Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Most Days, I'm Nice

So, this morning my friend called me and told me that Wally World had t-shirts with Bo's favorite cartoon character on it. I have been waiting for them to show up for a long time now. I had about an hour before I needed to be back for a babysitting gig. So I threw all the kids in the car and headed across town. I live exactly the same distance between the two Walmert's that this town has. I almost always go to one because, if you can believe it, it's considerably less ghetto. But, it was the ghetto one that had the t-shirts. So that's where we went.

Now, I'd like to be one of those conscientious boycotters that avoids Walmert for all it's---taking over the world and oppressing the man business and whatnot, but alas, our checkbook dictates where we shop. As well as the 3 kids raquet we've got going on. Where else can you buy Kung-fu Panda yogurt, Luvs, flip-flops, underwear and an anti-diarrheal in one fell swoop? I ask you!

Annnnnyway.

I left the house telling the kids every 40 seconds, "We have to be so fast, we have to hurry there and hurry back."

And so we were so fast. As fast as a slow-as-his-mom 5 year old, shoes-too-big 3-year-old and perfectly darling, contentedly plopped-in-the-cart 1 year old (!) can be.

I was cutting it close and beelined for the checkout after 5 unneccessary things and the t-shirt were placed in my cart.

At the checkout I turned my cart sideways so not to block the traffic going across the main aisle. I'm a considerate super mega-mart shopper. I just am.

In "parking" sideways, I was sort of hidden behind a display. Because I am petite and slight of frame. And I don't have 3 kids hanging off a cart, pushing it, bumping into things, and I'm not 2 heads taller than all displays. Everywhere. Bo and Avery had even thrown some of my stuff on the conveyer belt but I felt like it was a little too pushy to the person in front of us, so I told them to relax.

Doo-to-doo...we're just hanging out and suddenly my cart gets nosed back by another cart. She didn't just bump me or even go around and try to cut, she used the front of her cart to push my cart back. Into me. I automatically assume it's a total mistake, because in addition to being a considerate shopper, I make kind assumptions about perfect strangers.

I looked up because I had been thoroughly engaged in a conversation with Danyo about his slobber-wobber and what a cutie-pootie he is and other important things we like to discuss. Miss Cart-Pusher is looking RIGHT at me. I think I may have stared blankly (another thing I do well---I don't mean to brag so much...) and then she said, "Well? Are you in line!?"

I stuttered. No, I didn't even stutter. Stuttering implies more than one sound is made. I said, "Uhhhhhhhhh."

There was no possible reason I would be where I was, if I wasn't in line. Granted, I wasn't in the traditional position of all up in someone's cart grill---but I was all up on the conveyer belt's...conveyence.

Avee says, "Come ON Mom, we hap to hoe-ee! Baby Aidan is coming!"

I gathered my senses and said, "Yes, I'm in line." And I said it nicely. Even after being cart-ssaulted.

"Well, it doesn't look like you are in line." And tried to nose past me AGAIN. I stepped forward a few inches. There was no way I was going to let her get in front of me and have that box of SMILES fruit snacks and Ben 10 shirt I already spent 75cents in gas to come and get.

I had 6 items. She had a cart overflowing. I had 3 kids with me. She was alone. I am beautiful, she was homely.

She tried to push again. I stepped to the front of my cart and started unloading my stuff and she sniveled something at me. By this time, she had the checker's attention and the person who was in line in front of me. I didn't hear her, but I was really annoyed by then and I said, "Is it really so important that you get in front of me, I have 6 things, I have 3 kids with me, I'm in line ahead of you---do you really need to keep pushing this?"

I thought it was over because after I said that she just rolled her eyes and looked away.

Then I hear, "Some people should know when to stop having kids."

Oh. No. She. DIH'UNT.

I swallowed. I took a breath. I thought about counting to 10, I looked at the cashier and she looked more shocked than I felt. So I turned and said, "And some people should never start." The cashier shook her head, reached up and turned off her light and said, "I'm sorry, this lane is closed." Yo, she had my back.

I am always, always shocked when I encounter people like this. I am so shocked by the rudeness, but even more shocked that all of it is a result of something SO petty. Was it really that important to get ahead of me? She has to insult my character because I don't let her?

In better news, I callt my friend for a phone number for a dentist for the kids. I told her J has the next 3 days off and I'd like to try and get some appts done in the next 3 days. At which point she scoffed, "You think you're going to get in this week? I already have an appointment for October!"

Guess who has two appointments for tomorrow at 9 am?

Your mom goes to college!

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMGosh! No way! That is insane. I am shocked and dismayed all at the same time. Yet, so very proud of you for responding. After that I would have needed the anti diarrheal medicine in your cart. Yikes!

Physcokity said...

haha nice. I'm jealous. I normally think of the right thing to say only AFTER the situation has ended and I've replayed it a hundred times over in my head.

I need to learn how to remain more calm in those types of situations, let it go, and then really let them have it.

Jacobson Five said...

You are hillarious. I can always count on your blog for a good laugh. We are bi Wal-Mart goers as well, unfortunatly there are some sketchy folks that go there as well. What else do you do when you are to cheap for the normal stores? You deal.

Leslie said...

Hello, Angela? This is Texas calling. Hi! Good to talk to you, too. I got your number from Leslie. She told me all about your experience at Wal-mart today, and I about died just with her telling! So I just had to call and remind you about how nice people are here and that you need to get your butt back here real quick-like.

Ok! You have a good day, now, hun. Bye!

Anonymous said...

What the C!#*@!!! What's up with people in Iowa? Where's the Midwest hospitality?!?! Come to the great Northwet where you can get that attitude in a language that you at least won't understand!! Zillah (sorry I don't know how to sign back in)

Kristi Clinger said...

I loved this post. I'm glad to hear that the cashier had your back. You have mad skills.

brooke said...

Holy crap, how rude could someone be? She actually told you that some people don't know when to stop having children?!? Wow. You behaved way more nicely than I would have. That's crazy. I love that the checker turned her light off for you. Wow.

Rebecca said...

seriously.. between you and barnecked.. you guys could write a book on walmart idiots.. I cannot believe she had the audacity to say that to you and I give you a HUGE "WHAT WHAT" with two hand pressing up in the air for your reply.. you are so quick.. I think I would of pulled some kungfu chop or something.. and the cashier to turn off her light to .. that is so awesome!!!

Amy said...

Where do people get off?

I have a shirt that says, "Your mom goes to college" and I wore it Wal-Mart last week as a matter of fact. I got all sorts of crusty looks but I just laughed. I think it's HIL-A-RI-OUS!

Super Happy Girl said...

Wait. WHAT?!?!
Oh no. Who knew people could be that rude and ghetto in Iougua.

Good for the cashier having you back. I'd callt her "My G homie!"

Super Happy Girl said...

Cart-ssaulted at Walmert.
Wow, of all places.

You should have a shirt that says "I have a blog" or something like that.

Super Happy Girl said...

I'd have cried if that'd happened to me :(
I don't like violence.

Anonymous said...

You are my hero.

dancin' momma said...

Me and my hormonal self would have punched her in the face! I think your approach was much more appropriate, and wouldn't get your arrested...

Sarah Tilley said...

wow, i'm impressed. i'm not sure if i'd be awesome enough to come up with a snappy comeback if placed in similar circumstances. i can't remember the last time somebody was rude to me. i think i was in the car so i just flipped them off. yeah, i know real classy. hi 5 to the cashier. i'd say you go girl, but that's lame...

Mary said...

Holy schamoley! That makes me mad just reading it! What about a little courteous, "Are you in line?" before trying to butt her way in?

Good for you for standing your ground - I would have probably just started crying.

Sketchy said...

"And some people should never start..."

Oh goodness I love that!

Cindy said...

You should have jacked her! No! not with your kids there. i am sorry. What is up with you encountering such rude people when you go out? I can not believe that happened to you. I would have been p-oed!!I loved your comback, "some people shoule never start." Awesome. Quick on your feet. I like it!!

By the way...That place is so ghetto. I refuse to go!!

I am glad the cashier had your back. I would have too!

Bex said...

GOOOD FOR YOU!!!!! I would have ripped her a new one! Happy late birthday to Danyo! Oh yes and in my mind she was totally homely!!!! With an attitude like that, she is definetly homely!

Bex said...

Hey wait......my kids mom does go to college....i think I should be offended, ah who has time! Love ya!

Millie said...

That's amazing rudeness. There should be a reality show for people like her. Seriously.

I love your comeback and the fact that you had your wits about you enough to get it out. :) Way to go, you place-putter.

NOBODY said...

I didn't really mean for this to be a reflection on the state of Iowa. While it's true, Texas holds the friendliest, I have met some really REALLY nice people here. Just not at Walmert. On the other hand, it was a Walmert employee that was so cool....

And I feel like I need to clarify "Your mom goes to college" is my redundant phrase of the year. I say it about EVERYTHING. It's lame, I know, but I can't help it. It means whatever I want it to mean and nothing it should mean. Here, it meant, "so there!" or "I'm awesome". Either one.

But for you Beckie, it meant anything offendable you could come up with about being a college student. :) Do you want to take this outside?

S said...

You should have worn heels, maybe she would have seen you better.

Super Happy Girl said...

Is this the woman?

Super Happy Girl said...

Clarify "I'm awesome".

Or are you talking about me?

Carrot Jello said...

D'Oh!
One day, we'll go to the grocery store together, and on that day- everybody better shut their mouths because we are there, and they don't want to mess with our mouths. Trust us.

Bex said...

Bring it ON!!!! I can tell you're in a fightin' mood! But it would look odd, me going out side to fight with Nobody...I may get weird looks from the neighbors! LLYAFKLC!! (love ya like a fat kid loves cake, no offense to fat kids who love cake of course, it's just a reflection of jsut how much I love you!)

a said...

WOW!!!! You got everyone all riled up!!! lol. I'm so proud!!!!

Tori :) said...

Nobody I LOVE YOU!!!!!! I laughed the entire time I read this, except for when I said "OH.No.SHE.DIHN'T" at the same time you wrote it!! I soooooooooooooooooooooooo wish I had been there with all 7 of my kids. I would've told them to jump her or key her car or something. But I think you handled it well. ;)

Tori :) said...

And would you believe I live between 2 Walmarts too and go to the "less ghetto" as well?!?! Wow- not only are we the same height we are prejudice towards ghetto Wally Worlds.

Tori :) said...

Listen to Leslie.

Deena said...

And that woman is precisely the reason I don't go to that store.

Seriously... said...

so i just have to share....at the local grocery store here in cleveland i am in line with MY three kids, 1 is being good, one is throwing a fit on the floor and the baby is screaming (so i'm holding him) and he is puking on me. The (i'm sure he's childless...and probably wifeless too) gentleman behind me in line asks if I mind if he cuts in front of me. Normally i'm nice and would probably let the gent go....but i just about lost it with him. Are you serious???? do you not see my throwing up and tantruming children???? I'm in tears as well....I just don't understand some people.

swampbaby said...

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

Michelle said...

Go on with your bad self!! : )

Physcokity said...

NCS wins! I think that describes the woman pretty well...

Physcokity said...

"ghetto Wally Worlds"... I thought that was redundant?