I have to get some regular medications from the pharmacy, which involves using a script and waiting for the pharmacist to sort it out. Usually, this will take about half an hour just because the pharmacy is always busy with other people’s stuff, as well.
I also have to take hay fever medication every day, and because I have to cycle through them (some work better at different times of the year), I generally know a bit about the ones they have stocked at the pharmacy.
The waiting area for prescription medications just so happens to be in front of the hay fever medication. I’m a naturally introverted person and will often avoid unnecessary social interaction, but I also like to be helpful where I can, especially if someone looks confused. This was one of those times, but it kind of dominoed on me.
I was about ten minutes into my wait when I saw a man in his twenties looking at the hay fever medication with sheer bewilderment on his face. After a couple of minutes of his indecision, I stepped in to offer my help.
Me: “You seem lost. What are you after?”
Man: “Uh… Just, like, something for a runny nose.”
Me: “Is it an all-the-time thing or just occasionally?”
Man: “It’s just on and off.”
Me: “I would recommend the [Pill Brand #1] since it’s the cheapest and works best for snot.”
He looked at it for a couple of seconds, shrugged, and went on his way reading the box. It was a job well done, and I went back to waiting. Or so I thought.
A second later, I got a hesitant tap on the shoulder from a woman in her twenties.
Lady: “Excuse me. Do you know which one I should use for everyday use?”
Me: “Well, it depends on what symptoms you’re trying to get rid of. Snot, cough, sneezing, or itchiness?”
Lady: “Um, I guess mostly itchiness, but occasionally, cough.”
Me: “You could go with either [Pill Brand #2] or [Nasal Spray]. If it’s mostly itchiness, I would recommend [Nasal Spray] as that works best for me. But if you don’t like nasal spray, [Pill Brand #2] does well.”
Lady: “I think I’ll go with the [Pill Brand #2]; I’ve not done nasal spray before. Thank you.”
Me: “Not a problem.”
Looking around, I saw a couple looking hopefully in my direction. With an internal sigh, I asked if they need help.
Couple: “You wouldn’t happen to know where baby formula is?”
Me: “Ah, not exactly. However, the baby stuff I have seen is in aisle four. I think it would be about halfway down since I know those are tins of some sort. I’ve not paid any attention to know what’s in the tins, though, sorry.”
Couple: “Okay, thank you. We’ll start there. Thanks.”
And off they went. At this point, I didn’t see anyone else looking like they were waiting for help, so I thought I was free to do more of my own waiting.
Then, an elderly lady snuck up behind me like a ninja.
Elderly Ninja: “Excuse me, sir. Do you know where they keep the hay fever eye drops? I couldn’t see them with any of the other hay fever stuff, and I heard you helping the other people, so…”
Me: “Of course. They keep it in the eye aisle.” *Which is fun to say, by the way* “Do you need it for itchiness or dryness?”
Elderly Ninja: “Um, mostly for dryness, I guess. I never really thought of it.”
Me: “Okay, I would recommend this one.”
I grabbed the blue-packaged [Eyedrop Brand #1].
Me: “It has a mild active ingredient for general allergies but is focused on lubricating rather than just hay fever. You could get the stronger one…” *gesturing to a red bottle* “…but I find it can dry the eyes a bit.”
Elderly Ninja: “Thank you so much. You know, you’re the only person that’s been any help in this store. You should put in an application and then ask for a raise.”
And off she wandered into the shadows, chuckling at her own humour.
Getting back to my waiting spot, I looked at the clock, and I was now only about twenty minutes into my expected half-hour wait, so I settled back in.
Pharmacist: “What was your name?”
Me: “Oh, it’s [My Name].”
Pharmacist: “Okay, give me a minute.”
He riffled through his papers for a second and then grabbed my stuff.
Pharmacist: “Thanks for helping. Here you go.”
Me: “Oh, thanks! I wasn’t expecting you to push me to the front of the queue.”
Pharmacist: “And I wasn’t expecting you to help half the customers in the store.”
And with that, I took my drugs and went home with a spent social battery.
