The Possibly TMI Midnight Post

24Jun09

There is something oddly fascinating about places that are open past midnight, especially stores open 24 hours, like Metro or Shopper’s Drug Mart. The world should be asleep at these times, shut down and closed up, but for the night owls like myself there are places still open for business. I often contemplate what it would be like working during the wee hours of the morn to see the people who come in just before dawn. The drunks? The homeless? The insomniacs? What really goes on in these places while the rest of the world sleeps?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I love when I can hop across the street for a midnight snack; smiley potatoes, frozen pizza, chips and dip, etc… I just wonder why?

Last night I went to a lovely concert (review to come after this) afterward I felt the hunger pangs and a craving for a Wendy’s frosty on the warm summer eve. So I hopped over to Wendy’s (Eat Great, Even Late – even though they’re only open until 1 a.m.) I made it just in time to get a burger and a frosty and on my way home realized I was in need of tampons, it couldn’t wait another day.

So I walk into Shopper’s Drug Mart, fully aware of how awkward it might be carrying fast food and buying that one item. It’s that one item that men almost always refuse to pick up for you. One that most women buy among a number of other items, not just by itself. But alas, I couldn’t bring myself to care, I picked up a pack of ’slenders’, got in line, burger and tampons in hand and waited for my turn at cash. My experience, not ridiculous, but slightly uncomfortable and a little bit humorous, went like this:

(I put the item on the counter, as well as the burger bag so I can fish through my purse for money.)
Older Male Cashier: You have a burger?
Myself: Yes. I haven’t had dinner yet.
Older Male Cashier: Do you need a bag for these? (Shakes the box of tampons like a Polaroid picture)
Myself: No thanks, that’s alright.
Older Male Cashier: Just thought I’d ask.
Myself: Thank You.
Older Male Cashier: Enjoy your…(Pause, hands me the box of tampons)…
Older Male Cashier: Burger.

I think he was going to tell me to enjoy my tampons…
Thanks?

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