General Discussion Board
The Man from Sbarro's..........kind of long.
Posted By: Barbi <BarbiJean8@aol.com> (152.175.140.66)
Date: Thursday, 9 March 2000, at 12:58 a.m.I'm in a total downer mood tonight, not really sure why except it's been UP and down for a couple of days now, damn these female hormones!!
Anyway, I have a berry wunnerful story that happened to me a few weeks ago, I've been planning to tell it here, and I thought maybe telling you about now it would jog my mood.
---------------------------------------A few weeks ago I met a guy online, we chatted a bit and he asked if I wanted to go to a movie on the weekend. I was bored and tired of being in the house and thought.... why not? So we arranged to meet in front of the All Star Cafe on Broadway at 1:30. I was late.
Yeah, I know... it's terrible, but you just don't know what traffic here is going to be like on any given day, and in my defense... I called him three times on my cell and left messages and beeped him once. He never contacted me back.
So I get to the meeting spot and wait a while, figuring he prolly gave up. I felt since I was a half hour late the least I should do is wait half an hour... lol. So I did.
That being done, I decided I'd check and see what movies were playing anyway. I did and the movie I wanted to see wasn't playing again for an hour and a half, I hadn't had lunch yet so stepped into the Sbarro's restaurant next door to the theater for some munch.
The restaurant was pretty busy. I don't know if all Sbarro's are the same but for this one you had to get in line, you tell the guys behind the counter what you want and they load it up for ya. This was one of those lines that doubles back on itself, or winds it's way to the counter, so as you approach the area to pick up a tray you are walking toward the people that are going through the line.
So I'm standing in line. It's prolly important to mention that unless I am actively smiling I look like I'm in a very bad mood, or pouting. So, when standing in a line and pondering whether or not I am scum for arriving late to meet someone, I don't look like a happy girl, even tho I was in quite a good mood.
I heard a man's voice kind of rise above the general hubbub but didn't hear what he was saying, it persisted so finally I started looking around to see what was going on. I traced the voice to a very good looking man, prolly in his late 30's, standing behind the serving counter, to my total surprise he was looking right at me. He smiled and said, "Yes, you pretty one, why don't you smile?" There was a whole row of people between me and the guy and they had all turned around to see who he was talking to. I was mortified! I was certain that they were thinking, "He can't be talking to that fat chick." I smiled, barely, thinking if I did then he'd be happy with that and go about his business.
He didn't go about his business. He said, "Ahhhh, there, you see? Such a pretty smile belongs in this pretty day." Now don't get me wrong, I was thoroughly flattered by this, but the attention of the crowd was making me uncomfortable. At this time the line moved a bit so I turned to move with it, Sbarro's Man winked at me as I started away, and I did smile in return.
In front of me was a very handsome teenage boy, maybe about 15. He kept kind of looking at me sideways, I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but as the happiness, extended from Sbarro's Man, seeped a bit deeper into me I became a bit more courageous, and made eye contact with him.
"That pizza looks pretty good." he finally said, nodding toward the numerous selections of pie.
"It does!" I answered, I wanted to be sure not to say anything to discourage him, "but I can't have any, I'm allergic to cheese. What kind are you having?"
"Allergic to cheese?" He was awestruck. lol "I would have to stop eating if I couldn't have anything with cheese!" Then he pointed at some pizza, "What do you think, that pepperoni looks pretty good."
And that was it, we became fast friends, discussing the pros and cons of different pizza, the need for it to be fresh, and zillions of other important pizza facts. *wink*
When we reached Sbarro's Man, he was grinning and asked, "What kind of pizza does such a beautiful girl eat?"
My teenage friend answered for me, "She can't eat pizza, can you believe it??"
I nodded in agreement, and asked with a wink "Unless you have any without cheese?"
He smiled and said, "If I had known, I'd have made one just for you." We all had quite a laugh at this, and then I shrugged and said, "Looks like it's spaghetti for me."
About this time my Sbarro's Man was called away(damnit) and my teen friend and I continued on our way. He asked my opinion of the rigatoni and mozzarella dish, I thought it looked yummy. He really wanted the chicken parmesan but it didn't have enough cheese, I suggested he ask for extra. His family already had their food and were waiting for him at the cashier! But he waited while I picked out my food saying the spaghetti didn't look too bad(he was lying of course....to be nice). And once I had my food he wished me a nice day, I did the same, he trailed off to find his family and our friendship came to an end(sob).
I found a spot to eat(the spaghetti really did suck) and as I ate I realized it was silly for me to pay for parking while I was at a movie, when I could drive home, go to a movie there and park for free.
Once this occurred to me I was in a hurry as it's ten dollars an hour to park. I finished my meal, and headed out the door. As I was walking out I saw my sweet counter man, he grinned, raised his hand, waved, and said, "You have a beautiful day beautiful!" No longer concerned about what anyone thought, I gave him the biggest smile I have, and said, "Thank YOU so much, you have a great day too." He winked and I floated out to the street.
-------------------------------------------Well, that DID cheer me up. Remembering that day will put a smile on my face for a long time to come.
As I drove home I thought about the conversations we have here at Abundance. At that point some of the discussion was about making a positive impact on others, being an ambassador for large people. Granted, the counter man was really flattering, my heart jumps when I think about it. But I also felt SO great about the teenage boy. So happy that he had felt comfortable talking to me, that he didn't just talk to me but that we actually had some sort of silly, short term bonding thing happening. Most teenage boys in my experience aren't in the least bit comfortable with larger people, and many go out of their way to make sure that everyone around them knows it.
I don't know if he is always comfortable around large people, or if I was just another person he struck up a conversation with. Maybe at 15 he is already comfortable with people of any size, but if not, I hope after our experience he is another step closer to accepting people of all sizes. =)
And to the Man from Sbarro's........ I LOVE YOU!!!!!! =)
Barbi