At swim lessons this afternoon, I enjoyed "people watching" and the soft mist in the parent area. The time disappeared all too quickly, and my focus turned to dinner.
After my boys fought about putting on clothes in the van, despite its super-tinted windows and ample crouching space ("what if someone sees me naked?"), we went off to my favorite local burrito place. (I also have favorite "semi-local" and "semi-local-ish" and "kinda far away" and "far away" burrito places. The list can go on... Give me spice wrapped up in a tortilla and I'm good.)
I ordered my standard: a thai "world" burrito with smoked tofu. I also ordered food for the kids, including a bag of tortilla chips. I paid, and we found a table. As we sat, the gal gave me a cup. I was a little confused, since I didn't think I had ordered any sort of drink. And so, I checked my receipt to see exactly what was printed: no drink, but the chips weren't on there.
I approached the cashier and informed her of what I thought was a mistake. I started to pull out a couple bills from my wallet. She smiled and assured me that the guacamole I purchased actually came with a bag of chips. Excellent!
Of course, she also looked a little confused. I mean, who asks to be charged more money? Me, that's who. I have plenty examples in my past where being honest meant I was at a huge disadvantage. Sigh.
But this time, it paid off.
As I collected my order, the cashier threw me an extra bag of chips. She explained that someone hadn't put quite enough of the chips inside the bag before sealing it, so she knew she couldn't sell it, so I might as well have it.
I left smiling, glad that she had given me those extra chips (whereas she and her coworkers could have just broken open the bag and chowed down themselves.)
But of course less than 30 seconds passed before I witnessed a guy lay on his horn and flip the bird the instant a light turned green just because the woman in front of him dared pause before entering the intersection. And then a haughty lady in an SUV screamed into an empty parking space just as my kids and I were about to cross it to get to my van. (Fortunately I saw her coming, and told my kids to stop.) Aaaand, once we were on the road, I had a car cut me off. The neighbor's kids leave their toys in my driveway. The mailman doesn't quite understand the purpose of the flag. And I have no clean shirts (OK, that's my own fault.)
But hey, at least I got some free tortilla chips!
Comments (4)
It's so refreshing to see people make an honest effort to be nice. I try hard to remember that my attitude can affect others, but at the same time, their attitudes affect mine as well. It's hard to keep a pleasant demeanor when everyone around you is being grumpy and/or mean.
Glad you had a bright moment in your day!
Posted by Christina | June 29, 2010 6:33 PM
Posted on June 29, 2010 18:33
Yay, honesty! My husband is like that. We went to Home Depot once and bought a whole bunch of stuff and were half way home before I checked the receipt and realized that we hadn't been charged for a wheelbarrow (how do you miss a wheelbarrow?). He turned the car around and drove all the way back to give them $40. Maybe the two of you could chat.
Posted by Stimey | June 30, 2010 6:33 AM
Posted on June 30, 2010 06:33
Add this to your list of mean people... the cashier at the grocery store rolled her eyeballs at me when I pulled out my foodstamps. SHUT YO MOUTH MEAN CASHIER LADY!
Posted by Nicki | June 30, 2010 8:09 PM
Posted on June 30, 2010 20:09
I think that integrity and honestly should be the standard not the exception. I think it is also important to look for the good people are doing as well.
Posted by Skyler Meine | July 2, 2010 11:54 AM
Posted on July 2, 2010 11:54