Some People

Some people just have a chip on their shoulder, don't they? And it seems they are all too eager to take it out on an innocent bystander. Tonight I went to Kinkos to run some copies (regarding a blanket collection for the charity Newborns in Need, no less.) I prepared my original and walked up to the copiers just as the only 2 working copiers were taken by people. So I stood waiting. Then I realized that the man at the copier nearest me was not actually making copies, but rather organiaing a huge stack of papers. I thought maybe he was not even using the copier, just working beside it. So, I asked, "Excuse me, are you using this copier right now?" He angrily replied, "You want to use it? Fine (rips his credit card out of the machine...I didn't even know his card was in there.) Fine- use the damn copier then!" To which I said somewhat shocked, "No, I don't mind waiting at all. I didn't realize you were using it. I'm sorry." "That's not what you said." he snapped angrily. So, I stood a ways back definitely NOT looking at him and waiting for one of the 2 copiers to become available. After a few minutes he turned to me again and said, "Just use the stupid thing- this happens every time I come to this store. There are always 2 or 3 people standing around like buzzards. I can't handle it." I replied, "Well, okay if you are sure, but I really don't mind waiting." Then he continued his discourse about buzzards and people waiting to pounce as I started to put my card in. And then I realized I just couldn't make copies while he was standing there next to me sneering and all upset. So I removed my card and walked away. I walked over to the front counter and did what any already somewhat sensitive person with an added dose of post pregnancy hormones would do: I cried. Through my sniffs I asked the lady behind the counter if there were any other copiers I could use because that man was making very uncomfortable and I just couldn't do what I needed to do over there. After graciously asking if he needed to be thrown out (I declined), she took care of my copies for me as I waited there. I feel sorry for someone that is that angry and rude about nothing. I feel sorry for someone that feels verbally attacking people is acceptable behavior. I feel sorry that I allow such unkindness to impact me so deeply- could I not let it roll off my back? But through it all, at least I can say I never repaid his jerk-ful behavior. And it's a good reminder that all the people we encounter... from the UPS delivery person to the lady in line behind us at the grocery store... are not one dimensional objects toward which to direct our wrath, but living breathing spirit-filled humans in the midst of their daily lives and worthy of our consideration and kindness.