Friends Behaving Badly

I like to think of myself as respectful, thoughtful and gracious, but sometimes I get caught up in a situation and it's only after I realize how badly behaved I was!

Like last weekend, Lauren and I decided to take in a matinee. She arrived at the theatre with her boyfriend and young daughter in tow.

We had plenty of time before the movie was to begin, but since the theatre line ups are known to be long, Lauren was trying to get everything organized. As I was paying for my tickets, she told me to hurry up the stairs to our theatre, so we could save our seats with our jackets.

The price for my movie ticket was $12.50

Usually, I am in a rush when paying for something in a store, so I hand the counter clerk my twenty dollar bill and take back handfuls of change which I then dump into the bottom of my purse, but today I decided to start scooping the loose change out of my bag and begin to sort it on the counter.

In the end I had four toonies, three loonies, four quarters, four dimes, a nickle and five pennies. My purse was lighter, but my conscious a little heavy since I knew there was a long line forming behind me.

I made my way to the theatre, found Lauren, reserved my seat and rushed back down to the concession line.

After several minutes of waiting patiently for our turn, we both started to get anxious. We didn't want to miss the beginning of our movie.

It seemed everyone ahead of us was taking so long with their orders.

"It's all about being organized," Lauren remarked. "People should decide what they are having before getting up to the cashier!"

"I know," I agreed. "This is ridiculous! How long does it take to order some popcorn?"

Lauren and I went on about this for several minutes. I am sure people behind us could overhear our complaining.

Finally it was our turn at the concession. I let Lauren place her order first.

She ordered a combo number one for her and Darrel, an extra pop and a kid's combo for Emma.

The counter person asked Lauren which candy treat she wanted with her combo and it was then Lauren realized she had ordered the wrong combo. Yes, here starts the antics.

"Okay," I say "That's the combo I want, so add mine to your order!" I think I am being helpful.

Now the counter person is trying to figure out who wants what and which treat goes with what combo. Lauren's daughter has her heart set on a certain candy which of course doesn't come with the combo she wants.

I now want to add a hot dog onto my order (It's only two dollars!) Lauren wants extra butter through out her popcorn, I like minimal ice in my drink. the poor girl behind the counter had to tell us twice our candy options that come with our orders and when we count out our money we are short five dollars, so we all dig around in our purses, wallets and pockets to come up with the shortfall. (Again, loonies, toonies, quarters, etc)

I am certain no one took as long as we did in that line up, but it was only when we were walking away with our mountain of junk food did I laugh out loud and realize that we were the worst customers ever. We criticized others for being unorganized and then were completely unorganized ourselves. We couldn't have been less organized if we had tried. To the person behind the counter, the people ahead of us in line and the people behind us...I am sorry!

A few lessons,

One, patience is a virtue

Two, we all make mistakes, or behave badly at times

Three, acknowledge the mistake and endeavor to do better next time!