I had a bad attack of internal rage today.
Apart from a bit of snippiness - which the subject of my rage quite possibly didn't notice - I managed to keep it to myself.
I work in an office close to the high street of a small town. Every lunchtime I walk into town to buy my lunch and take it back to the office.
On my way back, I go into the newsagent to buy a newspaper and a flake.
The shop assistant is murderous-thought inducingly annoying. She is the kind of person who speaks to her elderly customers in a higher than usual sing-sing voice and seems to think that a bit of patronising chit-chat should be part of the service.
My annoyance started to accelerate a few weeks ago. I had bought a sausage roll from Greggs before I went into the newsagent.
"Oooo! That smells nice, what are we having for lunch today?" She asked.
I decided to ignore her question and paid for my paper and flake.
A few days ago, the weather was colder than had been forecast (unfortunately, the heatwave everyone else seems to be getting has passed us by). It was cold and windy and I wasn't wearing a jacket or cardigan.
"Oooo! Aren't you cold dressed like that?" She asked.
I ignored her question and paid for my paper and flake.
Yesterday, I put my paper and flake on the counter and waited to pay. As she picked up my flake, she said:
"Oooo! You really love these, don't you? You'll look like one soon if you aren't careful"
Am I unreasonable to expect a shop assistant to respect my privacy, not to quiz me on what I am having for lunch, comment on what I am wearing or what I am buying?
I don't mind a quick "It's a lovely day today" type of interaction, but all I actually want from her is quick and efficient service.