I Know She Di'int

Oh, it's amazing how young children can be so...young.  When I say young, I do not mean Ariel and Racecar young, I mean, high school young.  And when I say young, I do not mean young, I mean stupid.  or maybe immature. 

Let me set up this little scenario that occured yesterday and evaluate what is wrong with some people, shall we?

Brian and I have been in the market for a new set of cordless phones.  Our current phones have an interference with someone's fax machine and it literally beeps your ear off and it also will suddenly zap yours and the caller's ears off with a loud zapping noise.  Also, we've had a neighbor who has heard our phone conversations, so...time for a new set. 

Brian and I essentially knew what type of phone we wanted and what brand we did not, so whilst perusing my Sunday Ads, I came across a lovely little deal at Office Max, a set of phones for 50% off.

We took the kids to Office Max on our way to my Mom's house and we found the phones that we saw in the ad right away and picked up the box.  Not to be foolish, we wanted to see what other phones Office Max had to offer when we noticed a new Digital type of phone, it said things like "Interference Free" and well, although it was twenty bucks more, we thought we should at least try it out because "Interference Free" sounds really great as much as Brian and I talk on the phone.   

Okay, here's the good stuff folks.

I have always taught my children to talk to strangers.  I know that sounds well, strange and opposite and everything, but I always felt like they should be polite and kind and offer their greetings even to those they do not know.  So, no matter how tall or green or strange someone is, they always say "hello."  When ever I see them start to stare at someone, I always tell them to say "hello" and smile and they always do and it always makes people happy.

Another thing we do, is we make it a habit to ask our cashier's their names.  Some cashiers are just grouchy and probably wish my kids would be quiet and mind their own beeswax, but most cashiers seem to enjoy their brief and animated conversations.  Some cashiers even get to hear about potty training and throwing up.  It's good stuff.

And then...there was Sylvia. 

We approached the counter with our new cordless phones and two children in tow with a little skip in our steps because we had been in the store for oh, 3 minutes.  And we were both happy about our new purchase.  Ariel and Racecar immediately said "HI!  I'M ARIEL.  I'M RACECAR, WHAT'S YOUR NAME? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  WHY?"  And then...our phone rang up at a higher price and Brian pointed it out and I was all like "yeah, that's the wrong price, let me get the sign to show you, m'kay" and I went and handed it to her and she was all like "okay, well let me ask a manager" and she clicked on her magic headset and said "um...Julie, there's these people that bought a phone and the item is ringing up a price but they are saying it's a different price and the sign says it's this price, but it's scanning and different price and it says the same thing on the box and on the sign."  And then she walked away into an office. 

In the meantime, the line grew rapidly, but I didn't care.  I immediately said to Brian "I am fighting this one."

She came back and said "See, this item number on the sign is 3GRE1111EE and the code on the box is 3GRE111EE, there is one less 1."  Are you kidding me, Sylvie?  I kinda laughed because I didn't even know where to begin.  I know Brian asked if they had the phone described on the sign in stock and the answer was "no."  And then the question "is there a sign that describes this box?"  No.  But, luckily, the very smart manager was coming up to us with a box."  Sylvia says "Julie had a much better deal for you."  It was the same phone in the ad.

I said to Julie "we don't want that phone.  We want this phone for $79.99, are you going to give it to us or not at this price."  She did.  BUT WAIT.  The story isn't over.

Sylvia, after handing us our bag says "you really need to teach your kids not to talk to strangers."

silence.

I know she di'nt.

"No, SYLVIA, I think they are just fine."  I replied.  Calmly.

"Well, my little nephew tells people everything, like his last name, his address, everything, he don't know when to stop telling people stuff."

"I'm not going to teach my children not to talk to strangers, they will be just fine."

And friends, it was all I could not to push that bright yellow cart to the side, climb over the counter and bang SYLVIA'S head into the cash register, but I remembered something.  She's a child.   She doesn't know any better.

We walked out, Brian snickered and said "wow."

I knew that even though I didn't bash her head into anything hard, that at least I had a good story to share on my blog.

Comments

[Lynette]

OMG! My mouth has dropped while reading this entry. Little Ms. Sylvia needs to keep that mouth of hers shut and I don't care if she's young. Manners babe! Oh wow. I would have been floored and been all, "Excuse me! Who the BEEP do you think you are telling me what my kids should or should not do. Beyoch!" You handled that quite well. Kudos to you for not jumping the counter no matter how tempting it was.

So how are the new phones working out?

[Beth F.]

They suck.

We are returning them.

[Liza]

I too like kids who "talk to strangers"..say "hello" and all that....

Too bad this neurotic world is that "spontaneous courtesy and friendliness" away. ..

[Michelle]

Are you serious?? Knowing how to start a conversation is a serious life skill.....dumb l'il punk! Sorry that the phones suck.

[Janet Bowser]

I find it amazing that cashiers tend to comment so much on other people's child rearing. I have had more cashiers than I can count give me advice about how to handle Charlie for example, "My mom would have smacked me in the head for acting like that." or "If you let him keep that up he will never learn anything." or even "If he keeps opening and closing that door (on the coke display) he will pinch his fingers."

I know. I know all about it. Lord I wish just once he WOULD pinch his fingers - he might learn not to do it, but he hasn't. I know he's a pain in the stores. It's called Autism and I drag it everywhere with me. I am so thrilled that they point it out to me in front of a whole line of people so that I can be even more embarrassed. I don't like to say in front of Charlie, "My child has autism." He is old enough to understand and I don't want to go there, but if I did they usually reply, "What's autism?". My very point. Your employment as a cashier apparently qualifies you as a family counselor and childhood psychologist.

Can you tell I am just a wee peckle cranky today. Charlie was up at 4 am this morning. 5 am yesterday. Sorry to rant on your blog. But the cashier thing just reached out and touched me.

And I have been buying phones and the past two sets have been crap. I feel your pain.

[jodi]

Grrrr... but you are right, at least you got a blog entry out of it!

[Tracey]

I'm sorry, but I was laughing at this entry right from where you started talking about high school kids. Because I could see something good was coming. Being intimately acquainted with high school kids and all. Oh, the stories I could TELL you...

You have to just remember that teenagers are basically clinically insane because of all the hormones. Seriously. I had to remind myself constantly "it's not personal, she/he is not working with a full deck right now because he/she has an incredibly potent hormone cocktail pumping through his/her bloodstream right now. Let it slide" It helped. A lot. Like when they would tell you to f#&* off.

[dcrmom]

And that, my friend, is worth all kinds of torture!

[Elisa]

I just realized that we ALWAYS talk to strangers. What a nutjob.

I make you tired? You seem busy yourself, little lady! I'm actually kind of stressed today because I need to leave her in like 20 minutes to HOST a playgroup at the park and both girls are asleep and neither ate any lunch.

I'm thinking I'll just pack something and let them eat on the way, what do ya think? Formula for little Baby Cate? I say YES.

[Jenn B]

My kids talk to strangers too. I love that they are so innocent and friendly. My job as their mom is to watch them carefully, teach them what *not* to say, and set boundaries for them - all which you are doing.

Although Sylvia might have been genuinely concerned for your kids, it doesn't excuse her approach. Apparently, her mom didn't teach her how to speak appropriately to strangers!

[Thea]

Are you KIDDING me?? Your restraint should be applauded. Stuff like that really ticks me off. Mind your own, I say! And the phones sucked to boot. Where's the silver lining here?

Oh yeah, your kids are cool and she is not.

[Amy A]

It's awesome that your kids are so friendly and talk to people, I, on the other hand, have children who when spoken to, I have to reapeatedly tell them to answer the nice person who has spoken to them. I think they definitely acquired my very shy genes, but I still wish they were more like your kids in that department! Oh yeah, and good job not leaning over and giving her a good pumch in the head!

[Melissa]

Priceless...since when does the cashiers at Offic Max have degrees in parenting??!! Anyways I am with you and do not keep my kids from talking to strangers. I have found that many more people like it when the little ones talk to them than those who are grumps about it. Of course we also talk about how it is okay to talk to strangers with mommy and daddy, but not by yourself to help keep those lines straight. I think it is great that you are teaching your children manners because Lord knows more people could use them!!! Have a good rest of the week and enjoy those new phones!
Mel

[That Chick]

Sylvia needs a good whacking, I'd say.

[Faerylandmom]

ROFL!!! Sylvia is quite lucky, I would have to say! I love how people without kids always know more than you do about raising them. Funny stuff.

I stopped by at the advice of Mel from Life is Like a Box of Chocolates, who found you via the Ultimate Blog Part. Just in case you were wondering.