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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 8, 2021)
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 Commentary... A tragic new normal on display at the grocery store By Carol Statton Correspondent Our world today feels like it is spiraling out of control. Locally, nationally, and worldwide, there are so many things that seem to be elevating to a degree never experienced before. Stress levels are intensifying, and because of that, we are see- ing disrespectful and poten- tially harmful human behav- ior being triggered. Last Friday, while waiting at a Safeway deli counter, I witnessed such behavior and it made me understand my own increasing anxiety at a deeper level. This encounter also made me realize that we all need to be the best version of ourselves, no matter what. Imagine overwhelmed and understaffed employees, trying their very best to do the job that would normally be handled by three times as many people. Employees that have been working like this for months. Trying so hard, despite incredible fatigue. Finding patience when met with myriad of impatient souls. Doing their best even when there isn9t enough supply to meet the needs. While I waited in line, I noticed an agitated man approach the counter. Suddenly, this man started spewing expletives as he looked at some empty bowls within the salad case. The man was interrogating the poor young boy behind the counter as to why the <exple- tive= there wasn9t a plentiful amount of every choice. He yelled the <F= word at this boy repeatedly. The boy came around the counter to explain to the man that even the delivery trucks don9t have enough workers and that they just aren9t getting stock. More <F= words 4 but now they weren9t being directed to the boy, but about the condition of life with all the worthless people in the world. The boy continued to look up into the face of the man who was towering over him, determined to defuse this hostile situation. He suc- ceeded and the man got his large container of coleslaw and headed off for other parts of the store. The boy just stood there, staring into the great unknown, trying to regain his composure. This young man came to me next and I could feel the fear he had just pushed through in order to handle the situation. He looked maybe 15 years old (I found out later that he is a very young-looking 20-year-old). I wanted to give him a hug and tell him this wasn9t rep- resentative of the whole world 4 but I could tell he needed to just focus on ful- filling my order and con- tinue pushing through. I thanked him wholeheartedly, trying to communicate my anguish over what he had just endured. So much is escalat- ing. The idea of control is evaporating. Stress and fear are building, and even just seeing limited supplies of what we are used to having can trigger an unbalanced response. That man9s unleashed attack was an example of what can come from feel- ing vulnerable. His choice of words and lack of self- control were completely out of line, making others feel uneasy and unsafe. However, a young boy behind the counter kept his calm and did what he felt he should do, and somehow, the situa- tion did not escalate further. It could have, and knowing that made me feel terrified; terrified that as things con- tinue to spin out of control, more of these encounters will happen. Worse things could happen. When we as humanity lose sight of our responsibil- ity to one another, we lose sight of decency. Decency means we don9t attack one another. Decency means we respect and value one another, no matter what our differences may be. Decency means we care. We must care 4 for one another and for the world that we all call our home. If we run out of potato salad at the deli counter, we must remember that this is not the end of the world. If we treat it as such, we cause untold damage. I pray for the young boy; pray that he doesn9t let this encounter scare him and make him afraid for tomor- row. I pray for humanity, that we can regain our collective heart and realize that each of us affects the whole. I pray for the ability to find my own way back to believing in the best of humanity, and not giving in to a fear I have never known before. And as for my own way of trying to right the wrong of another, I went back to Safeway the next morn- ing and relayed all of the details of that experience to the manager, conveying how that young man deserved to be commended for his dedi- cated and mature efforts. Sadly, I realized that this had certainly not been an iso- lated instance, as the man- ager was not surprised by my report. This must be the new norm. How tragic that is. I was assured, however, that the brave young man would be rewarded. The Law Offi ce of JOHN H. MYERS, S LLC C — Downtown Sisters — WILLS & TRUSTS Make it easy for you and your loved ones. 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