First off let me say that I live in a
very diverse community with people from all over the world that I work with, know & get along with just about everyone. I have family that is from many parts of the country but I have never in my life witnessed such small minded self absorbed commentary as what I heard today.
So about noon I'm in Tractor Supply, it's busier than I have ever seen, when from half way across the store I hear a loud shrill female say "
Is this on Sale?". I think to myself "Some People". I am a particularly quite person and loud obnoxious people stand out to me. I go about my business & keep hearing this shrill voice everywhere I go but never see the source. Finally I get in the one open checkout line behind about 3-groups, after a couple of minutes a second cashier shows up and invites folks to move to his lane and a couple of guys from the back move over. WELL it just so happens that the female shrieker is directly behind me & I hear, "
Guess it doesn't matter that we were here first bla bla bla bla so much for Southern Hospitality bla bla bla bla." To say this was getting on my nerves a little would be an understatement but I just stood there quietly. As luck would have it the good ole boy just in front of me was returning a few items...for cash...which added to the complexity of the transaction including calling & waiting for a manager to approve. The whole time this rattle-trap is going on & on about stupid this & that & "
We should take them back North with us & show them how it's done." OK I'd had enough, all the pleasant southern folk, I assume, are standing in the same line not complaining to anybody, I had observed nothing out of the ordinary other than a much busier store than usual, so I turn around.....There stands this 30ish 5-ft nothing 200+lb gal dressed like she had been gardening & a skinny little dude maybe 5'5" 135-lb that she is obviously with.
So I politely say in my best Southern drawl "
You folks not from around here? She replies "
No we're nOT from AluhbAHmu."
I say "
Well you say Alabama just like a native. Are you from Chicago? You sound like the Dahmn Yankees I grew up with."
"
No we're from New York."
"
I've never had the pleasure of meeting anyone from New York City"
"
We don't live in the city"
"
Well I know some folks from New Jersy"
"
No that's tOEtally different " rolling her eyes.
About then the cashier was ready for me but I can hear her still chattering at her husband, who has never said a word the whole time that I could tell. So just as I finish my transaction I look back & say "
Yawll enjoy your trip back to New York."
"
Unfortunately were not going back."
As I'm turning to walk away "
I AIN'T keeping you here."