Buying wine and snacks at Trader Joe's

My friend from Washington State was in town for the weekend and we stopped into to Trader Joe's for some supplies.  I needed some wine first, before they closed on Saturday so I could make it through Sunday in Minnesota.  I grabbed two attractively-labeled bottles I had never tried and then made my way to the checkout line manned by a cute guy I wanted to check out!

I asked him if they still carried the Pinotage from South Africa with a giraffe on the bottle, because I had tried to find it and it was not there.  He very kindly went to look for it for me and brought me back a bottle.  I cannot figure out if they rearrange the store every time constantly or if their many stores look too similar while being so different.  With my stock of alcohol, I was in a good mood.  I made some comment about being from Wisconsin and how I had to get used to no liquor sales on Sundays.  The cute clerk responded that he was also from Wisconsin!  I had to know more.

"Where in Wisconsin?" I queried.  Madison was his answer.  I told him I went to West High and he said, with a smile, that he went to Memorial.  Why does anyone care about high schools anyway?  If you went to the same school and knew each other, then you would recognize each other, right?  We all find some crazy feelings of connection when the world is any bit small.

After he handed me my receipt, he said, "Well, nice to meet you, sort of."  What a cute and silly thing to say.  I offered my hand and said, "good to meet you too," and we officially met each other, making this checkout anything but a perfunctory interaction devoid of actual connection.

*****

My friend and I continued into the food section of Trader Joe's (yes, in Minnesota, they are separate, because alcohol is contagious!).  We did our shopping and had our samples, then found ourselves in the checkout line again.  The man here was less cute, but still seemed like a happy soul.  He said something to us about leaving our items in the cart and taking them out himself...and that simple instruction was the opening to further conversation.  I am amazed at how easily opportunity comes to connect with strangers.  

We chatted about turkey jerky, plans for the day, and the lotion Trader Joe's leaves out for customers to use at the counter.  It was another perfect moment...a perfect way two (or three) people could meet and a story could unfold.  I am learning to recognize the moments when doors are opened for me with the slightest touch...I do not have to go through the doors that require me to force them open.  Here's a toast to the path of least resistance!