Anonymous said:

"You felt uncomfortable. Just be glad you weren't the one in pain. Pain makes people snappy. Sometimes you can't control even if you try. I'm sure she would have loved to have gone home I'm sure but probably couldn't afford to. It is not your place to tell her what to do. You said she tried to make small talk - perhaps in an effort to make amends- but you weren't interested. How rude are you? Everybody is having a hard time these days. Its only the grocery queue for heaven's sake. Not sure how life is in Canada these days but if that's all you've got to be upset about then I think I might join you and emigrate ;-)."

You are totally right, if that is all I have to complain about I should shut up.  You are right pain does make people snappy and I totally understand back pain being in pain with my back also for the last 10+ years.  You are right she probably couldn't afford to take a day off and maybe I shouldn't have told her she should go home.

BUT, saying that, all I asked her to do was turn a switch on her belt to move it so I could get the rest of my grocery shopping on it, so that if a customer came behind me, they too could get their groceries on it.  I wasn't asking for the earth, moon and stars.  All I wanted her to do was use a finger to press a switch.  I didn't deserve her reaction.

Also when she tried to make small talk, I did answer granted one word answers, but I did answer.  I didn't want to set her off again.

Could I have handled the situation better probably, but I didn't start this and I didn't think I was being totally unreasonable with my initial request.

I love how people post these critical comments under the ANONYMOUS banner and never put their names!

Anyhow, onwards and upwards onto better and more important things in life.  I have a dentist appointment to look forward to this morning....YEAH!!