Sunday, February 3, 2013

The Rewards of Shopping

"Would you like to have the senior discount applied?" asked the rosy cheeked eighteen year old behind the counter.

Let's pause and roll back.

I had to make a quick trip to Walgreens.  Normally I would head for Target - much more fun to shop at Target. Better prices too. But, I digress.  So there I am in the check out line. There are five people behind me. I am wearing skinny jeans, boots, and a big puffy jacket. It's minus something or other outside. My makeup is on nicely. My hair is messy-wavy-curly - it is also silver, white and black depending on where you look.   This hair-thing was not a voluntary decision -it was the result of a pretty icky allergy that threatened to kill me.

I quickly concluded that if my hair were brown - or even blonde - this girl would not have asked me this question.

I looked up from wrestling with my wallet and stared at her for a few seconds while I gathered my composure. "So, " I asked, "was it the hair? Did you ask me because of my hair?" She was stunned, flustered. "Um um, " she struggled, "um no Ma'am (ma'am????) I sort of ask everyone.".  I looked down the line behind me and spotted a thirtyish brunette talking to her cell phone. I pointed and said, "Will you ask her? "Probably not, " the young woman replied. I smiled - not a friendly smile. More like sinister, "Then  , sure I'll take the discount."

I guess all that qualifies me as a mean old lady.

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