‘Were you getting any exams results these past few weeks?’ asked the butcher
‘No, (with an exasperated tone because it’s not the first, second or even third time I’ve been asked that recently!!!) I’m going into final year at uni!’ I replied
‘Oh! (slightly embarrassed but lets keep the conversation going! GR!) what are you studying?’ continued the butcher,
‘Music,’ I sighed
‘Oh, what do you play?’ questioned the butcher,
‘The Flute,’ I said
‘Oh, not that piano?’ he asked
‘No’…(thinking to myself…’I would have said the freaking piano if i played the freaking piano!!!’) I mumbled
‘What are you going to do after you finish uni?’ he asked
‘I don’t know!’ I replied
‘Will you teach?’ he ASSUMED!
Getting angry now...’I DON’T KNOW!!!’ (again thinking to myself…’I would have said teach if I was thinking of teaching.’) I replied!
End of conversation!
This has been the most common conversation I’ve been having over the past few weeks and I need a little rant! Firstly…do I look like I’m still in school, doing GSCEs or Alevels? Secondly, WHY does the world expect students to get a job as soon as they finish uni? Thirdly, WHY is teaching always the first thing people think about? Fourthly, I’d much rather make small talk about the weather!
This is something that’s annoyed me for years! People ASSUME!!
Seriously, don’t say anything!! A nice pleasant trip to the butchers would be topped off perfectly if butcher men just sold you your goods and let you go on your way! If you go to a supermarket to buy cooked ham, you don’t expect the Spanish inquisition! Yes, there’s no denying that it’s the checkout staff’s job to give good customer service, but sense the tone people!! If not much eye contact is made, that’s generally a good indication that the customer is not in the form to make small talk about their freaking life plan!!!!
I know this because I worked in a supermarket for FOUR years and I got pretty good at knowing how to tell if a customer wanted to talk or not! Generally they volunteer to start the conversation! A simple hello to the customers helps you decide a lot!!
Sorry for the rant, but this has been the height my of day!! GRRR!!
