Today I went to Piggly Wiggly. It's a grocery store. And I went just because I didn't feel like going to my usual grocery and I thought Piggly Wiggly was having some decent sales on the things I most needed.
As I pushed my cart up one aisle there were two women shopping and talking, both blocking the aisle. One moved up and out of the way. The other moved her cart kind of to the side, but more to the middle. I squeezed past her going the other way up the aisle. I was not going to touch her cart at all, but I had to really pay attention to get past. As I passed her she was cussing about teriaki sauce. As I got 2 steps past her she said, "You COULD have said EXCUSE ME." So I half turned back to her and said, "Excuse me! I'm sorry," and kept walking.
And that woman pretty much ruined my day.
Because I really think I'm in the right to say that if you are the one blocking the aisle then you are the one burdened to excuse yourself for making someone else go out of their way to avoid you.
And I wanted to pass her in the store again just so I could flash her a dirty look. Or maybe ram her with my cart. (No, I wouldn't do that. Just dream.)
But I've been reading all this Happiness stuff and books about etiquette and manners and being nice and all. None of it helped today. I did take a few extra breaths in my car. I did try to shake it off before I left the parking lot. I did think what a sad woman she must be to be cussing about sauces and fussing at me for coming too close to her cart for her comfort. But it still made me really angry.
I think a lot of my anger is at myself for apologizing to her. I did want her to know that I heard her. But I almost wish I had told her that she was the one who should be excusing herself. At the same time I know it would have been pointless. She would not have heard me. And who am I to make a scene in the Piggly Wiggly?
And on the other hand...
2 comments:
Hey Joanna, I think we all hate it when someone decides to "correct" us like a parent might have when we were younger. We are adults and don't deserve that treatment in the least. Here are some fun options for the next time. A. You are not my parent, so mind your own business. B. My parents didn't raise me to correct other adults behavior. Its a shame your parents weren't as effective as mine. C. Burst into tears and tearfully regret the the horrible injustice of it all. D. Say get the ?":* out of my way. Josie
You could also throw this next time. "Ma'am, you're right I could have said 'excuse me.' But by the same token you could have moved your cart out of the middle of the aisle to make it easier for me to get by," and then leave after that. This way you can say that you were polite and respectful. :o)
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