I always thought England was obsessed with politeness.
Apologizing for things they didn’t do.
Expressing gratitude for things that don’t matter.
Saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ for every human interaction.
Maybe I thought this because I’ve been away for so long.
Maybe it’s because of Brexit.
But while I am loving being home, I am also aware some people can be utter pricks.
Case in point … Starbucks customers.
Specifically the Starbucks customer in the photo at the top of this post.
A few weeks ago, I was quietly eating my breakfast on a small table by myself.
Suddenly this guy comes and sits on the other side of the table … literally next to me.
And why did he do this?
Was it because I invited him?
No.
Was it because he was being friendly?
No.
It was because his takeaway coffee was being made and he thought he would take the weight off his feet by sitting at someone else’s table and waiting till he was called to pick up his coffee.
What the fuck?
When did that behaviour become ‘a thing’?
You wouldn’t join a family at their table if you were waiting to pick up a takeaway so why is this OK?
What got me even more pissed off is that he sat there, not facing me and yet completely invading my personal space.
Eventually he looked at me and when he saw me staring at him, he asked ‘what my problem was’.
To which I replied …
“I’ve not had someone this close to me since I had my proctology exam, though to be fair, the doctor asked if he could be there”.
The great irony is he called ME rude.
On the bright side, it got rid of him and left a nasty taste in his mouth – though given he was drinking a Starbucks, he should have been used to that by now. Boom Tish.