Are You Going to Tolerate That?

Providing service at a teller window

Tolerance is not only a word I spell incorrectly about 80% of the time, it’s also an idea that’s very hard to execute for some people.

I’ve spent a majority of the summer in a very beautiful part of the country. This area is well outside my normal routine and life – not only geographically, but culturally. The people at the grocery store are very quick to tell you what kind of lousy day they’re having. “Oh, you brought your own bags? Great.” All said sarcastically. The lady at the convenience store greets me with a growly, “What the hell do you want?” while continuing her conversation with another person about some guy that apparently she didn’t like in high school. The fishmonger only half-smiles and points at what you’re asking for. Once I nod my head, he wraps it up and I’m on my way without a word spoken from him. The upside? The haddock was delicious.