Dueling Nice People

I have met many friendly, helpful people in Tucson. Most of the behavior that annoys me has been in traffic. Even that hasn't been as bad this last trip in May. There seems to be less congestion with fewer snowbirds. Last week in Tucson I went to Pier 1 Imports. I got in the check-out line with a couple of people in front of me and a couple behind. The lady being helped had a complicated return, so the checker asked for an additional checker to come open up another lane. When she arrived, I stepped aside so the person in front of me could go to the new lane. She said, "No, that's OK. I'm not in a hurry." I told her I didn't mind and that she was first. We went back and forth a few times, then finally I went first, saying that I appreciated her thoughtfulness. I remembered an old saying, "Never deny another person the opportunity to do a good deed."

I was in a grocery store in Kirkland the other day. Two new check-out lanes opened while I was standing in a long line. The people behind me rushed to be helped in the new lanes, ignoring me. I missed Tucson then and the slower pace that I have usually found!