Being a regular

When you live in a semi-small town, are a creature of habit, and in addition make a strong impression on people visually, as I do, you are officially recognized and gain the status of a “regular” just about everywhere. It can be a nuisance and a blessing. You get a lot of attention, awkward at times, but beneficial as well. It started at me favorite bar, Hell, back when I was more of a barfly. The place where everyone truly knew my name. The bouncer would carry me up and down the stairs and occasionally park my car when it was raining. The bartender would greet me with a smile and “red wine, Ann?” then proceed to give me a very full glass. I go to the bank and the tellers make a big deal about not needing to see my ID: “We know you, Ann”! At the CVS on the corner, the Wynnsong movie theater, and Cold Stone Creamery, I often hear “hey friend, where you been?” and “haven’t seen you in awhile, you been okay?” Lately it’s TCBY, where I frequent often. About two weeks ago, I was having a yogurt at the Chapel Hill store when a friendly man approached my table to introduce himself, “Hi, I’m Bob.” I may have been alarmed until I noticed the TCBY on his shirt. He told me he was the new owner, that he had seen me there last weekend and earlier that week at the Durham store, and that he was happy to have good and loyal customers like me. It was sort of embarrassing, but then I considered how I could use the situation to my advantage. At just the right moment, I plan to share with Bob my requests and suggestions: more consistent and greater selection of no sugar added flavors, complete abolishment of the bubble gum flavor (yuck, big mistake!), and if possible, use of better cones that don’t seep through so easily. Maybe he’s locked into the cone deal due to the franchise thing, but it’s worth a shot. Yesterday I was in the Chapel Hill store again, at my same table no less, when I saw Bob. He said “Hi! Haven’t seen you in a few days, and I was worried you were sick.” It was nice to think Bob cared about my health and wellbeing, and actually, I had been a bit under the weather that weekend. However, I had indeed been there the two days before as well, I just sent Paul in to retrieve a cone while I waited in the car. I didn’t tell Bob this. Paul will meet Bob in his own time.