Whistle While You (Don’t Work)

Bosses & Owners, Coworkers, Craft Store, Current Events, Minnesota, Retail, Silly, USA | Working | May 13, 2020


It’s Wednesday, around 1:30 or 2:00 pm. I’ve just gotten off the register after helping several customers in a row. We’re waiting on our governor to have another press conference related to the global health situation at 2:00 pm.

My assistant manager is heading toward the same part of the store I am after also doing something up front.

Me: “Is it terrible that I want to say ‘Happy Quarantine’ to every customer I help today?”

Assistant Manager: “Oh, my gosh. Do it, [My Name]! That would be great.”

Me: “Or, like, ‘Happy Lockdown’? I don’t know which is worse.”

Assistant Manager: *Sing-song-ish* “Say it with a smile on your face!”

My co-manager is walking past to go to lunch.

Co-Manager: “Who’s smiling?”

Me: “Me! As usual.”

I laugh as I walk away. Within an hour, our co-manager comes back from his lunch break, giddy that the governor has issued further stay-at-home orders, and our store will be closed starting after business hours Friday. A bit later in the day:

Coworker: “Did you see [Co-Manager]?”

Me: “Not recently, but I heard him singing earlier.”

Coworker: “He was dancing.” *Laughs*

Me: “Sounds right. Oh, [Co-Manager].”

He often sings when he’s bored or excited, but I’ve rarely or never seen him dance. I wish I had! He’s so excited for a break, and I can’t say I blame him.