Cash-short customer and grocery clerk both were hostile when I didn’t pick up the bill
Dear Abby,
Not long ago, while waiting in line at the grocery store, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation. A young woman ahead of me had about seven or eight items. Partway through checkout, she realized she’d forgotten something and ran back to grab it, leaving her groceries on the belt. No big deal — it happens.
When she returned, I noticed she was buying all name-brand products, including an $8 jar of spaghetti sauce. She used up the remaining balance on her food stamp card, added some cash, and still came up short. Then she turned to look at me — and so did the cashier and bagger, who both seemed to know her — as if they expected me to cover the difference.
Normally, I’m happy to help when I can, but at the time, my only income was $150 a month in food assistance. I suppose I could have gently suggested she switch to cheaper store brands, but I didn’t. The longer the awkward silence dragged on, the more uncomfortable things became. The customer’s frustration and the workers’ judgment were palpable. Finally, the bagger pulled out her own credit card and paid the remaining amount.
Ever since, I’ve been torn about whether I did the right thing by refusing to pay. Was I wrong to hold my ground, or was I justified in protecting what little I had?
— Unsure in Arizona
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