Humanity Restored in the Midst of Anger

There are a lot of mean and thoughtless people in the world. These individuals can not only be obnoxious, rude and inconsiderate but they can be tear people apart with their sharp words and hurtful actions.

Unfortunately, many people don’t take a stand against these kind of people…that’s why a story like the one that you are going to read, is a reaffirmation of the goodness of the human spirit…and hopefully, give you courage to stand up against these people when the time comes.

(I am at my regular grocery store at the checkout. The bagger is a sweet man with a mental disability, who is carefully bagging my items.)

Bagger: “You want this one?”

(He holds up one of my canvas bags, which has a hole in it.)

Me: “No, use another. Thanks.”

Woman behind me: “God! Hurry up!”

Me: I just finished paying. He’s fine.”

Woman behind me: “Oh, so you’re slow like him too? God, all you special people need to stop interfering with normal people.”

Bagger: *looks offended* “Ma’am, she’s not not-smart. She goes to (University).” *points to my university logo on my sweatpants* “She’s real smart.”

Me: “And he’s the best bagger here! He’s very careful, ma’am, which is a good thing with groceries.”

(My bags are done. Since he knows I walk back to my dorm, the bagger just hands them to me and helps me shoulder them.)

Woman behind me: “God, he won’t even help you take them to your car? What a delinquent. I want to see a manager about this!”

Me: “I walk, lady. You want to call a manager over something I have intentionally asked him to do many times?”

Bagger: *to me* “Have a nice day!”

Woman behind me: “Retard.”

(The cashier, who hasn’t said a word through the whole thing, looks at the woman calmly.)

Cashier: “Refusal of service for massive discrimination towards a valued employee, as well as a regular customer. You may leave your items here: we’ll shelve them later. Please leave.”

(She instead decides to cause a massive disturbance, eventually breaking a shelf, and needing to be physically restrained while the bagger leads me and another customer behind the cigarette counter for our safety. We have to wait for the police to come.)

Bagger: “Still coming next week?”

Me: “Yep.”

(His smile made me really happy for the rest of the day.)