After coffee with some (conservative, of course) friends on Friday morning I wandered into Coles to buy some groceries. I went to one of the few manned checkouts that they have these days. There was no queue and I proceeded to unload my stuff onto the conveyor belt – if that is what it’s called.
Before I knew it a loose potato and then an apple and some other assorted stuff starting melding into mine. The young checkout chap, an Asian guy, started to pack my bag with foreign items. I said stop and turned to see a forty something-aged man behind me quite careless of my situation. I said why didn’t you put one of those barrier strips – which are readily available – between your shopping and mine. I might have said it impatiently. Yes, okay, I did say it impatiently.
Instead of saying sorry to diffuse the situation he told me not to get uptight; that it would be easily sorted. I retorted. It would not need to be sorted if you had done the right thing from the start. From there the exchange became heated. Silly really. The checkout guy looked uncomfortable.
Anway, walking home, I felt remorseful for not being a better person. After all, I was wearing my “Jesus (El Rey Vienne)” hat at the time. It should have reminded me to be kind to those who irritate me; that sort of thing. Alas, I am definitely part contributor to this fallen world.
However, I saw a Christian woman who I know as I was about to enter my apartment building. I explained what had happened. Tsk, tsk she said, don’t be remorseful about that, save your remorse for something more serious. Made me feel a lot better. Not nearly so sinful.
Better, that is, until I saw in my shopping bag a bottle of hot chilli sauce. Obviously, the chap behind me was the macho kind who like hot chilli sauce. I hate it. I vaguely understand the attraction of hot chilli. But, to me, it is akin to a fat Havana cigar or Scotch whiskey. I like the idea, until I come to smoke or drink it. Then not so much. On the other hand, a Cuban cigarillo and a fine red wine are quite different kettles of fish.
I have had a couple of meals in those Thia restaurants catering for those with strong constitutions. Sweating profusely and eating at the one time, while paying for the privilege, is not my idea of a good time. Eating Italian or French is much more refined and enjoyable. I image they serve hot chilli in Hell. Which is where I risk ending up unless I mend my ways and start turning the other cheek.
Normal convention is that the person unloading puts the barrier down, not the person behind them. Stop being a moron.
First I have ever of that “convention.”
Anyway, who leaves loose fruit and vegies loose and unbagged on the conveyor to roll around?
Guy behind was entirely at fault.
Yes I was thinking “eeeewwww,”
how often have you seen blood from meat on the conveyor! It would be a bacteria metropolis.
anyway: grumpy old man syndrome. Next Peter will be yelling at kids to get of his lawn.
You obviously don’t do the shopping.
Agree with Lee, I always place the barrier down so my stuff doesn’t mix with the stuff belonging to person in front
No way, I put my contraption behind the person in front. During packing I am at the front, loading. The person behind me places the strip between their shopping and mine.
Turn it into a positive. Try just a tiny bit in spaghetti (or similar), or mix it with mayonnaise or tomato sauce (plenty of) and use it as a dip. Slowly increase volume and/or decrease mayo/tomato.
I recognise chilli can be hard to take when you’re not used to it, but it is really worth building up a bit of a tolerance: it makes food wake up. Medium curries in particular are much much much better than mild. You’ll kick yourself for missing out.
That was fun!
Take it back for a refund.
The Christian thing to do would be to pass that yummy chilli on to someone needy who might enjoy it. Food depots for the poor don’t usually run to such tasty luxuries.
You’re lucky, most of my old friends identify as lefty light socialist types whilst their lifestyles are anything but. They have the latest cars, hobnob at expensive restaurants, proclaim climate change as rampant and love renewables, but not one of them has panels. A catch-up over coffee usually turns into a jousting session. At the moment I’ve got the high ground. I don’t say much, just listen and smile knowingly.
My impression is people with loose vegetables have been indoctrinated by the green religion to avoid haram plastic bags, even though the ones in Coles vege section are biodegradable. The propaganda is so pervasive.
My first thought when I saw that as well.
On the other hand, the other guy is probably having a bad day, too – he doesn’t have his chilli sauce.
Peter, I saw on Rick Stein the other week that he was saying the French restaurants just about always add a small amount of chilli to liven up their dishes. People don’t like anchovies much, yet one added mashed up, instead of salt improves a lot of dishes.
Thanks GreyRanga. I took your advice and added a little to a leftover meat dish befor reheating. I think it worked. Never too late to learn.
“Turning the other cheek”?
It has long been decided that doing that is a good idea, but for all the wrong reasons.
A more sensible interpretation is this:
If you are struck, (bitch-slapped?) once, present the other cheek.
If the assailant steps back a bit sheepishly, it was probably just a foolish “flare up” and reconciliation is possible..
If, however, you are struck a second time, the assailant obviously means actual harm. Thus, the life of said assailant is YOURS to do with as required.
“Christianity is NOT (or, at least was not) a suicide cult.
Hence:
Luke 22:36
King James version of Jesus words to the disciples at the Last Supper::
“Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”.
See also the scene in which an angry Disciple lops a bloke’s ear off. (Luke 22:49-51)
Jesus picks it up and re-attaches it. A salutary lesson in who actually has “The Power”.
Peter, I almost invariable enjoy your writing. Bur really, why was it necessary to mention the ethnicity of the checkout assistant? I find locally most shoppers place the strip behind their items. Seems the logical thing to me.
Too many people are oblivious of others nowadays. Sorry to say Peter but often men are the worst culprits in supermarkets leaving their trolleys in the middle of the aisle as they get something and crowding you as you are paying the checkout person to hurry you up. Also not offering to let you through with one or two items.
He was a dope behind you and I like the fact you said something to him. I’m sick of being so polite to dopes, nice guys finish last!!
It’s pretty simple,once you have unloaded your stuff put one of the barriers down .If the person in front of you has unloaded everything and they’d onto put a barrier down then put one down.i get more annoyed with those who seem to be surprised that they have to pay then faff around with money or their credit card after they have spent 5 minutes getting it out.
Yes, Morsie, but I was still unloading and was unaware of anyone behind me until his stuff started flowing through. On reflection, it was his fault but I should have been more forgiving.
turning the other cheek would have really meant walking straight out of that supermarket leaving all your items in place