This post is off topic, but I need to vent.

I was shopping at Trader Joe’s earlier and there was an older, well dressed woman talking on her cell phone with her cart parked against the bread shelves so that no one could have access. I waited a few moments and another women with a baby pulled up and exchanged a little “what the heck?” glance and we both waited a bit longer.  The other lady shrugged and went to another area (I guess to return to the bread section when there was easier access.) I finally tapped the women gently on the arm as I thought perhaps she was so engaged in her conversation she didn’t realize she was blocking access.

To my surprise, this well-dressed “professional” women glared at me and told her phone friend that somebody was being impatient and exasperatedly said, “I’ll call you back.”  I thought, “Wow, that was rude.” but figured she would finally get out of the way. Instead, she said to me, “You should take a chill pill, you’ll live longer.”  WHAT?!  She acted as if *I* was being rude by not waiting as long as it may take for her to finish her conversation. 

I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say. I just shook my head and mumbled something lame like, “You have a lot of nerve calling ME rude. You should consider having private conversations in a private area.” She snapped back, “I was talking to someone about the bread!” I told her I didn’t think she was being honest but go ahead and do your thing. Everyone around heard our exchange, a few gave weird looks, but no one said anything to either of us. Finally I walked away and had to return later to get my bread.  It took a minute or two to shrug it off but I eventually just went on with my shopping. I just couldn’t believe that someone her age still acted as though she were the center of the universe. I hope she is not a mom.  Anyway…

Later, as I waited in line to pay, a TJ’s checker came up to me and said I can help you in another aisle, walked me over and opened a new register. Very nice, good service. Courteous even. Then she said, “I heard that woman with her phone - are you OK?” I felt redeemed somehow. She asked me if the woman was still shopping and I said yes, as she was still hovering on her phone (again) this time near the entrance. To my delight, the checker said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.” I’m not sure what she meant but I hope they closed every register that that woman lined up in, or something. That would be great. Make her wait until they are good and ready to let her pay for her “well discussed” bread purchase. Ha!

UPDATE: I tweeted about it and a screenwriter friend wrote back, you should have said, “You’ll live longer if you STEP. ASIDE!” haha. That made me feel better too.

(Source: sdatlarge.com)