Sometimes a total stranger can give you the giggles.
The other day I was at Walmart for my grocery pick up. This is a service I really appreciate. I don't rely on it for all my groceries as I still like to pick out my own produce and fruits. For most things however, it's wonderful.
I had arrived as scheduled and had called in my location. Then I waited the few minutes it usually takes. There was one other car there with a young man looking very bored behind the wheel of a 2 door sedan.
Then from around the corner of the building came the familiar blue crates being towed to the pick up area. There were two employees towing two vastly different loads. One of them was struggling. The crates were stacked higher than him and the cart wheels looked like they were about to give out.
A woman was behind him with a smaller load but it looked like they were all for the same person. I looked around for the semi that was here to pick them up. Nope, just me and the bored young man.
This was not an accurate representation but the closest picture I could find on the internet. Doubling that load would be about right.
They both stopped. The trailing lady approached my vehicle. Per usual, she asked my name. When I told her, without skipping a beat she pointed to the huge stack and said,"Ok, that one is yours."
When I grabbed my heart in horror she broke out laughing. "Just kidding," she said indicating the small load was mine. I started laughing also and told her I was about to send her back inside for a defibrillator.
"That was a good one." I told her. She really had me.
I was tempted to stay just to see how they loaded all those crates in the two door car with the bored young man but I happily took my small load home with a relieved smile on my face.
Ever have a total stranger pull a prank on you?
Ha, ha! That woman had a cute sense of humour! A couple of years ago, I was renewing my driving licence and took a numbered ticket for my turn in line. There were people ahead of me when a tall man walked in and also took a ticket. He asked what number I had and then told me his number, which was smaller than mine. Astonished, I said, "What!?!" He grinned and showed me his real number. That little tease from a stranger made my day!
ReplyDeleteFlorence,
DeleteHa ha what a rascal he was. I think it is often the unexpected tease from a perfection stranger that is so darn funny. They catch us off balance.
Not that I recall...but the prank was a good one. After they revived me, we could all get a good laugh!!
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteMaybe it is the relief when we realize it was all a joke that is so darn funny.
Well, it's good to hear some people still have a sense of humor! I enjoyed your story Patti (and I liked Florence's too). Just a couple days ago, I went downstairs to the exercise room and there was a young man down there jogging on one of the treadmills. I nodded at him, he nodded back and I asked him if he'd mind if I turned on the TV on the wall. He stopped his jog and said he was in training for a triathlon and would I mind if he used all the machines in the room. I stood there with my mouth hanging open, there's eight machines in there! Then he laughed and told me he was just kidding, go ahead and turn the TV on. I gotta be honest, I was a little bugged at first! But I had a chuckle about it later on. 🙂
ReplyDeleteDoug,
DeleteHa ha, I think he used enough attitude to really pull it off. Glad you got the humor which I'm sure he was going for.
Those young people bringing out our groceries need to have a sense of humor. We cannot tip them but I am always careful to get their names and enter a good comment about them. Are you allowed to tip? They tell me if they are seen accepting a tip they will be fired on the spot.
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
DeleteNo, they aren't allowed tips and almost seem fearful of them. I always compliment them on the job they do and even when in the store and see them filling the crates, I compliment them. They really seem to love it when I do. Good idea to get their names an leave the compliment in a review. I will do that now.
No, I don't remember ever having someone pull a prank like that. It was very funny, and I'm glad you both had a good laugh and great sense of humor.
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteSure glad she laughed and set the tone for my first thought was how to correct this mess. Think my laughter was part relief.
I can't recall ayone doing that to me - perhaps it's my resting b*tch face that stops them from doing so.
ReplyDeleteI did, however, do something like that to a one of the guys delivering my new stove to the house recently. I can't recall what I said to him, but his partner laughed. He did too, after his initial shock. :)
Eileen,
DeleteAh ah, see there is a tease in you also. Wonder if he blogged about it:))
I would have had a heart attack, too! Oh my! We take advantage of curbside pick up, too. It's great for people with arthritis -- like me and David.
ReplyDeletegigi,
DeleteI was sweating thinking how to straighten out the obvious error so I was hugely relieved that it was a joke. She let me know right away which was thoughtful.
I can't remember a stranger pulling a prank on me. But my friends have had many a laugh at my expense. As they say, with friends like that ...
ReplyDeleteTom,
DeleteYou must be an easy mark but a great sport if they keep doing it. In my books, that is a sign they really like you.
No. But my husband did it all the time. He was at a customers home to refinish her tub. It was a worn out white tub. He made it look like a new white tub. Then he walked out to the homeowner and said he was done, would you like to come see the new pink tub? It looks fabulous. The woman gasped and put her hand to her chest and said, NOoooo. It was to be white. She ran down the hall past Rick. Then she hit him! He deserved it. She told him she almost had a heart attack. She actually called our office laughing and to tell me he did that and she said boy he gave me a scare, he's a real prankster isn't he? Oh she has no idea!
ReplyDeletePeg,
DeleteOMG Rick, good thing she only punched you:) Seriously I might have really needed the defibrillator after that. You have married a real tease:)
We use Walmart curbside pickup also. Started it during the pandemic and love it. We do tip... (leave a $5 bill in the back with a 'thank you'note attached). No one's ever said you couldn't tip...
ReplyDeleteBut I can't think of any pranks people have pulled on us. Surely I can think of some things that people have said that made me laugh (or vice versa), but don't recall at the moment.
Rian,
DeleteI have offered tips here but they said they are not allowed and are only doing the job they are paid for. One guy said he would be afraid to take one for fear he was being tested.
That was a good one. I had a waitress make me laugh recently but I forgot what she said. I have been dwelling on it all morning but her words elude me. I remember it was bold of her to say but cracked us up and I knew she must be a good read of people to use it on us.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteDon't ya hate it when something like that leaves your mind? Usually for me, I will wake up in the wee hours at night and it will come to me then. If it does come to you, blog about it. Sounds like it would make a cute post.
This was a fun post and comment section to read. Thanks for the smiles and laughs.
ReplyDeleteJean,
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed, I know I did.
I would automatically think that I had somehow misordered--100 of each item instead of one. :) I've been known to not look carefully at the quantity of the items I order for pick up.
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI wasn't sure who goofed but I knew it would take forever to straighten out. Was delighted that it was just a prank.
I don't use pickup but it seems a lot of people do. Surely something like that has happened to me but nothing comes to mind. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
DeleteIt is so convenient that I will use it as long as they provide the service. If one comes to you, blog about it.
Oh, it's good to laugh!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteWhat great medicine it is and also an attitude adjuster. My favorite thing to do.
Nothing like you saw but the last time I was in Walmarts I was trying to figure out which type of chips would be best with an avacado dip and this nice young man said "you look confused". I told him what I wanted and he picked up one I'd never heard of and said..."It's the best of what they have here and if you don't like my choice I will personally give you your money back. Oh, and just give me your address in case that happens."
ReplyDeleteI did take the chips but just smiled and scooted out of there !
Ginnie,
DeleteOh my, I was thinking what a nice young man till he wanted your address.
Were the chips as good as he said?
I have never had a total stranger pull a prank on me. That was a good one though.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI thought so too and had to tell her I thought it was a good one. Quick on her feet.
That's funny. No, I can't remember being pranked by a stranger. It's been a long time since anyone actually tried. Except Faith, who pranks me when I can't remember if I fed her or not.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteHa ha, bet she tries to talk you into an extra feeding. I know Callie does.
At least she wasn't a crabby lady with a "I hate my job" attitude, lol.💖
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteShe is obviously a girl that enjoys her work. I know the shared laugh brightened my day.
I was in the hospital down in Florida and a guy came in to take my bloodwork. He and I could not communicate well as his language was not English and my language was well, not his. He managed to take the blood, but as he was leaving he turned around and said, "I have to take your blood again!" The look on my face must have been something because he quickly said, "Just kidding!" Not sure I found it very funny at the time, but I can laugh about it now.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteYikes. Those kinds of pranks sometimes need a bit of time before we get the humor but in retrospect, it was funny what he did.
That was funny but glad you didn't have a heart attack. I can't recall a stranger joking me that way.
ReplyDeleteJoared,
DeleteMe too. Fortunately she started laughing right away so I wasn't left hanging.
Hi Patti-Due to my ignorance about my blogging site, I didn't realize that typepad has a spam folder for comments. I was horrified when I discovered that many comments (including yours) were in there and have published them. I now know to check the spam folder because it's not only spam that goes into it. So sorry about that! I feel stupid. :(
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
DeleteI spent a good portion of yesterday trying to connect with your blog. It declared me invalid and would not accept my comment. Then I tried again to add you to my reading list but nothing. Don't feel stupid, I don't. Typepad and Blogger just don't like eachother. I will keep trying though. It has become a challenge.
Your two comments did post--in my spam folder. I fetched them out so they are now published. Yay! Thank you for persisting. Typepad tells me that by publishing the ones that aren't spam, I'm training that utility to differentiate. I'm distrustful of that so I'll continue to check in there every day! (now that I'm aware of the issue)
DeleteOh yes... I'm sure I've been joked with. It happens in Hawaii. Not on the mainland though. You obviously look like the sort of good natured person who will laugh at a joke, Patti. :-) I'm glad it didn't give you a heart attack though.
ReplyDeleteKay,
DeleteDon't know if I look good natured with the masks and all or maybe just harmless. Her quick laughter kept it from being really scary and just fun.
Collecting a lot like you describe would scare anyone. I sometimes have huge loads but they are all delivered to my house and all I have to do is put them in fridge and freezer and larder.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately that means that nobody ever plays that kind of prank on me; I'd love to have my leg pulled at this lonesome time.
Friko,
DeleteWish I could get delivery but I live too far from town.
It really was nice during this time when the masks hide the smiles. It was being noticed and I liked it.
Great that you could have a laugh with the young woman! Yes, having a huge order mistake would set my heart accelerating. Glad she fessed up right away. I'm trying to remember a prank by a stranger. I think I've played some, but don't know if I've ever been on the receiving end.
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteIt really did brighten a pretty boring day and am sure it put some fun in her day also.
Yes! And the shared hilarity was heartwarming. If someone is willing to tease or joke with you, they are really seeing you and acknowledging your existence. Quite a spirit booster for this old lady!
ReplyDeleteHaha. I know Walmart isn't loved by many Americans but I've always found the staff in the ones I go to very friendly and helpful. Or maybe it's just in comparison with the surly staff I deal with in many UK stores.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish you had stayed to see the car loaded up. Then you should have followed him home and watch him try to unload. I am rolling on the floor laughing at the thought.
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, Hardly anyone has ever pulled a prank on me. A classmate did it my senior year and I ended up hitting the floor pretty hard, which pretty well ended our friendship. My mom did it once on my birthday, April fools day and I laughed myself silly. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to laugh with you. Thsnks for the wonderful note.
ReplyDelete