Awkwaaaaaard

We’ve all had reallyreally awkward moments in our lives. And so have I. But something happened the other day and I think it may have been the awkward moment to top them all.

Let’s lay out the situation. I don’t know how this works across the world, but in my town, when you have electrical equipment that’s old or broken, you can hand it in at the local thrift shop. It’s just a drop-off point, after which it either gets a new owner, or it’s properly taken care of. I think it’s a great idea, it saves the environment and it’s important in the fight against waste.

Usually, this is about toasters and computer screens and old headphones and stuff. But I’m Noëlle, and Noëlle has a few other things, too. Things that go buzz and make me get all giddy and twitchy. You know, toys ;p

So I put my old ones in a plastic bag and went to the thrift shop. I waited in line (there’s usually no line) and when it was my turn, I placed the bag on the counter.

“What’s in it?” the guy asked.

Umm. Do I have to say it out loud?

He didn’t wait for me. He didn’t even look! He just reached in and yanked one out. A pink one, one of my first AliExpress deliveries, years ago. I could feel the people standing in line behind me.

“Well, it’s a few of those,” I said.

“Do they work?”

Then he EMPTIED THE BAG and gave it back to me. Four buzztoys all over the counter. I couldn’t even bring myself to turn my head, but I knew everybody was watching.

I just nodded and waited for him to put them away. Then I left. Maybe I should have owned the situation a bit more, but it was soooo unexpected and I just didn’t know what to do.

Next time, I’ll just throw them in the bin ;p