On being a curmudgeon
I am a curmudgeon. That’s fine with me. Just over a week ago I went into my local Of—e M-x store to get some art supplies for my Church School Class. A clerk greeted me with these words: “So what brings you to Off—ce M-x today?” I was tempted to say “I need 2lbs of Barbecued Baby Back Ribs”. Instead I fobbed her off with a smile and an off-handed wave. This morning I was at my locale Tar—t store to buy some kitty litter. As we completed the transaction the store clerk said “Have a marvellous afternoon”. I wondered how these words would ring for a customer had recently experienced a terrible tragedy such as the death of family member, or a diagnosis of some dread disease. Some supermarket clerks have been trained by management to ask "Did you find everything you needed?" The other week when asked this question I responded with a firm “NO”. The young clerk was nonplussed until I added “I did not find the meaning of life” Then he gri...