Saturday, April 18, 2009

Am I Wrong

Anyone acquainted with the Trader Joe's shopping experience knows that although the food is tasty and the prices are great, you have to be a bit of an adventurer to shop there. The stores are small and always overcrowded. A wait in the "Any Number of Items" line is usually 15 minutes minimum. Last night I was in the ANOI line and it seemed to be moving briskly along for a very scant moment. Then IT happened. 

Simultaneously, the line ceased to move briskly and an Asian couple (of what nationality I do not know) got in line behind me. I'm no xenophobe, but the problem lies in the fact that Asian countries are usually populous and the people are accustomed to being VERY close in proximity to one another at all times. And I'm not talking about a NYC close where on any given rush hour ride someone's crotch is likely to be in your face if you were lucky (or unfortunate) enough to find a seat on the jammed packed train. I understand these moments because the people don't have a choice. Nah, these people in line behind me had a choice indeed and they chose to get close enough behind me where I could feel their breath on my neck. 

I have not personally heard an Asian dialect that was pleasing on the ears. They are very rough sounding languages to me. Sorry, but I'm being honest.  They spoke roughly and quite loudly. The line seemed to be crawling along at this point, and I was hungry and annoyed. I tried to turn to them and sigh thinking that would inform them of their too close for comfort presence. It didn't work. I then shifted positions from the back of my cart holding the handles to standing on the side of it. Nope, still nothing. Finally, I asked them if they'd like to skip me. It took them a minute to understand what I was trying to get them to do, but then they took me up on my offer. I stayed as far as I could behind them and never heard their conversation the rest of the time I was in line. 

Was I wrong? I should add that they only had 5 items so, really they were in the wrong line to begin with. I still can't help but wonder if my offer of kindness was somehow wrong or rude? Any opinions? 

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