Before beginning college, I received only the occasional package- perhaps a present from a family member, or an irresponsible online purchase. In college however, packages are a commonplace. Its a pretty disappointing week if I don't get a box of goodies from someone I know.
And, when you're 483 miles from your loved ones, you get to send packages too! I honestly loving sending packages more than I love getting them. Its a great excuse to buy anything you please in Target's dollar section without feeling guilty.
A month or so into college, my poor boyfriend got a cold. Not exactly a surprise when you live in close quarters with a bunch of other guys, but still truly tragic. Well, being the great girlfriend I am, I hit up Target and boxed up a bunch of 'get better soon' goods. That was the fun part.
I realized soon after that I was ill-equipped to send a package. I had received many a package, but I had never sent one! I didn't have any tape to seal my box, and I didn't even know where the closest post office was, or how much it would cost me. I did exactly what you're supposed to do- I asked my RA. She told me where the post office was, and sent me to the front desk in my building to ask for some tape.
This is when things get suspicious. The people at the front desk 'went to look' for some tape for about 12 seconds before informing me that they didn't have any. "Don't worry", they assured me. "They'll have some tape behind the counter at the post office you can use."
So, I trekked to the post office, the top of my box flapping pathetically in the wind. When I got there, I waited my turn in line and asked the man behind the counter if he had any tape I could use, and where the address labels were for the box. He narrowed his eyes at me before jabbing his finger twice, first at a rack of tape for sale, then at the labels, which were on a table behind me.
I pursed my lips a little at his rudeness, but picked up a roll of tape. "You can pay for it when you pay for your box," he said. I nodded, and stepped out of line to pack up my box.
"The next person who is actually ready, please step up!"
 |
I brought my taped up box back to the man, terrified of what he would say next. He weighed my box, and the price popped up on the card scanner in front of me. I handed him my roll of tape. He scanned it. $3.96
My day was ruined. I moped around my dorm, feeling the emptiness of my wallet and the cold grip of betrayal on my heart. But time does heal, and eventually the pain faded.
I ventured back to the post office a few weeks later with Klaudia in tow for emotional support. Contrary to my hopes and prayers, the rude man was there. As we waited in line, I watched a poor soul approach his register. "Do you have some tape back there I could use?" the man asked. I shook my head, full of sadness for this man who was about to be crushed by bureaucracy.
The post office man reached down under the counter. "Of course we do!"
My eyes bulged out. The vein in my neck started to pulse. My fingers twitched. Klaudia began laughing.
I left that day a changed person. I had entered the post office a few weeks before a young girl with an innocent trust in the fairness of government. I left a woman, a battled hardened warrior from my fight against the bureaucracy. I learned a valuable lesson that day. The adult world is a rough place. Government is not your friend. But, nonetheless, if you ever want a package from me....
None of these pics/ gifs are mine :)
This post made me lol :)
ReplyDelete