Ah . . . for those of you that know me, you know of my serious affliction to Chocolate Chip CQQkies. Once again I strike, right at the heart of a very innocent checker at my local grocery store.
Okay, so the bachelor is out of food and heads to the store, fully expecting to continue a long standing tradition of eating while shopping. Usually healthy food like fruit or something that is protein based. Imagine my notion that says “you’ll shop less if you not so hungry.” Yea . . tell that to a bodybuilder – we’re hungry ALL the time.
In the store with my list and where do I first arrive? AT . . .THE BAKERY. Now, talk about being congruent. I grab a box of three dozen chocolate chip cookies and proceed to work on the grocery list. Freshly squeezed carrot juice, spinach, edamame’s, Propel fitness drinks, distilled water, albacore tuna, high protein this, no fat and no carb’s that. And yes, toys for my two cats.
Mixed and mingled with crossing stuff off the grocery list is consuming copious amounts of chocolate chip cookies chased by the ever so healthy freshly squeezed carrot juice. What a combination! Actually the old guy in charge of the produce department views this on a weekly basis and he seems very amused by it all.
Shopping cart is now FULL of extremely healthy food and buried in the bottom of the mix is the box of chocolate chip cookies. I make my way up to the check out stand and find an unoccupied line. A very nice women, reminding me of my Grandma Rowberry, was the ever so innocent senior citizen checker.
I offered to handle the heavy items which she dually noted and thanked me for. She is proceeding at her responsibilities as fast as she could and finally picks up the box of cookies. She passes them over the bar code machine and stops mid-stride with one of the most astonishing looks I have recently seen. She exclaims: “Sir, this box is obviously missing at least half the cookies that are suppose to be in there (long pause while she is examining the box). We either need to get you a full box of cookies or charge you half price!”
Now, being a speaker and trainer on listening skills, I put into practice what I preach. I take a deep breath and paused for a moment. She GET’S the non-verbal communication and starts in again . . . “I can’t believe that someone would actually eat HALF a box of cookies and then have the audacity to put them back on the shelf. What is becoming of these types of people?”
Well, I think it’s time that I intervene before she calls store security. I said, “Ma’am, it’s okay . . . I’ll pay the full price of the box” and she IMMEDIATELY cuts me off and demands that I choose from her original request – “get a new box or pay for half.” I put on a BIG smile and slowly explain to her that she is speaking directly to the culprit, “you know, the one that is that certain TYPE of person you just described!”
Oh, if I could have just captured her look when it finally sank in that I was the one that had consumed that half box of cookies. With a full giggle and smile, along with a big laugh from another employee who over-heard the whole exchange, she proceeded to apologize and complete her mission of checking the rest of my healthy groceries.
My new friend went as far as to confirm how to pronounce my last name (just like Eddie Bauer) and invited me to return to the store soon to take advantage of their wonderful chocolate chip cookies.
As I get along in age and experiences, I attempt to be open and available for learning life lessons from those older and wiser. Yet, at the same time, it’s funny when every once in awhile to get one up on them! You never know when a Chocolate Chip Cookie just might lead you to a new and positive experience . . .
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