Fathers Day
June 21, 2007
Its early in the morning on June 17. People are filing in to grab a newspaper to supplement their coffee purchases. I’m on one of two of the front registers this morning. Since this is a special Sunday the crowd is different, its a holiday. Hallmark cards are clearly going to be today’s best sellers… it is a Hallmark holiday, Fathers Day. My goal for that day was to greet everyone with a smile and wish all of the men within reason a “Happy Fathers Day”. So far, so good, but about an hour into my shift, my plan hits a wall. So far I’ve received warm smiles from everyone, everyone seems excited to have a nice lunch or dinner with their families to celebrate a day of thanks. And, all the men have responded positively to my wishing them a happy Fathers Day. There is a steady stream of customers, so I am unable to look up, but then I see my dilemma.
A priest walks onto my line.
Fathers Day has to be a priests least favorite holiday.
If I wish him a happy fathers day, it would be true because he is a “father”. But it would also be me mocking his devotion to his religion by declaring celibacy in the name of the big father. To avoid getting fired or just the awkwardness that would have ensued following my warm salutation, I just told him to “Have a great day”.
