My Journal

Today, while waiting in line for the H-Mart cashier in K-town, an old lady cuts me to the counter which was not ready to receive customers, hence I remained waiting afar. The store is so packed that the old lady actually squeezed herself between me and whatever.

As she waited for the unprepared cashier, I was interrupted by a young Asian lady (possibly Korean) behind me. I imagined (I had my headset on) she was asking me if I was waiting in line. I told her the old lady cut me. She asked why I didn't tell her.

If it were more people doing it, I would do something about it. This is an old lady who probably got sore feet or something. I was angry at the old lady, but I was also trying to be patient. If it wasn't done to me but others, I would yell. I responded to the young lady loudly, hoping the old lady would also hear it: "People like her just loves to cut line.", she then insisted that I should have explained to the old lady. It's a busy line, I doubt there's time to make a scene. So I immediately responded, loudly but kindly again: "I doubt she would understand me anyway." (showing my discrimination on the old lady's English skill), what followed was either a snort or a chuckle, I couldn't tell. Since I was facing her, thus was blind to what's going on at the cash registers, she signaled me another of the 3 cashiers was ready for me. I went, I believe she went to the second cashier about the same time, and I believe we both finished our business before the old lady. I still think the old lady had no clue of what's going on.

I believe I could have done more...like put an act of yelling at the old lady nicely and if she turns back, I'll make a brief complaint, only in response to the "Korean" girl's request, because my turn is up in another cashier in about 10 seconds, there's no point in making long conversation.

I had thought about taking a video/photo of the old lady, but that is immature and wicked in seeking to provoke a satisfied fight rather than obtaining a simple evidence in journalism.

After this experience, I kept wonder if there's a better way to glorify God. I shall leave it in Reflection Category then.

It is possible, in some occasions, when those out of good intention but under unjust means, obtain benefit for us and we take it justly. On the rest of the other occasions, we do not get ourselves involve at all whatsoever.

But when we take it, we remind ourselves not to follow their injustice. Their good intention is annulled.

It is just, for us, because what's done is done and there's no need to leave things to waste. It is crucial also that we do not hold dear to those benefits which are procured by others unjustly, despite their significant values held dearly by others. What we have received we keep them responsibly.

Are we to be grateful to them? Yes. Do we owe them anything? No, we shouldn't, nor do we need to make up our own repayment to them. How is this grateful them? It is not what they do that we are grateful, but what we receive that we are grateful of.

If there is a need to return a favor, there is no need to give one, for there is no favor owed. There was no lesson learned from them but from ourselves, that we be less self-involved. If we help anyone, it is based on our better judgment, not on any favor that was based on unjust means.