Warning: Open Vent

On my home from work I stopped in Shop Rite. The cashier wanted the time of day, I think. She didn't ask what time it was, but I sensed she wanted a little conversation. As one of the secretaries in school told me earlier today, people long to be recognized. The cashier asked me if I have a savings card. I don't. Then she commented about how colorful it is, and I thought she was talking about the discount thingie and that seemed odd to me. I had music playing softly through my Ipod earphones, so I was a little tuned out (if such a modified amount of tuned out exists). (Someone told me recently that he stopped listening to shiurim on his Ipod in public because he felt it kept people at a distance from him. Sometimes, right or wrong, that's what I want.)

Earlier, While I was perusing the aisles a man asked me if I was the mashgiach of the kosher section.
I said, "No."
He said, "You're just a frum guy wearing a white shirt."
Me: "Right."
On the other side of the chicken we bumped into each other again,
"You daven in Rabbi Yudin's Shul." he said.
Me: "No."
"Teaneck."
"No."
You don't understand what I'm saying."
"I live in Manhattan."
"Oh."

The girl working the register commented about colors. I looked at what she was placing in the bag and realized she was talking about the Rainbow Roll. I told her the name and she liked that. Then she paused to gaze upon my Space Saving Shoe Organizer that has As Seen On TV stickers on it (I hadn't seen it). The check out girl looked at Shoes Under (Slides Under Bed! Holds 12 Pairs! Great For Closets Too!) as though it were a rare jewel.
"I'd seen it on TV, but I didn't know it was available in stores already!"
It was a pleasant exchange.

I took the twenty minute bus ride home, which due to traffic took an hour and a half. I'm tired. But I'll always have Shop Rite. And soon, Shabbos.