Hot take: That one comment from a stranger at the grocery store still bugs me

Last Tuesday I was at the checkout line in a Publix in Orlando. The cashier was super friendly, chatting with me about my avocados. Then the guy behind me just blurts out "You're taking too long, lady" right when I was fishing for my wallet. It wasn't even a busy line, maybe three people. I froze and apologized to the cashier, who looked uncomfortable. It's been a week and I still replay it in my head, wondering if I should have said something back. Has anyone else had a random stranger's comment just stick with you for days?

2 comments

2 Comments

keithbennett8d ago

A similar thing happened to me at a Kroger last year. I just turned, looked the guy right in the eye, and said "I'll be done when I'm done" and went back to my wallet. It shut him up and the cashier even smiled.

sanchez.blake8d ago

Yeah, but with respect to @keithbennett, that only works if the person behind you actually cares about being called out. Some people just double down and get louder. I've seen guys get in a cashier's face because someone took an extra 10 seconds to find their card. The cashier smiling doesn't mean much either, they're paid to be nice half the time. I think the better move is to just say "almost done" in a calm voice and keep moving, gives them less to argue with. A lot of times these people are looking for a reaction, not a conversation. You gave them one, even if it was a good one.