I’m at Goodwill, and I have found a lovely dress and a few other odds and ends. I head up to the cashier. Darn. A longish line, about three folks ahead of me. I make a quick decision, I will wait it out. I settle into my space in line, and begin observing. Then, I see the woman in front of me in line. I see her carriage overflowing.

13 sweaters, and she just stands in line … Waiting waiting waiting . I’m thinking you could take them off the hangers to get a head start. Not a chance. More important to watch the cashier ring up the other people in front of her.  Oh, who knew!!!  They need to come off the hangers? Who could have guessed at that.  Now, will she take the time to do each one, very carefully, taking the hanger out from the bottom?  You don’t want to stretch the necks out; that I get.

The time has come at last. It is her turn at the register with the cashier. She slowly rolls her cart forward. Good news! She has no visible concerns about neck hole stretch with her sweaters. I make that assessment based on how she practically rips the hangers out of each sweater, right through the neck hole at the top. She moves fast. I’m actually a  little surprised she does not just heave the 13 sweaters onto a heaping pile on the counter in front of the cashier. I am pleased she takes responsibility for her 13 sweaters and works with the cashier to move it along. It’s about give and take, working with folks, not expecting to be served, rather partnering with folks to get it done.