The Slice: You can’t put a price on patience

Paul Turner is taking some time off this summer. In his absence, we dive into the archives at Slice Central. Today, we revisit July 18, 1998.

Maybe it was new software.

Or perhaps they were altogether new computerized cash registers.

In any case, the checkers at the Rosauers on 29th were struggling.

One couldn’t figure out how to ring up a newspaper without the receipt incorrectly indicating that it was a taxable item. The guy who tried to help her couldn’t either. Finally, a third store employee solved the problem. Sort of.

Not far away, other cashiers were dealing with similar challenges.

These problems caused minor delays. But none of the customers seemed annoyed.

It struck us that, in 1998, it’s probably true that most people have been in the cashiers’ shoes at one time or another. And even if patience seems in short supply these days, maybe the experience of wrestling with a high-tech hassle is such a universally understood predicament that those being inconvenienced are willing, at least for a moment, to live by the rebooted Golden Rule.

“Treat others experiencing computer problems as you would have them treat you when you can’t get your own computer to work.”

Location, location, location: Ken Martin wonders how many other Spokane-area parents have spent a fair amount of time this summer trying to find a flat and level spot for a kiddie pool in the back yard.

Explaining roadkill: “I thought by now every parent knew the sad but simple answer to a child’s question about roadkill,” wrote Betty Noel: “He forgot to look both ways.”

Nine signs that you don’t fit in with the culture of your workplace: 1. Your colleagues think it’s weird when you talk about building relationships with customers.

2. You hate everyone.

3. Everyone hates you.

4. Your sense of humor offends.

5. You believe that most of your company’s star players are idiots.

6. The only managers you’d be willing to suck up to have no power.

7. It bugs you that certain people are allowed unlimited fake sick days.

8. Office morale-boosting efforts always leave you feeling depressed.

9. You wear wacky outfits and change your hairstyle every week but nobody notices.

“Safe and sound”: That was 6-year-old Blake Yirak’s comment upon trying on an athletic supporter complete with a protective cup.