PyroBurns said:

Example 1:

I'm waiting in line at this grocery store called New Seasons. This hag in front of me is having some problems with her card or something so it's taking a bit. Then the bagger in my line points to another register and sends some woman behind me to the register on the other side. Then I see there is another cahsier waiting so I pick up my stuff to head on over but some other old hag takes that line. So I put my stuff back down right as the guy in the register to my right opens his after he's been standing there for 5 minutes. Right when I go to grab my stuff someone takes that register. Now keep in mind that I don't care. It was funny and the register I was at is ready now anyway.

Me: Wow, each register was open and taken as I turned my head!
Him: Sorry about that sir, it won't happen again.
Me: No no no, it's okay. I just thought it was kind of funny.
Him: Again I'm deeply sorry. May I have your signature, please?

That store usually pisses me off because they expect you to be an uptight yuppy who will get all sore if they let their hair down a little. Sure they are pretty helpful, and let me sample whole fistfuls of fruit, but they interact with me like I'm going to sue them if they so happen to show some emotion.

Example 2: I don't really feel like going in depth here anymore, but this guy who owns the auto clinic always is so serious with me. Like I'm trying to catch him making fun of my truck.  . Maybe if I brought him some beers sometime he'll finally ligthen up.

Anyway I can't be guilt free about this myself. Sometimes I can be pretty stiffly polite with stangers, and for some reason am kind a stickler about ettiquette. Though more often than not I'd rather have a more humanly connected experience. Even on Hawthorne Blvd. here in Portland a lot of the mom and pop store clerks can be stiff even though it's supposed to be a really laid back street.

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JacquesCousteau said:

Indeed... better to get used to it now, and perhaps learn to laugh at instead of despising things that don't please ya.

P.S. Love your Jack Handy sig.

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