Yes.
I did pizza delivery for several years when I was younger. Any time I got on an elevator, if there were two or more others on board, it was guaranteed that one of them would say “let’s get 'im!” or some other dumb version of “we’re going to attack you and take that pizza.” This happened without fail, and these people always thought they were so cute. I used to fantasize about saying “Congratulations! You’re the 4,862nd person to say that to me today!”
You forgot “got any extra slices in there for me? Hyuk hyuk hyuk hyuk!”
To play your defective brain’s advocate for a moment, it really *wasn’t * funny. Trying to reason a laugh out of that sort of tired, ahumorous non-joke really *will *give you brain damage.
So I guess here is the disconnect between me and you… is it really that hard or upsetting to say something fun in return? I think I would have said something like “make me an offer… we might find a price.” Or, do you think it is better to snarl at them and make them feel like their friendly banter is way to demeaning for someone like you. I could say that every day… several times a day without being put out. I’d feel better because I was nice to someone rather than feeling like a jerk trying to make someone feel bad because they said something I’d heard before.
I’m really starting to wonder about some people here who seem to think being nice and civil is a chore.
Thanks for the tip GESancMan. If I find myself in an elevator with a pizza delivery person, I promise to be more original.
I’ll stare at him really, really hard, and if he does so much as twitch an eyebrow, I’ll say:
“what are you looking at punk, huh? You want your ass kicked?”
That’ll be different for him. Probably make his day, eh?
Could it be, that after a 10 hour day on her feet in a job where everyone she helps is excited about the big, happy meal they are going to enjoy with family and friends in a few hours she expects to go home to a Lean Cuisine™ and the Macy’s parade on a ratty couch alone?
I wasn’t too friendly back then either.
Yes, it is hard. A bad comic is just plain annoying. This is why bad comedians get heckled and booed off of stages. You are making one of the worst mistakes possible as a comedian. You know the old saw about if you have to explain the joke, it wasn’t funny to begin with? It’s got a sister called don’t blame the audience. If a joke falls flat it’s not the audience’s fault, it’s yours. Get over it, go home, and think up some better material.
Then I’m really glad I don’t live your life.
Where did I say I would act like an asshole over it? The truth is, I would usually force a smile, though I usually wouldn’t say anything in return.
You know what he’d probably appreciate? If you didn’t interact with him at all. You’re not his customer. There’s no law that says you have to comment on the fact that the guy’s delivering a pizza - though from my experience, very few people understand this.
You can’t tell a joke. Get over it!
And you’re still blaming the audience even now. Face it, man, You are not funny.
Gee golly, I’ve re-read this a few times and I don’t see where I said you would act like an asshole… just act nicely/politely. And you know what… you don’t speak for everyone, nor do I… But I welcome people speaking to me. I guess this seems foreign to some here. I met some guys while traveling this weekend 30 years plus my elders and because I aproached them I got to meet them and had an interesting time. I also met the head housekeeper at the hotel and had a nice conversation with her. To think that everyone would appreciate no interaction just doesn’t make sense in my world.
I’m amazed at the direction this thread has gone since I thought it was a light hearted note on my experience at the grocery store.
Assuming that was you trying to make a little joke, and not just an observation, she may not have known it was a joke. She was probably thinking, “Busy? The day before Thanksgiving? No shit, Sherlock!”
Joe
Yes Chimp… I will hang my head in shame. I am not funny.
I think somehow I got a little off track here. I did not post a thread about “want to hear the funniest thing I ever said?” but instead posted something about how I tried to socially interact with another human and there was an obvious disocnect. I have learned from this thread that we should never try to be nice to another person. We should keep our heads down and not make eye contact. I promise I will never try to have some fun with someone who may be having a bad day. I will spit in their face if they try to acknowledge that I am a human. Apparently this is the way it is supposed to work.
How the hell did this thread devolve to this?
Ugh, I hate that! Just respond to my questions, say “Hi” when I say “Hi,” and we’re all good.
That sounds crankier than I intend it to.
Joe
The store normally has 2 or 3 lines open at this time… this night they probably had 10 with several people backed up in each. I think it was pretty obvious to everyone that it was a busy night. So, yes if it isn’t clear I was making an apparently very lame and obviously inappropriate joke.
Yes, sometimes. Where I work, we have a machine to dispense creamer for coffee. Every few shots, it moos, like a cow.
It’s really, really hard to say something fun to the 174635th customer who makes a “clever” comment about it.
I want to shoot that machine. Sometimes, THAT is my response, to say “I want to shoot that machine, ha ha!”
Joe
I think we are on the same page Joe… I just recognize that the person taking my money is a real person and they deserve the same respect I would give anyone else. I tend to try to joke with others if possible, and I’m sorry if I use “standard” jokes to try to break the ice.
Apparently others here don’t agree.
And you know what… I as a customer would welcome and laugh at that. We really don’t live in different worlds… we understand what you have to put up with just like I hope you understand what I do in my job.
Others seem to think that they are the only ones that understand what a pizza delivery guy can go through so they must scorn them.
Meh, whatever. I’m always polite in response to peoples’ quips, even if I don’t chortle along with them. I’m with you, I treat customers exactly like I treat cashiers, waiters, etc. Like people, no more, no less, in general. And when my waiter is too chatty, I’m often like I am when a customer of mine is too chatty - polite as usual, but the waiter probably thinks I’m the Ice King…
Joe
Ah, yes.
In future then, when dealing with anyone who is forced to interact with the disgusting public in their job, I will adopt a stone faced silence, looking neither to the left nor to the right. If on an elevator with Mr. Pizza guy, I will endeavor to pretend that he does not exist at all. I will not acknowledge his presence. By doing this, I will smooth the way for efficient commerce, and eliminate all pretense that we are all living in a society together.