Yesterday at the deli I ordered a cheeseburger with mayo and spicy mustard. Three people after me in line another guest, obviously perturbed by the line and wait, briskly ordered a cheeseburger, “Plain, you hear that, plain! Don’t screw this up!”
His rudeness was only amplified by the drumming of his hands on the counter as though he were pacing the cook.
My burger was finished, wrapped in wax paper and boxed, then handed over the counter in my general direction. “Plain!” guy jumps the line, swipes my food, and storms over to the counter, throws cash at the clerk and leaves.
The cook apologized; quickly turning around to remake my food. When he finished cooking the fresh burger he marked it down by a dollar and I thanked him for his kindness.
Now, I could have been the bigger person and stopped “Plain!” guy but he was very quick in taking my burger and, considering his rudeness throughout the situation, I figured I would let the universe handle it and let him enjoy his mayo and spicy mustard that he, all to eagerly and obnoxiously, snatched from my patient gaze.
Karma.
Tommy Karr 