Giving this oldie but goodie some rehashing and seeking the comment love (I think) it deserves!
Another great round at The Lounge! Thanks Tegan at Musings of the Misguided for hosting!
Recently, I wrote a post about the unsolicited opinions and quick judgements I’ve encountered from random strangers and barely there acquaintances.
What I failed to mention were the side comments I receive from by-passers. There are two particularly common remarks that get flung around so frequently that it’s even throwing Lady Gaga out of fashion.
People will walk by and inevitably have a good gawk. Then, without fail, I will be hit with either a:
“Ooooh, double trouble !” or “Gee, your hands must be full !”
Are we that desperate for some originality these days ?
And why does it always have to be a negative tone ?
One always has the choice to say: “Twice as nice.” Or better yet, just smile. Then walk on. Please.
I was waiting in-line at our teeny tiny shoe-box of a post office one day. It’s a place where the Asian ladies working there barely crack a smile and the term “customer service” has never had the adjective “friendly” in front of it.
The man in front of me was drawing a cheque and happily exclaimed to the rest of the queue how he had just reached his first million dollars in his bank account. The lady at the counter – in her typical icy cold style – didn’t even bat an eyelid. In fact, I’m pretty sure she threw one of her “Do you think I care ?” pouts.
As the brand new millionaire left the post office, and I moved up to the counter, I was terrified to face the dragon lady. My twin stroller had pretty much taken up the entire narrow aisle and had knocked a few items off the shelves as I had inched my way to be served. Looking apologetic for all the kerfuffle I had created, I handed over the letters I needed posting.
“Oh, you hab twins ? Day boys ?” she asked in her strong Vietnamese accent.
“Uh, yes, yes. Both boys…” I smiled timidly.
I had been in the post office before when the boys were barely 8 months and sleeping soundly in their covered pram. So, this was the first time she had had a proper view. Her out-of-character friendly small talk had taken me aback.
“How old ? Day look ay-den-ti-kal. Day look same.” She continued. Even cracking a smile when looking down at the boys from the counter.
“Just turned one. Yes, identical.” I was floored. I almost fainted from all her unusual niceties.
“One million. Two million dollar. I don’t care. When you have twin…who need million dollar ???” She said matter-of-factly as she put the stamps on my mail and tossed them in the despatch box.
I was left at the counter gobsmacked. While she, on the other hand, had already forgotten about me and was turning up her chin in military style to say to the next customer, “Yes, you. Next. Hup two.”
Who needs a million dollars when you have twins.
It was a comment that ticked all my boxes.
Original. Positive. Sincere.
Yup, I’ll take that. Thanks.