I was out running errands last weekend and stopped at Wendy’s for lunch. While I was eating there, I saw a troop of girl scouts setting up a table outside next to the drive-through exit.
It was a windy day and they were having trouble with the tablecloth and the rest of their setup.
I read my book while I ate and kept an eye on their progress. Several cars went past them as they exited the drive-through, but none were stopping.
I finished my meal and threw away my trash. As I went out to my car, I had a quick mental debate:
On the one hand, that age of girl is impossibly annoying. High pitched voices, constant chatter, and prone to inept displays of cheerleading routines. I reflexively avoid them. I’m also not overly fond of having kids fundraise – seems like a bad idea to put them to work in sales from a young age. Just let kids be kids, you know?
On the other hand, maybe I just need to give my inner curmudgeon a break. They were going to be out there even if no one buys a single box, but how disappointing that would be. And their moms were trying. And I had cash in my wallet and I do like cookies.
So, I put my book in my car, got my wallet out, and headed over to where they had the table set up. As expected, one girl was shouting out some random math problems her calculator had solved. Annoying. Two others were working on a cheer routine. And it was general chaos.
But, the little girl in charge of inventory went and got the box of Thin Mints as soon as I said what I wanted. And, with a little help from a mom, another girl figured out my change.
They thanked me for my purchase and I walked back to my car. I had to go past them again as I pulled out of the parking lot and saw a couple approach their table. So, perhaps I had started a sales trend.
The cookies are in the refrigerator until I forget about them and then have a nice surprise later.
For all my debate, In the end, it was just a box of cookies.