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A couple of years ago, we were back from Central Asia visiting family for a few weeks. I went to the grocery store in my husband’s hometown of about 4,000 people.  At the checkout, the checker asked if I wanted to use my ‘Brookshire’s thank you card’. I said, “No thank you. I don’t have one.” She went into her usual spiel about how much I would save today, on future visits etc. I again said, “No thanks.” What? She doesn’t want a thank you card? But everyone has a thank you card. This is so wierd. Maybe she doesn’t understand. Another round, this time more patronizing, trying to convince me of the value of a thank you card. Ears are perking up further down the line. No one can fathom why I wouldn’t want a card. I mean, its one of two grocery stores in town. Everyone has a thank you card. Another customer just couldn’t stand it and let offers for me to borrow theirs. “Ok. I’ll use yours.”  Anything to just get my groceries and go. Finally, to alleviate the stress of all who wanted so badly for me to apply for a card, I let them know that I lived in Central Asia, was only here for  couple of weeks so it didn’t make sense to apply for the card. Case closed. I finished checking out in peace.

I walked out to the car with the high school aged checker who had waited patiently through the whole ordeal. Speaking very slowly and just a little louder than normal said, “Maam, I just want you to know that your English is really good.”

Thank you.

Tags: Brookshires, Central Asia, Culture Shock, Laugh

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