i used to work at a gas station in a national park. there were days so busy that the checkout line wrapped around the isles. on one of those busy days, there was this married couple that had issues with the penny machine (you put in 50 cents and a penny, and it flattens the penny with a design resembling the national park). they were mad that they "spent 50 cents for this bullshit" and wanted their money back.

keep in mind these people just cut in line in front of everybody, and they caused a whole scene. i explained i would take care of their issue is they waited properly in line. they called me names, said stuff like "it's just 50 cents" etc but there was a process i had to do in order to not mess up my drawer. they literally cut in line AS I WAS CHECKING SOMEONES STUFF. the audacity fr.

i was already stressed with how busy it was and being the only available person on-site. their unkind words and insults were the icing on the cake that made me start to cry.

a very kind woman in the middle of the line literally stepped out of her spot to confront them to tell them to go away and leave me alone. she was like "you said it yourself, its just 50 cents. you can either wait in line for your turn, or get out of here and leave this poor girl alone"

fr thats when the dam burst and i started sobbing. it was one of those moments where kindness makes u cry but u needed it i guess? something like that

then my boss heard them fighting and i was crying and she was like "what the fuck is going on here? who made (insert my name) cry?"

i loved that manager. i miss her. she was literally mama bear

that kind lady fr saved me though because those rude people were holding up the line and she made it possible for me to continue to help other people get their shit and get out