I’m at Whole Foods. All lines are full. I pick the line that appears to be the shortest and moving the fastest. Three more people ahead of me.
image: life.com
Then all of a sudden the longer lines to either side of me are moving much faster because the person 2 spots ahead of me strikes up a conversation with the cashier. Not only are they chit chatting but there’s a price discrepancy on what she’s buying. Then her eggs had to get sent back because a few were broken. And for goodness sakes, I hope she doesn’t write a check.
Waiting, waiting, waiting, patiently.
One more person ahead of me. She’s chatting to the customer as if he was her long lost cousin. They’re chatting about the earthquake prediction, Japan, toaster doodles, and Kombucha. Grrrrrr!
My turn! “Hi, how’s your day? Find everything ok?” says the cashier. I muster up a smile and said, “yep.” She’s taking her time sliding my grocery across the scanner. Grrrr.. She’s intrigued at everything I bought. She stops to scrutinize the fresh chard and cheese stuffed ravioli I bought. I’m thinking, “scan it. put it in the bag. scan the next item.” I was thinking so hard hoping her esp is tuned in this morning and she’ll get a hint. Nope!
“This sounds really tasty. What sauce do you use?” she asks and before I could even reply she’s rambling on about how much the pear and percorino ravioli is really good too. “I often make my own,” she boosts. Grrrr! “Cool!” I say as I try not to mumble “yay for you for having time to make fresh pasta… I don’t.” Ok.. maybe her esp is tuned in because she goes to offer a recipe before I could even say anything. “It’s really easy. I just use won ton wrappers and fill it with my own stuffing. It tastes just the same.” she says.
Whoa…. what a great idea I’m thinking. Thank you (sincerely). She really made my wait pleasant after that. Just a few words connected us. Imagine that.. really connecting with someone and breaking the barrier of the usual ways we talk, listen, and interact with people. Thank you random cashier at Whole Foods.
As I walk away I could hear her talking up a storm with the person behind me. I caught myself thinking how funny it would be if I were to just buy some condoms, duct tape, and rope the next time I shop… they’ll all be organic, natural, and fair trade of course.
Wouldn’t this be an interesting conversation at the cashier line?
image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yogurt75/5166340411
Bwahahahaha
Tags: annoying cashiers, connection, conversation starters, random thoughts
Yogini, teacher, life coach, mom, lover, health food fanatic, beach bum to be, and fear conqueror who makes a mean salsa. 
I think that condoms would be all you could find in the store.
I was just talking to one of the cashiers about making kombucha, were you in my line?
I nominated you for a blogger award…http://domesticdharma.blogspot.com/2011/03/more-awards-and-loves.html
i love this post, you always draw me in to reading then make me smile
nikki, i read this last night and wanted to comment (i liked the post a lot!) but couldn’t quite pin why i liked it so much
this morning it struck me, this was like the perfectly written short story!
the title had immediately caught my attention, the picture image of the customer line was at first funny, then i thought it might be that the post was disaster related (duct tape etc), then i started reading the story, and i forgot all about the title!
i got completely engrossed with the narrative
by the end of the tale, the title came back, jolting me with it’s surprise application
nikki, great writing, loved it, loved the story, loved the humor and thought
yes!
i do love how strangers can connect. btw, you have THE funniest titles for your posts, ever!!
hugs!!
if you ever see someone with that in his or her basket, a call to the cops might be in order. however, if it’s me, might just be a day in the life. well, the rope and duct tape anyhow.
i love when moments like this happen: some random person in the loveliness of their day snaps me out of the hectic/bustle of mine. I try to give back in kind as well.
oh and next time I’m at whole foods I’m getting won ton wrappers. great idea
You have the appreciate the authentic moments, so often everyone just hides behind their public persona, trying to stay disconnected from the world around us.