Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I snuck out at lunch hour to pick up some groceries so had very limited time. I had made a list and was going to pick up only those items.

When I entered, I noticed the store was pretty empty and heaved a huge sigh...now to grab the essentials and pay and be back within an hour.

Had my watch on which I glanced at occasionally and was making good time....found a line with only one people ahead of me and started dumping my goods on the conveyer belt to be rung up....

There were limited cashiers, maybe three open and one was the "15 items of less" option (not me) and I noticed only one bagger.

The woman ahead of me was sighing as the cashier had to bag the goods after ringing up her purchases  (slowing her down) and by this time there was a good 3 people behind me....

My turn, I gave the cashier a big smile but she was distracted immediately grabbing items to run through the scan as quick as possible to shorten the line. Customers were waiting (there was sighs and a woman behind me was rumbling under her breath). The cashier sighed and looked stressed.

She paged for more cashiers...no one  came. She paged again....no one answered...she paged a 3rd time for a bagger....none came. Another sigh escaped her lips....

OK, I said to myself, you were a cashier in your youth and understand how this poor one is feeling....bag your own groceries while she is ringing up...

I called out as I opened a bag,  "I'll bag while you finish ringing up, OK?"    Ah, there was a smile! " "Sure...that would be great ", she replied.

I was done just as she was completing her end and lifting the bags into my cart....I paid. She turned again as I was leaving., "Thanks again for helping out and for your patience".  Another smile and she was looking me in the eyes!!

I left for work happier than when I set out....making a mental note to be more understanding and patient every day....I had just made her day and mine!