Family Dollar...in Miami...enough said.

Alright, so I'm not trying to make this blog a big complaint. Because I know my year is going to be fantastic, and I want reading it to be a joy and not a burden. But let me just talk about this trip to Family Dollar we just took.

So, we're still in Miami.. actually about to leave for Immokalee in roughly 20ish minutes. Within a mile from our friends' apartments, there are about 6 dollar stores...lovely. So we settle on Family Dollar so Alejandro and Tania can do some shopping for their apartment needs. Makes sense, right? Right.

So we get there. As we walk in, there is a line of customers in one check-out lane. There are about 4 workers just standing there, chatting with each other. Rude. There are bugs all around the store, messy aisles...there is cleaning to do, people. This isn't social hour.You're getting paid.

So, we walk around, do some shopping. People in there were just rude, honestly. We, when cutting people off, or walking in front of them, would kindly say excuse me. Others just glared and kept walking, not saying a word. We understand there is much diversity here, and a lot of different languages being spoken. But, I don't know, I was under the impression that courtesy was a universal thing. Maybe not.

We get in line, and the lady who checked us out...so rude. She didn't smile, say hello, or any greeting. She threw items into bags, and threw the bags into our cart. She didn't package a thing of detergent, and it ended up falling and spilling all over. She did't say anything, really, was she just going to let it sit there? Dangerous!  A guy came in, who I guess worked there, and told us we could get another detergent. Well, cool. One friendly person.

Except he was an odd one. When I was in line, dealing with the rude checkout lady, the guy said "you got some cute feet". No, that's a weird compliment. I tried to ignore it and assume he was talking to Clarissa. But no, of course we had to clarify who he was speaking to. It was me. My flip flops are filthy. My feet aren't so clean either. The nailpolish on my toes is chipped. I don't even like feet. Who compliments feet? Nice smile? I'd take it. Pretty eyes. I can agree. Cute feet? What kind of compliment is that.

I am ususally quite cordial and would generally probably smile and say thanks, but I couldn't control my feelings. "That's weird", said I. "Why is that weird?" he retorted. "Well, its not weird it's just an odd compliment, I've never heard a compliment like that before." And it's true. I thanked him, but honestly I was fed up with the environment, the rudeness and the pure oddity of that compliment.

Sigh. I apologize for the rant but let's face it. Things are going to tick me off, they are going to annoy me,  they will try me. I know this. I'm ready. But I want this blog to be as real as possible, and though I intend on highlighting the good, I will share my struggles as well. Because I want you all to experience this with me, and feel what I'm feeling, if possible. From the inspiring stories, to the heartbreaking encounters, to the annoying every day things like rude people at Family Dollar...I want you to enjoy the ride with me.

:)