Are You in Line?

Yesterday at Kroger I waited at the pharmacy right on top of the "Wait here" floor decal. I like to follow the rules. A man approached the counter ten feet in front of me from the left. He saw me waiting and asked, "Are you in line?"

I said yes. He said he just wanted to ask the tech a question, which he did, then walked away without looking back at me.

I am big on common courtesy, so I noted to myself that he neither excused himself nor thanked me for allowing him to cut the line.

As I was mulling this over and waiting for the tech to call me forward, a woman pushing a cart approached me from behind and asked, "Are you in line?" I said yes and noted that she seemed frustrated. She shook her head at me like I was in the wrong place or something. I think maybe she was in a hurry and impatient to get to the counter.

Whatever the case, I am not going to pressure the pharmacy techs. They are working their tails off at a median pay rate of $18.41 per hour in Ohio, according to AI, which could not possibly be wrong. I am impressed by their professionalism and politeness in the face of constant pressure. They are doing one of many jobs that I am not cut out for, so I appreciate what they do.

So if you see me standing in line at the Kroger pharmacy, and are wondering if I am in line, the answer is yes, and I will damn sure wait for the tech to call me forward.