rings them up. Then there's a pause. I'm waiting. The cashier is staring. I stare back dumbfounded. The cashier is smiling. I smile back.
Has the next step been forgotten? Has the cashier fallen asleep standing up? Am I in some weird Twilight Zone time warp? Has the world stopped spinning? Am I on Candid Camera? Am I being punked?
"Ma'am, do you need a bag?"
HUH? Duh? Of COURSE I need a bag! Do you SEE all of this stuff you just rang up? Am I supposed to carry it out of here in my skirt? Can I borrow a cart? (I say all of that in my head of course. Mommy always said, "Be polite" and it kinda stuck.) Is the cashier REALLY asking me if I need a bag?
Oh. My bad.
I live in DC. Bags cost 5 cents. I will probably need more than one. There are never any large bags that will preclude me from looking like I need a hand.
"Uh, yes. Yes. I need bags. Thank you. I totally forgot where I lived. All of that shopping in Maryland and Virginia where a bag just goes along with the shopping experience has me spoiled."
That Potomac and Chesapeake Bay had better start looking like the Caribbean very soon.
Has the next step been forgotten? Has the cashier fallen asleep standing up? Am I in some weird Twilight Zone time warp? Has the world stopped spinning? Am I on Candid Camera? Am I being punked?
"Ma'am, do you need a bag?"
HUH? Duh? Of COURSE I need a bag! Do you SEE all of this stuff you just rang up? Am I supposed to carry it out of here in my skirt? Can I borrow a cart? (I say all of that in my head of course. Mommy always said, "Be polite" and it kinda stuck.) Is the cashier REALLY asking me if I need a bag?
Oh. My bad.
I live in DC. Bags cost 5 cents. I will probably need more than one. There are never any large bags that will preclude me from looking like I need a hand.
"Uh, yes. Yes. I need bags. Thank you. I totally forgot where I lived. All of that shopping in Maryland and Virginia where a bag just goes along with the shopping experience has me spoiled."
That Potomac and Chesapeake Bay had better start looking like the Caribbean very soon.
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