My Compliments

In the checkout line at Walmart, the cashier gave me a compliment which pleased me ridiculously. It reminded me of the best compliment I got all summer.

The Walmart compliment: I know how I like my groceries packed, so when I'm checking out I place on the conveyor belt first my insulated bag, then all my cold things, then my canvas shopping bags, then the remaining groceries grouped for each bag. After checking out my groceries, the cashier said, "You know, I wish everyone would load the belt like you do. It really makes things easier for me." How embarrassing how thrilled I was!

The best compliment of the summer: I was driving my mother and two daughters across the state to visit my sister and her family. We picked up lunch on the way at a McDonald's drive-thru. I placed my order* at the menu board, then drove to the first window. As I handed the clerk my money, she said, "Wow! You gave the best order! I didn't have to ask any questions. You really did that well!" Driving to the second window, my mom said, "She sure went on and on about that," which proves that I am, in fact, an impressive orderer. I was so proud that, for the rest of the weekend whenever I wanted a boost, I'd replay my order in my head. We stopped at a different McDonald's on the way home. I felt a bit cocky when my turn came. And I blew it! I believe that's called "hubris."

*The Order (as spoken at the Carlisle McDonald's on August 9, 2009)
"I'd like a hamburger kid's meal with french fries, a Diet Coke, and a girl's toy (Author's note: Yes, I'm a bad mom). I'd also like a kid's meal that's a cheeseburger plain with no meat, so it's just a grilled cheese sandwich, with french fries, Hi-C, and a girl's toy. I'd like a Number 7, grilled, sandwich only, with a large Diet Coke, and a Number 11 meal with a Diet Coke." (All rights reserved.)