Just Saying
Okay. I know that, as a person who works in a health food store, I’m not really supposed to say this, but I’m not at work now, nor am I using the wireless there to post this blog, so I feel free to make the following comment: if you want to enjoy a meal with pasta, buy pasta. Don’t waste your money, time, or water making anything like “brown rice penne” or “spelt shells”. It’s a sticky, tacky, goopy sad mess of a starch.
Just so you know, I do more than discover the disappointments of wheat-free alternatives at work. In fact, sometimes I find myself downright inspired…and it’s not all about food. The other day, for example, as I was garnishing the north African potato soup with some fresh cilantro, I heard the intercom click, “DELI, line one; deli, line ONE.” I wiped my hand on my apron and picked up the phone. “this is Amy in the deli, how can I help you?”
A woman stuttered on the other side of the connection. “Hi,” she finally opened, “I was in there the other day, you see, I live in Cortez and I came there to shop, and I had lunch in the deli, and then, when I got home, I found my deli ticket in my purse! I just can’t clear my conscience about it! I feel so bad! What can I do? Can I send you a check?”
Since I don’t work at the counter, it took me a second to figure out what she was saying, but then it clicked. She’d ordered food from the deli, ate it, and then left without paying for it. I quickly moved into problem-solving mode. “Well, will you be back in town soon?”
"Yes," she responded, sounding somewhat relieved already, just to have had her confession received. “I’m in town fairly frequently.”
“Well then, if you remember, bring in the ticket and you can pay for it the next time you shop here.” And then I laughed, “but it’s all okay…these things happen! I just really appreciate you calling in and telling us about it. Don’t worry, your karma is clear!”
“I’m putting a sticky note in my wallet and reminding myself to pay for this,” she said. “I won’t forget.”
“it’s okay,” I repeated. “Thanks again, really, for owning your slip up. It’s really the most generous thing you could have done. Now, please, have a good day!”
I hung up the phone and smiled. This woman went out of her way to be accountable. I felt warm with excitement. There’s one more person practicing for the world I want to live in.
Just so you know, I do more than discover the disappointments of wheat-free alternatives at work. In fact, sometimes I find myself downright inspired…and it’s not all about food. The other day, for example, as I was garnishing the north African potato soup with some fresh cilantro, I heard the intercom click, “DELI, line one; deli, line ONE.” I wiped my hand on my apron and picked up the phone. “this is Amy in the deli, how can I help you?”
A woman stuttered on the other side of the connection. “Hi,” she finally opened, “I was in there the other day, you see, I live in Cortez and I came there to shop, and I had lunch in the deli, and then, when I got home, I found my deli ticket in my purse! I just can’t clear my conscience about it! I feel so bad! What can I do? Can I send you a check?”
Since I don’t work at the counter, it took me a second to figure out what she was saying, but then it clicked. She’d ordered food from the deli, ate it, and then left without paying for it. I quickly moved into problem-solving mode. “Well, will you be back in town soon?”
"Yes," she responded, sounding somewhat relieved already, just to have had her confession received. “I’m in town fairly frequently.”
“Well then, if you remember, bring in the ticket and you can pay for it the next time you shop here.” And then I laughed, “but it’s all okay…these things happen! I just really appreciate you calling in and telling us about it. Don’t worry, your karma is clear!”
“I’m putting a sticky note in my wallet and reminding myself to pay for this,” she said. “I won’t forget.”
“it’s okay,” I repeated. “Thanks again, really, for owning your slip up. It’s really the most generous thing you could have done. Now, please, have a good day!”
I hung up the phone and smiled. This woman went out of her way to be accountable. I felt warm with excitement. There’s one more person practicing for the world I want to live in.
posted by amy at
7:34 PM
1 Comments:
Your photography is awesome and your commentary so insightful. You have developed so many of your wonderful talents. As an aside, we tend to remember the people who don't enjoy the "good karma" ... but be confident they greatly outnumber those without such benefit. Everyone calls it something different ... I call mine faith. Blessings, Ann in N'Augusta
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home