Friday Night: A 6-Pack + A Young Man=A Whole Lot of Laughter…Hmmm

OK, so before you all start wondering if I’ve gone off the deep end, the title implies one thing, however the true experience of my Friday night was all in good clean fun. Please grab a tissue (to wipe away your tears of laughter) and read on my friends. This is hysterical!

Last night my hubby and I went shopping at a well known shopping center to join in the hustle and bustle of the holiday crowds. Little did we know that this shopping experience was going to turn into comedy central with a 6-pack, a young man and a whole lot of laughter. As we made our way to the checkout we found ourselves in front of a very quiet, somber young man, who not only seemed drained by the holiday crowds, but who also appeared to be having a hard time focusing in general.

As this young man was approaching the completion of scanning the items we were to purchase, he came upon the 6-pack bottles of Mountain Dew (my hubby’s fave) which was priced at $3.98. The entire time each item is being scanned, I keep my eyes on the tally and make sure everything is priced correctly. Then the checker continues to scan the 6 pack of Mountain Dew 6 times. That is $3.98 X 6.

With a puzzled look on my face I said, “Ummm…do you mind me asking why you are charging us 6 times for the 6 pack of Mountain Dew”?

With much confidence, (the words he spoke next found a place in my funny bone that I wasn’t quite sure I could hold back). He said, “yes, it’s because you have 6 bottles in a 6 pack and we need to charge you 6 times”. (trying very hard not to laugh)

Now, I have to tell you, out of respect for the tired young man I held back my laugh. However, the quiet one, my hubby let out a giggle and the lady standing behind me started laughing loudly. I had to bite the inside of my cheeks because I didn’t want to make this young man feel bad, but at the same time, do you think I’m paying $3.98 for a bottle of Mountain Dew? No way. (biting the inside of my cheeks really hard to hold back from falling to the ground and laughing hysterically)

So in a calm voice I said, “I’m sorry, but the point of the 6 pack is just that, a 6 pack. It should be charged as 1 item, we aren’t buying 6 separate bottles."

He just looked at the bottles, as if he was going on the deepest mind settling adventure ever and said, “no, see there are 6 bottles, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6”. (oh my gosh, I'm falling, I've hit the ground)

Again trying not to be demeaning I said, “you see that plastic strap surrounding the bottles? That means it’s being sold as a 6 pack.”

Then he just looked at the bottles, took a step back, turned his head to look for another employee to help him and said “oh, I get it! They’re being sold together”. Then he proceeded to back off the additional charges of the receipt.

Now no disrespect here, but that must have been a very profound mind altering experience for him. I’m so glad that I was able to make a difference for this young man.

Laughter is the corrective force which prevents us from becoming cranks. ~Henry Bergson

Although this young man can't click the rewind button and change what he said or fast forward hoping that we all didn't pay much attention to his lack of understanding a 6-pack. Most importantly we all need to step back and take a look at how we handle these situations in our lives. I choose not to be cranky over something so silly. Any opportunity to take in a good laugh is one that I treasure. Ahhh...the tranquility of a good laugh.

I hope you all enjoy your holiday season and remember the little stuff is just little and if you attach a good belly laugh to it, that little stuff actually will seem all worthwhile.

Written and Posted By: Julie Neerings, GRI- Heart of Utah Real Estate Copyright © 2007- Julie Neerings, GRI
Julie Neerings, Exit Realty Unlimited, is a Utah Realtor® who specializes along the Wasatch Front, from Ogden to Provo. To find out more information about her real estate services please visit her profile . You are welcome to contact her by phone at 801-859-9381/801-506-0305 or by email at JulieNeerings@yahoo.com . You can click to view her listings or visit her website. Thank you for your visit.

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