I don’t know if the encounter itself was awkward, or if it was just me making it awkward. Story of my life. Basically, on my way home from my part-time job the other day, I went to the local store to buy a bunch of products that I ran out of at the last minute.
You know, floss, deodorant, and other awesome hygiene products.
But that wasn’t the awkward part. Usually I go to the self-checkout because good-old-anti-social-me likes to avoid cashiers, but today I thought, “Meh, I’m too lazy to scan my own items.”
The second I got into one of the lines, I realized that I know the cashier. Actually, first thought was “Hey, that guy looks familiar” which quickly turned into a horrified “Oh God, I went to high school with him!”
Okay, maybe not that big a deal. But for someone who dreads any type of social encounter, this put me in panic mode. I mean, like I said before, I don’t even like making small-talk with cashiers! Recognizing someone in public is a whole other level. I glanced over to the other checkout and debated whether I could casually just switch lines, but at this point, there was no going back without looking suspicious.
So I stayed in line, hygiene products cradled in my arms, and hoped he wouldn’t recognize me. I mean, high school was a while ago, right? I was pretty quiet and invisible back then so I doubt anyone would remember me. Maybe if I just cover my face with my hair and avoid eye contact…
“Hey, Kana, right?”
Great. So much for not recognizing me.
At this point, you’re probably thinking that I’m making a big deal out of nothing. Aaaaand, of course, you’re right. There were people behind me, anyways, so we couldn’t really chit-chat for long. But during those brief few minutes, we caught up on what we’re doing in life.
And it was actually nice. Lesson of the day: stop thinking that every conversation will be awkward and cringeworthy. But also, it got me wondering about all those people from high school and what they’re up to now. Yes, yes, there’s Facebook, but people don’t share their entire lives on there.
Are they successful? Pursuing their dreams? Have they completely changed or are they still the same person from high school? Are they still hopeful for the future or has that innocence been replaced with the pessimism of reality?
A lot of questions that I will probably never know the answer to.
So this post has turned strangely philosophical. What about you? Ever wonder about what someone from your past is doing now?
I would feel awkward if this happened to me too! also I really like your blog – do you make the photos of cartoon people yourself?
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Small talk about my life goals never goes well -_- And thank you!! Yes I do haha
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haha for me neither! and nice! they’re really good 🙂
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Yup the struggle is real! And thank you ❤
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Oh my gosh, this is how I feel too! I wrote something similar to this on my blog before. Buying stuff like deodorant is embarrassing for me to begin with and it’s even worse when it’s someone you know. I would rather have all my cashiers to be strangers lol. At least you’re not alone in this! It’s really nice if they are a close friend for yours, though. 🙂
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Yay, great to know that I’m not alone! And that I’m not super weird or anything. The worst is when you try to leave the store discretely but then the sensors beep so you have to show all your embarrassing items 😥 Happens too often… Love your blog btw!!
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Oh really? Sensors have never beeped for me before. Must be something wrong with the store! Aw, thanks so much!! ^-^
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hahaha ya maybe my local Walmart has a personal grudge against me
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^ I reread my comment. Kinda sounds like I’m shoplifting, oops. I meant after I buy the items but the sensors are triggered anyways hahaha
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haha don’t worry, you survived the ordeal and literally lived to tell (or rather write) the tale
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Yep, sometimes writing and laughing about it makes everything a little more bearable! 🙂
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I can relate too.
It happens with me all the time. I keep dreading conversations but then sometimes they get interesting too and then we keep thinking why did we avoid them in the first place.
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Exactly! Makes you wonder about how many other interesting conversations you might have missed out on…
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I can do small talk with cashiers and strangers I may never see again. But small talk with people I slightly know or have known in the past? Ugh, no thank you! I cringe.
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Ugh, yes! It’s that ‘slightly know’ status that makes everything really awkward…next time I think I’ll just switch lines haha
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I seem to have so many “slightly know” status conversations in my everyday life, I wish I could switch lines in those situations too.
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Hahahahaha funny! Wouldn’t that be so convenient? But then again, you’ll never know what conversations you may have missed…
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