via Daily Prompt: Artificial

The clerk at the grocery store who calls everybody “sweetie” or “hun” or “honey” is the very definition of artificial. I get that they are trying to be friendly but when a word is used consistently without pause it loses the very meaning that it is trying to convey. This goes with all words but especially overly sweet terms of endearment aimed at strangers and of course the word FUCK. Useful on many levels but not when used every fourth word.

While the words “hun” and “sweetie” are pouring out of this woman’s mouth aimed at every person in front of the register, the details of the operation are lost. It is these very details that keep the line moving in the first place. Scanning the coupon that is sitting right fucking in front of you! Having a basic grasp of 2nd grade math and being able to see, just by looking and having lived to an age above 8, that 88 cents x 2 is not going to be “about $1.60 I think hun” and that is actually more than that. The total comes up as $1.85 and the purveyor of the sweet little nuggets of endearment FREAKS OUT and wants to get a manager for an override. “Nope”says one person in line in a voice that seems sane and stable but probably is not. “88 cents x2 is $1.76 with 9 cents tax added is actually $1.85.” Yes, the advanced computer system in front of her gives the total as $1.85 and GASP it is correct. Okay hun, no need to get the manager for an override, we can get through this together sweetie.

You do not know me. We have never met. I am in know way sweet and trust me on this, I am absolutely and in no possible way your hun, honey, or any other simple minded sugar coated 1-2 syllable word you can muster out of your mouth. Please stop being so artificial and keep the line moving. The 14 people waiting will appreciate it oh so very much.