Pettiness Because of an Apple

[dotinthesky]

I'm waiting in line at a fruit stall, near St James' Tube station. I want to buy an apple. There's a sign right beside the apples that says "please do not touch". But I'm buying the apple, so surely I can pick it up and pay for it?

I reach out to touch it but the old man stops me with a shout: "can't you read?" he grunts, pointing at the sign. "Do. Not. Touch. Some people..." He gets a giggle from the two other girls in line.

I leave because I'm not in the habit of buying anything from people who are rude to me.

Across the way is a sandwich bar. I buy a tuna sandwich and an apple (priced the same as outside). On my way back, the old man is by himself. He sees me coming and pretends to look at his watch. But he can't resist a second look, a mocking smile on his face. Then he catches the red apple in my hand, which I slowly raise and casually place inside my bag just as I walk past him.

Comments

[olamina.livejournal.com]

I was in Croydon with my cousin at the market there and I reached for something when she said "No, no they don't let you touch anything."

I assumed it was some British thing I didnt know about...

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I've never experienced it before here, or even knew they did it. Fair enough, he doesn't want people to browse what someone else will eat - but can't he make an exception if the person is buying it for themselves? Good manners go a long way, and crappy attitudes fuck your business (at least I hope).

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

oooh BURN!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Or at least go bankrupt!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

I would have said, "Well I was going to purchase one, but never mind now!"

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I was going to say something too, but then thought he probably had something lined as a reply for that too. The apple from the shop was a spur of the moment thing which I think worked better, because it was a silent fuck you from me to him.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

True, that was nice and timely.

[rag-and-bone.livejournal.com]

what a jerk. is he supposed to choose your apple for you? where's the fun in that?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

You are supposed to point at it, and he's supposed to pick it up with his paws for you.

[sublimevisions.livejournal.com]

it's not hateful as long as the lesson wasn't lost on him.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I don't think it made enough of an impact to change him. For that, he'd need a good kicking.

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

And what, precisely, were you doing 5 minutes round the corner from my work and not suggesting lunch?

[(Anonymous)]

I'll be here tomorrow! Where do you want to do me?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

That anonymous person was me... ops! :-P

[moral-vacuum.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I'm only doing a couple of hours in the office tomorrow, then running straight home to drive off to the cotswolds (I originally had the day off but Things intervened). So if you're around here on another date, we should Plan.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Alright! :-)

[naturalbornkaos.livejournal.com]

I hope you got away with it.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

We'll see what he says tomorrow if he sees me...

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

maybe he just thought you were ugly

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

No, I don't think he thought my name was Frankee.

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

dont gotta get snippy, i was just sayin.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Sorry Frankee, I was in a bitchy mood yesterday.

[(Anonymous)]

you on the rag?

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

that was me.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I was. When we meet, I'll let you have some tea with my dunked rag.

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

When we meet? you seen rather confident.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

You are right; we won't meet because by the time you get here, I'll be in Canada.

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

or because I won't call you.

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

That would be a blessing in disguise. I hate talking on the phone.

[frankeecymraeg.livejournal.com]

sorted then.

[iejw.livejournal.com]

Oh my god!

a) I’m so excited about finding a neighbour – almost everyone on my friends list is American, and

b) I work just round the corner from that stall! I loathe that man. He’s instensly rude, and I refuse to buy over-priced fruit if I can’t pick it up and see if it’s in good condition! I rant about him regularly!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

What a strange coincidence! Next we'll be finding out we were related in a past life. ;-)

(I'm glad you don't buy anything from that asshole!)

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I think he gets a kick from being a jerk.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

right up your alley (http://community.livejournal.com/_fake_ljers/profile).

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

I used to be a member of fake_lj_death, but then got tired of following all the convoluted plot lines!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

I thought you'd been on one or other of those.


Hey, would you like me to return The Night Watch to you or pass it on to some other needy soul?

P.S. It's snowing! Real snow! Since last night and it's still going!

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Sure, pass it on to someone else whom you think would like it!

Am jealous of your snow; we didn't get any this year!

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

Aw, I'm sorry! DOes it snow terribly often in England?

[commonpeople.livejournal.com]

Only towards the north. Because of pollution/heat in London, it rarely snows here.

[desayuno-ingles.livejournal.com]

What a shame. It snowed here somewhat early then just didn't for ages and ages. It's so nice and quiet when it snows. I'm going out in it now to have the first roll of film from the Diana+ developed!