Tale of a strange encounter

Date: July 3, 2009

Location: Kroger, Oxford, MS

Details of strange encounter:

So I had to run to the store on Friday for our 4th of July cookout. Unfortunately, because of the surgery, I'm not allowed to lift anything for two weeks. I had to buy a case of coke and charcoal, both of which are too heavy for me to life & put in the cart.

Thankfully, Kroger was awesome and had basically every employee they've ever hired in the store. I found a few people spread around the store to help load my cart.

As I was checking out, I nicely asked the bag boy if he wouldn't mind helping me out to my car. They were slammed with people, so I knew it probably wasn't the nicest thing for me to take him away from the customers behind me. I quickly explained the situation, and he agreed.

We walk out to the car, and he sees the back of my shirt (it was an Oxford Middle School shirt).

Then he says, "Well, I'm guessing you're not in middle school...but you look really young."

Yup, probably a good guess. I mean, I am driving my own car. And there's the little matter of my wedding ring.

But I guess high school boys aren't that observant.

He's asking me questions, obviously trying to figure out my age. I'm not one of those that have a problem telling my age. So I end the suspense and tell him I'm 26.

To which he replied, "No way! I mean, I thought maybe 20, 21 tops. Wow! You look really young."

I thanked him, and told him it is always nice for people to think you are younger than you actually are.

Then the strange part happened. (And you thought I'd already told you ;-) )

He asked if I needed him to go home with me to unload the groceries. Um, no. I'm good, thanks though. He said people ask all the time. What!?

I didn't want to ask, but, well, how would that even work? Obviously, I kindly told him my husband was waiting at home to help. How bizarre! Do they really do that?

And, if you're wondering, I forgot to tip him. He probably thought that whole, "You look 21!" stuff landed him a big wad of cash. Yeah, sorry buddy. Slipped my mind. I was thrown off by your offer to come home with me. Maybe next time, try one or the other to ensure a good tip. Both might just make the poor lady's head spin like it did mine.

But thanks for trying!