It was a rainy day in California and I was on my way to the local pharmacy. A trip that I make quiet often, seeing as my life rotates around a carousel of pills. I walk toward the counter where the pharmacist makes eye contact with me, but shows no sign of recognition. It’s kind of awkward to me considering that they should know me on a first name basis because of my frequent visits, but they never acknowledge that they remember me. Maybe they think I’m in the witness protection program and no one can know who I am.
I see a few people standing around waiting for their prescription to be filled. Don’t you ever feel like the pharmacy is the perfect people-watching place? I like to guess what diagnosis others have and what miracle drug they are patiently waiting for. Maybe they have Leprosy…. or Elephantiasis… or Foreign Accent Syndrome. Now my diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease isn’t sounding all that bad.
I walk up to the counter and the pharmacist says, “Name and Date of Birth”. Whoa! You don’t have to buy me a drink first but, at least try a standard greeting of “Hello, how are you?” I’m compliant and respond with little enthusiasm. As he goes to retrieve the goods, I start digging in my wallet to find my CVS rewards card. I have many rewards cards from various stores, so I keep them in my coin section of my wallet. Trust me, if I put all of my cards onto my key chain, it would be like carrying around a baseball.
The pharmacist comes back with a bag of medications and I proceed to lean over the counter to hand him my magical rewards card. What I didn’t figure out is that you can’t tilt your wallet upside down and not expect to have all (and I mean ALL) your change and numerous cards come spilling out, hitting the dirty-carpeted floor. I freeze for a moment, like I saw a bear.
Now I will grace you once again, with my impeccable artistic skills… you know, some people are just born with a gift. Here is my detailed stick figure drawing, which describes the scene.
I have given myself perfectly glowing hair and long eyelashes (I am trying to keep this as close to reality as possible) and other shoppers surround me. I didn’t sense the pending doom as I leaned forward with my wallet unzipped. The next thing I notice is a flash of light bouncing off a falling quarter and then my life went into slow motion.
One might think, that someone in the gathered group, waiting for their drugs, would be kind enough to help me collect my life savings that has spilled onto the floor. No… not one person. I got down on my knees and slowly began to pick up the coins and rewards cards. Sorting out the hair, dirt and dust that peppered my loot.
It was uncomfortably silent until I hear a woman (which I have fondly added a witches hat, long-nosed and broom… remember, I am trying to be realistic) behind me say, “That’s why I don’t use those types of wallets”. As minutes passed I continue my scavenger hunt on the floor alone, in silence. I guess I should be happy that they didn’t just step over me, but it still baffled me.
I am not sure why no one offered help. Maybe we are so focused on our own problems that we don’t see what is right in front of us. Then again, maybe the woman was truly a witch…. we may never know.
Thanks… This reminded me that I need to go next door to Rite Aid, and pick-up todays batch of Parkie pills……
Happy to help!
I use a pharmacy that delivers and they are friendly, polite and remember my name.
I really hesitate to help women because so many consider it demeaning. Can’t say hello to women at the gym if they have earbuds and definitely don’t open a door for a woman. It’s a confusing world. But it’s still OK to ask if I can help. Maybe people are stressed out at the pharmacy?
It defiantly can be confusing… each woman is different. But chivalry can go along way in my book!
I know what you mean about the staff at the pharmacy. You would think they would be on a first name basis with me as I get probably 15 prescriptions a month there as well as calling them. They don’t they could care less about me with exception of the pharmacist. Last monthone of the staff members actually made me cry on the phone I told my husband he would have to deal with them from now on I won’t call them anymore. Maybe there needs to be a pharmacy etiquette course they need to take. We should look into that, like do they think we want to take all this medication!
I wish I had been there to help. Here is an app that you can store coupons and your store cards. Key Ring: cards coupon and sales is the name of the app. on Google play store. it stores your card info and allows you to be organized and free of digging for your cards. Hope this helps.
Great suggestion! Thank you!
I know what you mean. There is someone in my fitness class who never greets anyone when he walks in the door and never responds to my big “HELLO and GOOD MORNING!” Not sure what his issue is but it bothers me that he doesn’t acknowledge me or anyone else in the class. He is content to keep to himself and ignore everyone else.
A smile and a few nice words is so easy to do and I haven’t found anyone (well except for the guy in my class) who don’t like being on the receiving end!
Keep smiling Perky and don’t let the Debbie downers (or witches) get to you 🙂
Awww, Perky. I am so sorry this happened to you! How rude! I wish someone would have been kind enough to help pick up your stuff with you! I once changed pharmacies because the pharmacist always leered at me when I renewed my birth control pills. I guess that was a big thrill for him. Ugh. Anyway, thanks for your column. I really appreciate it.