Tales from the supermarket - Hello and Goodbye

The supermarket is a place in which many people are employed. These individuals are there to serve the people that visit. They work hard to help maintain a pillar of the community, ensuring that the place runs well. Everybody's role is vital and important in its own right.

Some people take great pride in their job and this is more than demonstrated in how they conduct themselves on a daily basis.

Hello and Goodbye.

The older gentleman has had many jobs throughout his life. But none have filled him with a greater sense of purpose than the one that he currently works. Being on time for this fellow, means arriving half an hour early. So that he can 'get in the zone', mentally preparing himself for a very important day at work. First, he makes himself a tasty sugary cup of tea and nibbles on a few chocolate Hob Nobs - as he believes that a man working in the role that he does needs to keep his energy levels up.  This is followed by a brisk walk around the store to A) say hello to his appreciative colleagues and B) to warm and limber up his muscles. Once this procedure has been carried out - he then takes up his position just inside of the main entrance.

For this is where he carries out his work. He is the supermarkets greeter. A role that is not for the faint hearted. He is a fine example of a man who lives to work. "Hello, sir, good day, madame, have a nice shop, goodbye, safe journey." All are said with a charming smile and telling nod of a salt and pepper head.

Sometimes in a role such as this he has been 'challenged' during the course of his working day. Culminating in when he has had to intervene if the alarm system is set off  by a customers shopping bag that has unwittingly triggered it.

This is a prime example of when he comes into his own. Recalling what he was taught on his staff training days when first obtaining the job.

''Please step away from the plastic bag, madame. I will need to check your purchased contents.'' He is as polite as he is commanding. If a customer decides to get 'hairy' he has enough knowledge on physical combat to 'deal with them' if the situation arises. (It never does).

An embarrassed look almost certainly prevails, as in this instance the young lady in questions bag amongst other items contains 'lady stuff' Rummaging through the bag with perhaps overzealous vigour - he quickly realises that he is in the heady midst of uncharted territory, but unfortunately, it is too late.

The reddening complexion on both parties faces is palpable - but for the sake of an efficiently run organisation, (the supermarket) he must do a thoroughly professional job.

On deciding that everything is "A OK," he calmly addresses the agitated female. "Sorry about that, young lady, you are free to leave. Make sure you get home safely.''

And with that he nods his head like a noble gent' before re - positioning himself with his arms strategically placed behind his back.

In his head he deserves much more credit for the fine work he carries out on on a daily basis. He never clock watches and when it is time to return home he eagerly anticipates the next day when he is back in at work.

The supermarket would be a poorer place if he was not such a vital cog in the machine.


Demola, TCC

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