Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Have you ever been called ugly to your face?

I have. And I'm not even lying.
Today, while purchasing some items for our church's Mexico house-build trip, I had one of the most ridiculous interactions of my life. And I'm not exaggerating. I have a witness. Her name is Laura Agee.

I put my 7 items on the counter, and paid with a credit card. The cashier then asked for my ID, which I fully expected.

Then, something entirely uncalled for happened. She uttered these words:
"Oh... you don't look as beautiful as you do in this picture."

How does one respond to that? I was so taken aback. All I could do was shrug my shoulders and say, "I don't know."

I looked at my friend Laura, eyes as wide as saucers, asking--albeit telepathically--Did she really just say that?!

After the cashier had put my items in a plastic bag, and muttered something about an Avery address label rebate, she said, "I was just kidding."

I smiled and performed a fake laugh, crying on the inside.

Then, she said something even stranger:
"So, your name is Jessica?"

"Yes," I replied. (She's just looked at my identification, and looked up my Staples card in the system. Her verification question to me only moments earlier was, Are you Jessica?) Why, in the name of all that is normal and right in this world, would she ask for my name again?

I've decided that this lady is a lunatic. And therefore, I will not take her insults to heart. Builds character, right?
Sheesh.