Comment by Heather Spoonheim on July 3, 2012 at 3:52pm

Personally I couldn't even do the 'just peachy' smile, but then I'm a cynical, bitter old hag. If you can pull it off, though, perhaps the best thing to do is give them the most cheery but superficial, "Of course!" and immediately turn to the next client like it never happened. At least in that way you can subversively illustrate the thoughtlessness it takes to maintain their mindset.

Comment by James Cox on July 3, 2012 at 4:15pm

I was working, early 80's, by moon lighting to pay off bills. I was pulling weeds from around rose bushes one hot afternoon. The owner asked me if I would like a glass of ice water, and commented to me, 'I like pulling weeds, it reminds me of pulling the evil out of the world'. My responce was 'sometimes you have to but your roots down awfully deep..' That was my last job with her.

Yes thoughs 'Jesus cards'. I had a collection under my truck seat for a while. Happily they mold just like newspaper if they get wet. Normally I thank the person giving them to me, but recently I started to decline. I would rather they not cut more trees down to try and save my soul. I think my soul is ok, 'I was born ok the first time'. 

Comment by Karen Lollis on July 3, 2012 at 10:08pm

Just today, I was walking my dogs. Passed a fella on the bike trail and did the usual smile and say hello. He looked at me, smiled weirdly, and while I was thinking to myself, 'glad I've got dogs with me' - he said 'may god bless you today.'  I rolled my eyes. Couldn't help it.

Comment by archaeopteryx on July 3, 2012 at 10:57pm

@Ana - in your capacity as cashier, you represented the company, and as a company representative, regrettably for you, any personal opinion you expressed could easily be taken as your company's position. You really had no alternative than to keep silent. Not your fault, wrong place, wrong time.

@Heather - I've never thought of you as old --

Comment by Heather Spoonheim on July 3, 2012 at 11:00pm

@Arch

Coming from a 150 million year old fossil, I'm not surprised.

Comment by archaeopteryx on July 3, 2012 at 11:05pm

Uncle Al Einstein was right - it's all relative --

Comment by Kathryn on July 3, 2012 at 11:41pm

Sometimes you have to "vaguely acquiesce." Other times you have the freedom to react any way you want.  Ain't it frustrating that we have to constantly be on guard and tailor our responses to every situation?  

Comment by archaeopteryx on July 3, 2012 at 11:52pm

Not a criticism Katheryn (and BTW, congrats for surviving atheism in Tejas, or as some like to think of it, Baja Oklahoma), but don't we do that already? How many words do you use everyday among friends, that you'd never use when speaking to Great-Aunt Ella or little Ricky?

Comment by Kathryn on July 4, 2012 at 12:04am

I meant that it's *particularly* frustrating, as an atheist.  If you accidentally say the "F word" to Great-Aunt Ella, she will probably get over it in a few minutes.  But if you tell Great-Aunt Ella that you are an atheist, you could give her a heart attack, and/or get the whole family permanently riled up.

Comment by archaeopteryx on July 4, 2012 at 12:37am

@Kathryn (my grandmother's middle name) - I really doubt that Great-Aunt Ella is going to get over it quite so quickly - kinky Aunt Didi maybe, but not Great-Aunt Ella. But my point was, you have to choose your audience. Time and place --

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