Personal Space

 

You know ... I'm not quite certain what it is about the need for people to violate others' personal space while checking out at the local grocery store. 

My first guess would be their unthinking obliviousness, I suppose. Or the simplest hint of social graces, followed by the probability they don't give a flying flip about anyone but themselves. 

I came into contact with just this sort of person earlier in the week. 

There was someone in front of me checking out and, while they were finishing up, I waited my turn calmly, giving them plenty of room to conduct their transaction without pressing them to move things along. I mean ... that's just basic manners in my book.

Well ... not so with the woman behind me. As I began removing items from my cart and depositing them on the checker's conveyor belt, this lady exaggeratedly reached past me - brushing my arm in the process - in order to snag a divider to separate her groceries from mine. In one hand she precariously balanced a jar of peanut butter and a package of pre-sliced watermelon wedges which I saw when I turned to see who was crowding me. I surmised the two items were much, much too heavy to hold onto and had to be put down immediately before her strength gave out and she collapsed in a heap. (I mean ... what other reason was there for her to unceremoniously reach past me and knock into me with nary a word ... right?)

If this wasn't enough, she remained directly behind me without giving up an inch of real estate so she could obviously keep her items within sight in the event I might abscond with them.

And that was enough for me to react.

I turned around, looked her in the eye and asked "Do you mind stepping back so I don't have to hear you breathing down my neck?" I got a dirty look as a response before she seemingly and reluctantly took a few steps backward. I mentally exhaled at the gall of the woman and said nothing more.

But I did take my ever-loving sweet time checking out, conversing with the checker pleasantly. Producing my wallet slowly and methodically in order to extract my monies. Thanking the checker for her assistance and answering my questions. And, finally, carefully taking the receipt she handed me and performing exacting, perfectly executed folds to it before putting it in my wallet. 

As I departed, I turned to the woman who I could hear huffing at me not-so-silently and offered: "You have a day now, you hear?"

She frowned at me, not knowing whether to respond or not. 

 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )