Huh?

I don't know about you, but in the past few years I have found myself talking to people who aren't talking to me. (insert your own joke here)

More than once in the grocery store, a person in my aisle has said something and I have replied -- only to realize that the person was asking someone over the phone where to find the green beans. I've grown cautious about being helpful.

In a large department store, I have replied to people -- and then noticed that the person was talking on a walkie talkie. My mistake.

But today's experience tops all previous ones.

Today I went to well-known electronics store and soon sought out a young employee to answer a few questions about the product I was considering. A few moments into our conversation, I was stunned when the store employee said loudly, "You'll have to handle that yourself. I'm busy."

I know I must have looked shocked, because she smiled and explained that she was talking to another store employee and indicated the microphone pinned to her blouse.

I chuckled and asked my next question. But before she replied to me, she stared straight into my eyes and said loudly and forcefully, "I can't help you now. Get Mike or someone to do it!"

I have to admit that I totally lost my train of thought.

Over the next few minutes, she talked to me and to a fellow store employee in such an intermingled manner that I finally said, "I'm sorry but I can't tell when you are talking to me and when you are talking to someone else."

It was absolutely the most disconcerting shopping experience of my life!

I've already said that I may have to buy all my groceries online.
Now I'm thinking I may just buy everything online.