Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Mr. Toothpicker

Last night we went to pick up a car that had been in for service at our local Jeep-Chrysler dealer. It was after hours, so I had to go into Sales to pay and get the keys. I walked through the doorway and I could see two salesmen at the back counter. One was standing in front of the counter, talking to the one seated behind the counter. The guy behind the counter had half his hand in his mouth, apparently picking at a back molar. He continued picking at his teeth, even as I walked up to the counter. The other guy asked how he could help me and tried some inane banter. I wasn't biting and just told him I needed to get my car.

Finally, Mr. Toothpicker extricated his hand from his mouth and said "Phil, I'll get the young lady her car." Phil said, no, that's ok, I'll get the paperwork. I was thinking, "Please, please Phil, get my paperwork, don't let Mr. Toothpicker near anything I have to touch!" But no, Mr. Toothpicker got my paperwork. Then he got my keys. Then he took my credit card. Then as I frantically and unsuccessfully looked for a pen in my bag, he handed me a pen to sign my charge slip. All with his toothpicking hand.

I got my car. Then my husband and I headed off for a quick bite at a local fast food Mexican place. As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I told him what happened at Jeep, and immediately went to wash my hands. Now, I'm not a neat freak, as anyone who has ever been to my home knows. My son has come back from a week of Boy Scout camp, crusted in dirt and bragging about how he ate ants on a dare, none of which phased me. But this toothpicking business was, for some reason, beyond what I could deal with.

Please, Mr. Toothpicker, although dental hygiene is an admirable quality, can you please save it for a more appropriate and private moment?

8 comments:

Linda@VS said...

How gross was that guy?!? And how could he not have had a clue that what he was doing was nasty? If he'd do something like that in front of you, there's no telling what he'd do when nobody was looking. Pick his nose? Of course. Use the bathroom without washing his hands? Of course. No doubt they have security cameras there; I wish somebody would check them and see how he's presenting himself to the public.

(Another good post, by the way. Keep up the good work;-)

Sunflower Optimism said...

You know what gets me? I don't know if this is only a NYS law, or country wide - but in every restaurant rest room there is posted an official notice that "All employees must wash hands after using rest room." We actually have to tell people this? Didn't their moms teach them anything?

Many thanks, Velvet - Kim is right to always be singing your praises - what a wonderful, encouraging and warm person you are!

Kat Campbell said...

I have also wondered why it's necessary to post signs for hand washing, Sunflower. Why do they need to put "caution, contents hot!" on coffee cups... who drinks cold coffee? People can be real creepy sometimes! Wandered here from Janet's blog, nice post!

Sunflower Optimism said...

Thanks for stopping by, Janet and Kat - I'm so happy for the company!

I hope he wasn't picking his nose, prior to his teeth, Janet. Ick!

Kat, I have a confession to make - I do drink cold coffee. I like my tea hot and my coffee, well, tepid. But on the plus side, I DO wash my hands thoroughly after using the facilities, without anyone having to tell me.

Sunflower Optimism said...

Right, Janet, I read about that lawsuit. I also read how obese people tried to sue fast food restaurants because it was the unhealthy food making them overweight. How about not going into those restaurants? Or did someone have a gun to their heads and make them eat "2 all beef patties special sauce, onions, cheese, pickles lettuce on a sesame seed bun"?

Sometimes I forget to ask for the child proof caps - then I have to go find a child to open it for me, LOL.

Anonymous said...

My cab driver today had fingernails longer than any woman I've ever known. They were natural. For some reason ????? I am grossed out by two inch nails on a guy. He took my money, handed me a pen, i jotted down my info for the registration thinga-ma-bob all while trying my hardest not to toss my cookies in the back of his cab. What worried me the most was not knowing what was in the pill bottle he opened then washed down just before i got in the cab. It's frightening to wonder. I also wonder why only 3 out of 5 nails were 2 inches an the others were less than an inch. Nasty!!!

Sunflower Optimism said...

Thanks for visiting my beginner blog, Austin. I marvel how anyone can have 2 inch nails. Never in a million years could mine grow 2 inches, they would split long before. That's probably why only some of his were long - probably broke the others. That would have grossed me out too, get me out of there!

As for the meds, if it makes you feel any better, I'm on a lot of meds for my RA, but they don't affect my driving. Hopefully he didn't take any of those "do not operate heavy machinery while using" pills. It is scary, you never know.

Sunflower Optimism said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Tony :-) The only two inch nails I have are in my toolbox - we'll let the band have the nine inchers!

Love your GSD pups. I'm betwixt & between getting another dog; have been eyeing the GSD bred by the Monks of New Skete. But with both kids in college, everyone is telling me I'm nuts for thinking of getting another dog (we lost our dear, sweet, stupid Tasha four years ago.) Betwixt. Between.