Apr 16, 2009

I do not wish to shock the reader but, some people have no boundaries. More on that in a moment. Yesterday I was waiting on an elderly customer, a 93-year old woman. You would never peg her for 93, you might mistake her for a very spry 80-year old. Anyway, she reminded me that she is 93, like she does every time I see her. I'm kind of obliged to tell her that she doesn't look 93, so I did. She told me that her longevity and vitality are due to optimism and faith in God. If she's right, then I'm screwed. Oh, well. Okay, now back to guys with no boundaries. Two guys came in yesterday afternoon to buy some plumbing supplies. One guy was a big fellow wearing bib overalls, he did all the talking. Since readers have commented that they love my verbatim transcripts of conversations, here goes. Big Guy: Is it cheaper to buy 32 feet of quarter-inch copper tube or to buy a whole roll (50 feet)? Me: A whole roll. Big Guy: Okay, get me a roll and two ferrules (plumbing gizzmoes). Me: Anything else today? Big Guy: Yeah, what's the state of your eternal soul? (Blood rushed to my eyes and I couldn't see for a second.) Me: Couldn't tell you. Big Guy: You better repent and come to Jesus. Me: Anything else? Big Guy: All men are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. Me: Not me. Anything else? Big Guy: What? Think about it friend, Jesus is Lord. Me: Anything else for you today? Big Guy: Nope. I am not skilled enough to describe how angry people like this make me. Things in this blog represented to be fact, may or may not actually be true. The writer is frequently wrong, sometimes just full of it, but always judgmental and cranky

15 comments:

alphabet soup said...

I read the first bit about the 93 yr old and wanted to comment but after some thought decided my comment might have been overstepping the boundaries.

Then I read the rest. Seriously!! I'm still not commenting for fear of the boundary markers but I am having great difficulty not laughing out loud......
Ms Soup

R.L. Bourges said...

If you ask me, the 93 year old should mainly be thanking her genes but, oh well.

'The state of your eternal soul' - had one of those approach me in a campground where I was reading my paper. Young woman just walked up and asked me what I would say to God , if I happened to die right that minute. I think I was fairly polite in replying my conversations with the Maker were private and confidential and have a good day.( I never argue the concept of the Maker with perfect strangers - you never know where it might take you.)

Dealing with the public is something else, yes? Hope you meet some nice folks today.

Unknown said...

I think you handled it much better than most people would have. Bravo!

Squirrel said...

I always say my religious beliefs are personal too, -some persistent jerks don't agree though. -you should not have to deal with people like this while at work, work is enough stress all on its own.

Kurt said...

When my brother worked in the hardware store, customers would sometimes ask him if he was a Christian. He would say "I've been a Christian my whole life." (His name is Christian).

Bella Rum said...

Once after my son had done or said something that she deemed polite, a woman looked at me admiringly and asked, "Are you a Christian?"
I guess she thought heathens were recognizable by their poor manners.

Steve Reed said...

Merle, I admire your restraint!

Kurt: LOL!

Barbara said...

People in all work situations need to respect the fact that others might have different beliefs from theirs or none at all. Just today my friend, who is a doctor, had to chastise her office staff about sending around "Christian" messages. I'm always suspicious of the missionaries of the world!

Megan said...

I can't think of the word for it. Be right back.

Megan said...

Prostelitizing? That can't be the right spelling.

Anyways it bugs.

a. said...

I don't think I would have handled that as well as you did.

Coffee Messiah said...

Good thing you're not out here, it happens more than you can imagine.

Lots of these stories to go around I imagine.

What can you say really? ; (

and I believe you expressed it well ; )

Marcia said...

funny how they always "peg" you

Erika said...

I was buying yogurt when a woman asked me whether I had Jesus in my heart. I'm atheist, but was shopping with my Christian friend who deadpanned "Nope. She doesn't. She's going to hell." The woman zoomed away... to the sound of our laughter. I'm a big fan of people believing what they want to believe, and not imposing it on others while they are grocery shopping.

Reya Mellicker said...

It is so insulting, isn't it? For heaven's sake, your soul is as good as gold.

Get out of here.