New Employee at Caribou: His 1st & Last Day?

For most people, the first day of work can be intimidating.  Usually one would any extra flair in conversation and focus on efficiency in front of their new boss.  Yet, there are such rarities in life as 4 leave clovers.   Just moments ago at the Caribou Coffee drive thru, I had the privilege of encountering one of them first hand.  He came in the form of an overly peppy preppy who decided to shun social norms with an unnecessarily lengthy interaction. 

New Guy: "Hi.  Can you hold up for just a sec?"

Me: "Absolutely!" (I chose to ignore the fact that I looked up to see no cars ahead of me in the drive thru)

New Guy: "Ok, hey there, how's it going.  Can I start you off with a breakfast sandwich, oooo I mean what can I get for you?"

Me: "I'm great, how are you? (I'll admit I failed to pause to hear how he was, but I rationalized he was getting paid to ask how I was and probably could care less about my current emotional state) Can I get a small light roast coffee, and a diet coke?

New Guy: "Wow, hmmmm, that's a weird combination.  I wasn't expecting that.  A little hot and cold."

Me: "Oh, haha, I know, I'm fun like that."

New Guy: I guess we don't have light roast right now, I just asked, but luckily we do have a reindeer dark roast blend. 

Me: (I'm pretty sure his microphone never clicked off and I failed to hear him ask, but as a tip of the hat to Rudolph and this "Reindeer Blend" he spoke of I told him that it sounded like the best and that I'd take it.)

As I drove up to the window I saw my super happy helper being shamed by his superior.  The manager was asking him how long the guy behind me was waiting.  The manager also told my new little buddy that he needs to take orders as fast as he can and to do his best not to forget about the guy in the drive thru this time.  I sensed some hositility in the delivery of that gentle reminder.  It was at this moment I had time to notice the new guy's nametag.  I'd love to have you invest in my experience further by sharing with you his name, but I was too distracted by the "day changer or day maker" that he had hand written underneath.  I can't remember which one because the next few moments were so overwhelmingly magical.

New Guy: (completely rebelling against the urgency in his manager's voice) "Hey there!  So.....what's the answer to the trivia? " Go ahead take a peek (pointing to the window.)

TRIVIA: What president had a pet bear while in office?

Me: (My biggest fears are conflict and seeing people in uncomfortable situations.  Even though this guy appeared to be oblivious I still felt I shouldn't get him deeper into trouble by thinking through it, but trivia is trivia and winning is winning.  So I took a minute before responding.  I all of the sudden had a flash of Teddy Roosevelt holding a gun and went with it.)   "Ahhh, Roosevelt?"

New Guy: Bingo Bango!!!!! (He could not have looked more excited for me)

Me: Sweet! I'm a teacher and totally plan on peacocking this at snack tomorrow!

He factored in my trivia answer discount after taking my money, which then required him to give me change back.  He had to open a new roll of coins.  Which added more time to our transaction, which then provoked apologizing on my part for not just giving him my credit card to save time.  He said "you stop it.  Didn't ruin my day." As I prepared to drive off he proudly shouted at me:

 "You go tell your teachers you just rocked it! Woooooo!"

He obviously stopped listening.  I'm going to tell my students I rocked it, new guy,  not my teachers.  At this point correcting him wasn't an option, he had won me over with his Barney-esque approach to life.   All I could do is "wooooo" back at him while doing a mini fist pump. 

Tomorrow I plan to adopt his way of life.  When my kids are doing the potty dance, I will take my time addressing his or her bathroom request.  I'll refuse to band-aid a paper cut in record time.  And when a student shows me he or she has appropriately identified supplementary angles, I'll simply reply "bingo, bango, you just rocked that."

***My choice in color with the text tonight was intentional.  I have a tendency to appreciate the 55+ crowd.  It's a mixture of their good looks and winning personalities transending the years that gets me.  Sometimes I'm more shallow, as in the case of our former president, George Bush.  He had a great jaw, and strong looking hands. No one can deny tha. However, some members of the AARP crowd maintain both good looks and personalities with a swagger.  People such as John Gagliardi.  Hearing he retired from coaching Johnnie football today provoked the same sadness I felt when hearing Marbury was traded from the Timberwolves.  I'll hold my autographed football helmet a little tighter as I fall asleep tonight...