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takethisforexampleA week or so ago I was in a really good mood. It was a nice day and I had some errands to run, so I was out in Galloway blasting my music and enjoying my day.
Someone once told me my happiness is contagious, and I guess maybe it is for some people. I've definitely met folks who don't entertain the same playfulness, but once in awhile I'll find myself sharing some interesting experience with a stranger. Honestly, I think it's just because my voice is expressive. Maybe I seem easily approachable when I'm in a good mood. I sure hope so.
Anyways, I went to get gas the other day at the local chainless gas station because it has the lowest prices at the moment. $4.01 a gallon last week when I was there, and now they are down to $3.97. The place was packed, cars waiting in a line and gas attendants frantic because, well... that's Jersey. I rolled up and fiddled with my music and began singing along to something I forget until one of the attendants came up to serve me. He was older, in his 50s or early 60s, and had a grizzled gray face. He kind of looked like a lumberjack or a person from a fantasy game. And after he took my card and I told him the usual, "fillerupregular please thank you", he came back and just asked me on the spot:
"How many miserable people do you think there are?"
I kinda laughed at first because it caught me off guard.
"You mean just in general? Or..."
"Just here."
Odd question. I turned it over in my head a bit and thought back to my experience in service positions. I couldn't tell you how many miserable people there are in New Jersey. Probably a lot. Especially when they have to buy gas and are in a hurry. The road culture is one of the worst things about this state. A lot of people are always in a rush.
"I'd say it's like 50/50."
Then he looked me dead in the eyes and said,
"Here it's more like 20/80."
I'm not really sure why he asked me that. Maybe just to express frustration with the nature of such jobs. We talked and laughed a little more about I forget what until my tank was full. I was surprised he stuck around considering the place was so busy, but it was just one of those things. One of those things that sticks with me until I finally write about it. I don't know.
Someone once told me my happiness is contagious, and I guess maybe it is for some people. I've definitely met folks who don't entertain the same playfulness, but once in awhile I'll find myself sharing some interesting experience with a stranger. Honestly, I think it's just because my voice is expressive. Maybe I seem easily approachable when I'm in a good mood. I sure hope so.
Anyways, I went to get gas the other day at the local chainless gas station because it has the lowest prices at the moment. $4.01 a gallon last week when I was there, and now they are down to $3.97. The place was packed, cars waiting in a line and gas attendants frantic because, well... that's Jersey. I rolled up and fiddled with my music and began singing along to something I forget until one of the attendants came up to serve me. He was older, in his 50s or early 60s, and had a grizzled gray face. He kind of looked like a lumberjack or a person from a fantasy game. And after he took my card and I told him the usual, "fillerupregular please thank you", he came back and just asked me on the spot:
"How many miserable people do you think there are?"
I kinda laughed at first because it caught me off guard.
"You mean just in general? Or..."
"Just here."
Odd question. I turned it over in my head a bit and thought back to my experience in service positions. I couldn't tell you how many miserable people there are in New Jersey. Probably a lot. Especially when they have to buy gas and are in a hurry. The road culture is one of the worst things about this state. A lot of people are always in a rush.
"I'd say it's like 50/50."
Then he looked me dead in the eyes and said,
"Here it's more like 20/80."
I'm not really sure why he asked me that. Maybe just to express frustration with the nature of such jobs. We talked and laughed a little more about I forget what until my tank was full. I was surprised he stuck around considering the place was so busy, but it was just one of those things. One of those things that sticks with me until I finally write about it. I don't know.
no subject
Date: 2022-04-21 11:12 am (UTC)