I get so MAD!

December 13th, 2005 at 07:27pm Posted by Bill

Several years ago, it was my normal routine to stop on the way home from work to refill my 44-ounce plastic cup with Diet Pepsi. As I’ve recounted before, I stop at a place where refills cost $0.69. On one particular occasion, I walked up to the cashier (a young woman in her early twenties), and she announced the price of the refill, with the intonation of a question: “Sixty nine?”

A quick side note: For those unaware, I may very well be losing some of my hearing. This is absolutely true, and is normally no laughing matter, though it does make this particular situation all the more funny.

I didn’t hear her actual words when she spoke the price of the drink, I just heard the change in the pitch of her voice, indicating that she was asking me a question. That, and the general number of syllables she used, made me think that she was asking me something like “Is that all?” I was buying nothing else, so my response to the perceived question was “Yes, please.”

I’ll pause here while you take a moment to re-read her question and my answer.

I paid my $0.69 and went out to my car, wondering why she was looking at me with a look of surprise, embarrasment, and disgust. It wasn’t until I started driving away that I finally figured out why the heck she looked so darn shocked at my answer. Once I realized how embarrased I should be for my mis-interpretation of her question, and my oh-so-wrong response, I laughed myself stupid.

I’ve never gone back inside that store. Now, whenever I happen to drive by, I can’t help but giggle uncontrollably.

Entry Filed under: Memories, Food