Friday, December 05, 2008

The Art of Line Switching

It’s ironic how being an impatient person, I will always seem to draw experiences to me that try to teach me the lesson of PATIENCE.

And even though I know this, I’m not always successful at learning the lesson.

You see, I'm one of those fortunate people who continually seems to pick the SLOWEST line.

This happens to me whether I’m in the bank, the store, or even the toll booth line when I use to have a car.

A few days ago, while I was on my way to work, I stopped by the drug store to pick up some shower gel. There were two check-out cashiers working at the time, so I picked a line and waited.

Well, let me tell you…

I could have read TWO novelettes and had a complete rhinoplasty procedure, during the time I waited.

It was obvious in the way the cashier was moving, that she either didn’t drink coffee or hadn‘t had any that day, but it was clear that she needed to start slamming Red Bull.

Slowly I could feel the familiar impatient tension starting to build in my toes, as it worked it’s way up through my shoulders and into my head, where a stream of steam started to blow out of my ears.

So I did what I usually do…

…I switched lines.

And as soon as I did this, the line that I had been standing in started to move quicker, however, the line in which I was now standing came to screeching halt because the cashier had a VOID and needed to call a manager to correct it.

I immediately started to roll my eyes, huff and puff, and curse obscenities under my breath.

I waited about 45 seconds and then did what I usually do…

I switched lines again.

And as soon as I did this, the line that I had been standing in completed the void and began to move quicker, however, the line in which I was now standing came to a screeching halt, because the cashier needed to call a manager to get change.

Ok…so by this time my lips were starting to snarl, my teeth were gnashing, and my head started to spin counter-clockwise.

And I thought to myself…

“WHEN?! WHEN? ! WHEN will I ever LEARN?

If I had just stayed in the original line and had not been so impatient, this would have only taking me a few minutes instead of a few CENTURIES!”

And when I finally DID get to the head of the line, the cashier all bubbly and cheery said, “Hi…how are you today?”

And all I could say was….

…“Super delightful.”

Have a super delightful weekend, everyone!