I’ve probably said it a few times in my posts; I’m an introvert. During the pandemic, Susan and I have been hermits. That said, I do miss casual social interactions that come with shopping for groceries or anything else. These past few months, after having taken a COVID vaccine booster, I have abandoned curbside service and ventured into the grocery store – masked, of course. Mask use there has fallen to 10% or less. Sigh.
Still, I enjoy seeing the foodies, the folks at the check-out, the butchers and fish mongers, and folks in the Bakery and Deli areas – all people that I have greeted for several years. My interactions with other shoppers are few, but they do happen now and then.
Today, I was checking out and had just placed a separator bar behind my stuff so that an older, Hispanic fellow (probably my age or just a few years younger) behind me could put his items on the conveyor belt.
Him: “Thank you.”
Me: “You’re welcome.” I notice that he has a small zip-loc bag of cashews. They appeared to be spicy; I too buy them now and then.
Me: “Those look delicious.”
Him: “They’re a treat; you have to treat yourself once in a while.”
Me: “Of course. Those look like they could be chili-lime cashews.”
Him: “They are. I’m from El Paso, and we eat a lot of green chili stuff there from New Mexico,” he smiled.
Me: “Yes, Hatch.”
Him: “That’s it; it reminds me of . . .”
Me: “Home.”
“Home,” he repeated as he nodded affirmatively. I checked out and walked to my car feeling that I had had my minimum daily requirement of unscripted human interaction. Seems a small thing, but it is essential to good mental health.