Perfect timing for this thread!

I just got back from the grocery store. They have a new set up at the deli counter and Deli Worker (DW) was having a difficult time trying to find items. Along with the new set-up, apparently, they have a new price-code system.
Deli Worker seemed to be a bit confused (she was the only one behind the counter) but she kept things on the lighter side by saying things like "Yippee! I found it!" or "I used to know this code like the back of my hand, I'm sorry, I have to look it up" but by the end of my order (I ordered 6 different items) she seemed to be getting a bit frazzled. I looked behind me and the line suddenly grew to about 8 people. Yikes! She's in for a bad day!
For my last order I asked for 1/4 pound of Xcheese. After she finally found Xcheese and took it to the cutting machine she, again, asked me how much I wanted.
Then another customer loudly asked DW "Is anybody else working here? I'm in a hurry!" DW apologized to the other customer, then looked at me and said "I'm sorry for having to ask again . . . how much did you need?"

But I kept smiling, I was in no hurry and knew that DW was getting even more frazzled.
She started to slice my cheese, then another DW came in and asked her a few questions (she kept slicing as she talked) . . . I'll admit that my patients was beginning to wane a bit at this point, but I still kept smiling . . .
DW brought the huge stack of cheese to the scale, weight it out to more than 3/4 pounds, looked at me and with a very sad whimper said "You didn't want this much, did you?"
I laughed and said "No, I'm sorry, I just wanted 1/4 pound." A bit of quick commiserating with her ensued while she lifted off 1/2 pound of cheese from the scale with one hand, weighed and printed out the price sticker with the other hand . . . THEN, she gave me a wink as she put the rest of the cheese on the stack and bagged all of it.
DW thanked me for my patients and told me that I was the best customer she's had in a long time. I wished her good luck for the rest of the day (as grumbling customer was next in line)
So, yeah, it was only 1/2 pound of cheese, but the money aspect doesn't really matter. It's the feeling of making someone's day by being patient, kind, and polite that is the true benefit.
