How Would You Handle This?

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At an inservice at work recently on Healthy Relating/Communicating, we were given an example of human behavior and asked how we'd respond.

The scenario was: You are on line at a very busy store pre-Christmas, where you just spent 2 hours getting gifts for almost everyone on your list. You have racked up a hefty bill but you are feeling good about being almost done with your shopping and you think everyone will really like what you've chosen for them. On the downside, you've been on line for 15 minutes, you really need to use the restroom, you're late to get your kids, and you just are dying to get out of the store. All of a sudden, another shopper literally crashes his cart into yours and ends up cutting in line ahead of you. He does not apologize, his cart is piled twice as high as yours, and you are asked now for your response.:devil::madface::uhoh21::idea::o;):uhoh3::lol2::down:

Search your cart for the actual wood--no aluminum, please--Louisville Slugger Alex Rodriguez model bat you purchased for one of your family members. Remember to step into the swing.............:lol2:

A bit more seriously, as a practical matter all that stuff about assertive communication is probably 99% assured to fail in this situation. The individual who cut in line is aware of the anger and frustration his action will engender in those he's cutting in front of, and he doesn't care. Physical force is probably the only thing that will get him to the back of the line. Unless you're mentally and physically prepared to go that route, you're likely not going to reclaim your rightful place.

OTOH, he'd be a good person to guard your place in line, right behind him, while you go the the bathroom.

Sometimes you just have to make the best of the hand you're dealt. Life is stud, not draw poker.

OOOHHH, that is a super suggestion! The place-holding, I mean. I like that! :idea::lol2::idea:

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All of these are really great responses! Truly.

In class, people were saying they'd holler for the manager or they'd confront him directly. Then someone said she would figure maybe she was being given an opportunity to avoid some danger of the road, which she'd miss by having to be off the road longer. Someone else she'd ask the crasher if maybe he hadn't seen her, like maybe she was invisible. The more I thought about this, the more I figured maybe this was a Psych patient off of his meds or some totally stressed human being who has lousy eyesight - no peripheral vision, you know?

Then I wondered if said lovely person might have a weapon and be inclined to use it and maybe it would be best to just let it go.

Of course, maybe one could just say to him, "Are you ok?" Because maybe he is sick.

Or, just abandon one's cart, go pee, go get the kids, and dont give any gifts that year, LOL - or maybe some nice, easy to buy gift certificates and everyone can get their own gifts.

The one thing I hope I would not do is be angrily confrontational. I might ask the person if he's alright and ask why he did that, but in a nice way. Or maybe thank him for making my dull life more exciting by giving me this new mystery to ponder and then ask why he'd done it. Or tell him it's so nice to meet him, sorry it's in this setting, blah, blah, blah. But no anger, no confrontation.

How about, "Hey, I remember you. Weren't you Dick the Bruiser back in the 60's?" He was a wrestler for anyone who doesn't know.

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similar events have happened to me.

i simply take the cart, and remove it from the line...

followed by a steady gaze and a, "don't even think of it".

that's all it takes.

leslie

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similar events have happened to me.

i simply take the cart, and remove it from the line...

followed by a steady gaze and a, "don't even think of it".

that's all it takes.

leslie

In my younger years, I would have done that, too. Now, though, I wonder what the heck is behind this behavior, is the person armed, all that stuff.

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Specializes in neuro, med/surg/, cardiac care.

Hip check buddy and his cart out of line, oops sorry i must have tripped (in my usual 4inch shopping boots of course), then give him the "tammy look" which would undoubtedly scare him and his gifts rights out of the mall.

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

my dear sweet darling creature...

you must be mistaken...

yall must just gotta line up behind me ...

OR ELSE :trout:

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Specializes in Med/surg,Tele,PACU,ER,ICU,LTAC,HH,Neuro.

Okay, I am in retail ATM.

I am also Blonde and single.

I am now an old maid and I don't really care if he has a gun.

I have been shopping all day.....and ...

I GOTTA PEE AND I GOTTA PEE BAD....

You say you won't be confrontational???

Well being blonde with POOR bladder control, I would do just what Leslie did and move his cart and say,

'Sorry if I am invisible but I AM HERE FIRST ( and would have the GET BEHIND ME NOW SATAN look on my face)"

If he tries to get back in line I would promptly interrupt the cashier in her transaction and ask for LP and the manager asap.

(LP= Loss Prevention is retail security....BTW).

I would demand the service that was due me... and to be taken care of before this rude individual.

IF NOT..

sadly

because I AM blonde and have poor bladder control.

I would self destructively RUIN MY HOLIDAY ...

leave that store never to return again....

no matter how great the deals were....

no matter how great the products were...

Then I would go home and cry and change my mind because my bladder is now empty and schedule to redo my shopping on my next day off....sigh.

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Considering this is a work-related exercise, the correct response would be to immediately pay for the intruder's purchases, wrap all their gifts (don't forget the hand-made bows and cards!), then carry them to their car as they sip on a soothing cup of hot cinnamon tea.

But as they drive off, don't forget to thank them for allowing you to serve their every whim, lest you have points taken off your final grade.

Too funny but you forgot to ask them if there was anything else you could do for them because you have the time.:lol2:

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Too funny but you forgot to ask them if there was anything else you could do for them because you have the time.:lol2:

Damn!!!

Oh well. There goes my raise for the year...

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