Bloomsday Chit-Chat A Non-Starter
It wasn’t what you would call a scientific experiment.
Let’s just say it was a matter of curiosity.
There are lots of reasons people don’t participate in Bloomsday. But is there anyone around here who doesn’t at least feel compelled to talk about the annual event as the starting time draws near?
It’s a simple matter to steer clear of the race. But can you avoid the chit-chat, too?
So here’s the deal. I wondered if Spokane convenience store clerks working on Sunday morning would feel obliged to note that their customers were not doing Bloomsday.
Here’s my log.
7:55, Exxon at 43rd and Scott. Purchased Cranberry Juice Cocktail.
Clerk: “That gonna do it for ya?”
Bloomsday banter: zero.
8:03, Exxon at 29th and Grand. Purchased Orange Tropic Snapple.
Clerk: “Ninety nine cents.”
Bloomsday banter: None. (But breathless pre-race coverage could be heard coming from a radio in the store.)
8:10, 7-Eleven at 30th and Regal. Purchased Thomas Kemper Original Recipe Orange Cream Soda.
Clerk: “Anything else today?”
Bloomsday banter: zero.
8:16, Texaco at Ray and 17th. Purchased can of Squirt.
Clerk: “That it for ya?”
Bloomsday banter: zero.
8:21, 7-Eleven at Thor and Fifth. Purchased Kiwi-Strawberry Snapple.
Clerk: “Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you standing there.”
Bloomsday banter: “I wish I didn’t have to mow the lawn or I’d be out there running that Bloomsday,” an unshaven customer at the next register said with a wink and a smile. “Yeah, but my wife says I’ve got to mow the lawn. So that’s all there is to it.”
8:30, Texaco at Fancher and Alki.
Closed.
8:32, Chevron at Fancher and Broadway. Purchased a V-8.
Guy ahead of me in line asks the clerk if she knows where he can find a car wash. She offers a suggestion. The guy weighs her recommendation and says it’s too far away.
Bloomsday banter: zero.
8:46, Exxon at Hamilton and Sharp. Purchased a Mistic Rain Forest Amazon Cherry.
Clerk: “That everything?”
College-age guy standing nearby scratching lottery cards and muttering.
Bloomsday banter: zero.
8:58, Bong’s at Boone and Belt. Purchased a Slice Mandarin Orange.
Clerk: “Have a nice day.”
Helicopters can be heard. Must be something going on somewhere.