Thursday, October 25, 2012

Bottoms Up


Ron and I went shopping for groceries together earlier this week. When we got to the cash, I noticed that new card-swiping machines (for want of a better term) had been installed since our last visit. After the cashier had rung up the total, she asked how I would be paying.

"American Express," I replied.

"Swipe your card," she said, indicating the little machine before me. Up until then, customers didn't swipe their own cards, but handed them over to the person on the other side of the conveyer belt. This was a new procedure but I figured it wasn't a big deal. I looked down at the screen.


Welcome

Swipe your card


I swiped.


Invalid action  
Try again


I swiped again.


Invalid action  
Try again


I swiped for the third time.


Card is invalid
Transaction aborted


"No it's not!" I protested, and glanced around to see who was watching and thinking I had exceeded my credit limit or worse, that I was using a stolen card.

The cashier said, "Let's try it again." She reset the machine, then took my card and swiped it, running the card through the slot with an upward motion, in the opposite direction to the one I had tried. The screen blinked, thought a moment, then flickered.



Approved



So that's the trick. Swipe the other way," I remarked.

"Bottoms up," Ron commented. "You should be able to remember that." He leered knowingly at me.

The cashier and the customers behind us must have wondered why we both thought that was so funny. We chuckled all the way to the car. I have a feeling that we are going to refer to that particular grocery store as "bottoms up" from now on.

From Hermione's Heart

18 comments:

garyntboy said...

After dropping my son off at a bus stop last week I saw a bus that had a sign on the back reading '79 belted seats'. I'd love to take a trip on that bus full of sore bottoms. Will try and get a pic for you if I see it again.

Roz said...

LOL, I love these moments, the little private jokes just between us. Isn't it funny how you see spanking references everywhere?

Love the comment above too - classic Lol

Anonymous said...

Very cute story.

SNP said...

I, too, enjoy a private joke like that with my husband or family. It makes life more fun.
Happy Thursday and Bottoms Up!

lilmisses said...

Lol! Love the private jokes. :)

ronnie said...

Don't you love the little jokes only the two of you know about. You do get some looks sometimes though.

Love,
Ronnie
xx

Unknown said...

That is so cute :D I get so embarrassed when Ryan makes comments like that in public, although I know no one has any clue what he is talking about....guilty conscious I guess ;)

Aimless Rambling said...

I love those private jokes too and it's funny that if that's the way your mind works you see things everywhere you go.

Blondie said...

That is a cute story. Bottoms up is a good description and that you have a personal joke with him will always make you smile as you check out with your card (bottoms up).

Hermione said...

Gary - I would love to see that picture.

Roz - Yep, spanking things are everywhere.

Joey - Thanks.

SNP - It sure does make life more fun to have an inside joke or two.

Lilmisses - Me too.

Ronnie - Yes, we get strange looks sometimes but that's part of the fun.

Lucy Lou -Welcome! I have long since stopped being embarrassed.

Sunnygirl - That is definitely the way our minds work.

Blondie - I will certainly remember to say that each time.

Hugs,
Hermione

Erica said...

Perfect! Wonder if the cashier figured out the joke. :-D

sixofthebest said...

Hermione, Thanks, for the spanks at the banks.

ricky said...

Love your story and everyone's comments. Vive l'innuendo!
But don't do think cashiers are a
little bit, err, shall we say,
sadistic?
'Here, I'll show you how to do it.'
Don't you just hate them?

abby said...

I will remember every time I swipe my card....cute story!
hugs abby

Anastasia Vitsky said...

LOL!!! Priceless.

Hermione said...

Erica - English was not her first language so I suspect she didn't.

Six - You're most welcome.

Ricky - Yes, it did make me feel incompetent, but they seem to have he knack for swiping.

Abby - Enjoy the feeling!

Ana - Thanks.

Hugs,
Hermione

Anonymous said...

love it... bottoms up
Red

Hermione said...

Red - I thought of you and your signature line too.

Hugs,
Hermione