thy name is narcissism

I've been reading The Narcissism Epidemic, by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell. It's not that I hadn't noticed how narcissistic we have become. People are so wrapped up in their cocoons of self absorption that even acknowledging the existence of anyone else is seen as not just infringement, but almost a sign of weakness. Today's narcissistic interlude: Jean Coutu. I don't like going there on Sundays because the cashier who works there is the slowest, dumbest of the lot and inevitably has a long line at her cash. But there I was, because I had forgotten this little fact. When it got to the woman in front of me, she had a raincheck. Fuck. I would die there and my body would be found still clutching my items. The cashier suggested she take the form and go to the cosmetics counter, where they could fill it out and there was no line.

Instead of seeing an opportunity, the young woman saw this as an insult. "I stood in line, it's my right." I said to her, "She's suggesting that you go to cosmetics because there's no line there and you're not buying anything." She said, "Well I stood in line and it's my right." I realized there was no point in explaining this; it would be wasted time which I would not get back on my deathbed. "Whatever," I said. "I'll go to cosmetics." At cosmetics the young cashier was in the aisle involved with a haggle of some sort. There was still a long line at the other cash, although the young woman had left. I said aloud (but not loudly) "Who do I have to fuck to get out of here?" I called out to the cosmetics cashier. 'HELLO!' The cashier seemed to be relieved that I had rescued her from the woman who, I sensed, would not let up. "I am sorry," I said, "But I am overheated, there is a long line and I really do want to pay for my item and go." She smiled and said she understood, but the other woman still hectored her with questions.

It's not entirely the fault of Jean Coutu. It's a combination of bad service combined with an increasingly narcissistic population. I am rarely, if ever, rude to staff, always thank them for their efforts and don't abuse or insult them. I am not a patient soul but I keep it in my own mind and curse inwardly. I don't think "SERVICE" means I need or expect a servant. I am probably in the minority, as I saw with the woman in front of me in line. It's her right to be served after waiting in line; but she's so oblivious to the world around her that she can't even see an opportunity to get out of there faster. entirely unconcerned that there are six people behind her who are overheated, frustrated and eager to get out. However, I took advantage of her cluelessness and got out of a long line.

The advantages of narcissism, as Twenge and Campbell point out, are short lived. You may get the job by conning people and manipulating them: but you can't lie your way around your lack of skills or knowledge. You may get the attention you want, but you'll lose it when people around you weary of having to dote on your ego.

The other moral to this story: Never go to Jean coutu on a Sunday.