On Wednesday I just had a gas station refuse the audit. The clerk called her manager and wouldn't read her the LOA, just said, "Some guy is here and wants to take pictures." I tell her I'm not a guy wanting to take pictures, I'm here for an audit, read your manager the letter. Eventually the manager said okay. I start, and then the District Manager calls and tells them to tell me to stop...nice way to spend a rainy day.

I go to the next station and, after doing the audit, I decide to stay for lunch because their food is smell so good. I was the only "whitey" in the store and the store manager [female, African-American, about my age] sits down with me. We chat while I eat and, out of the blue, she asks me what I'm doing for Thanksgiving. I tell her that, since I live alone, I've got a Cornish hen. She invited me to have Thanksgiving dinner with her family. I thanked her and politely declined. First, it would be about a 225 mile round trip from my house to hers and back, but more important [and if you haven't lived in the south, you might not understand this] I didn't have anything to bring. She said I didn't need to bring anything, and I told her that I understood that, but being as we live in the south, I would have to bring something. We both shared a laugh, but it gave me a glimmer of hope that maybe there is hope for us.

Thanks for a good-news story, James, and a reminder of that southern hospitality I occasionally miss!

My wife also related a good-news story from a crowded grocery store (non-shop) from Wednesday. As she stood in lines at three different places, she was able to chat with with other "ladies-in-waiting." (yes, Grammarians, I know that is incorrect...) As she got to the checkout line she once again enjoyed small talk with the lady in front of her. When they finally got to the checkout, they were laughing about 1) "If I forgot anything, I'm sending my HUSBAND out for it." and 2) "Uh, no. If I don't have it, we're doing without it!" As the lady in front pulled the last two items out of her cart, my wife started laughing again. When the lady asked why, my wife replied that she HAD forgotten something--the very item the lady had just unloaded a pair of. They both laughed and the lady paid her bill. They wished each other Happy Thanksgiving and then the lady paused and reached into her cart and tried to hand my wife one of those items!

In a true southern fashion, they gently argued about "I can't" and "I insist" and "No, really" until the lady won with, "It's a chance for me to do something nice. You're not going to deny me that on the day before Thanksgiving, are you?" Surrender.

Her gracious gift was still giving when my wife shared the story at the table yesterday...

Yes, maybe there is hope. Change that - there is hope.

Great stories! Thank you both for sharing.

Yes, James is right. It's not done if you can't bring something. But James, if you're in my neck of the woods next year; all I ever ask for is a good appetite and a happy attitude. If you must bring something. I always forget the cranberry sauce with the berries in it.

NSSGuy, Wednesday morning was all about everyone helping each other. Husbands just kept saying yes dear, where next dear. I did get to the store before 9 am.

Just finished a route of 27 gas stations. Plenty of cause for dismay, but the inspiration won out.
1) Isaac from Sudan - I've been seeing him 1-4 times per year for three years, but haven't seen him for a year. I told him his English was really improving. He beamed as he told me that he was taking English courses at the local community college, and after nine months it was now good enough that he could take other courses as well.
2) No Name Tag from southeast Asia. She grinned as she told me at the start of my audit that the location was spotless. It was. She told me that she came in an hour before her opening shift started so that she could wipe down the pumps, sweep the sidewalk, empty the trash, vacuum the mats, and clean the restrooms. She said that she was proud to have everything be clean for everyone.
3) Zee from southwest Asia explained how he cut the POP with a straight edge and yard stick every time it was delivered so that it would fit the frames that had never been replaced when the station changed brands. He begged me to tell him if anything was wrong at the end of the audit, because he'd want to get it perfect next time.
4) Juan from somewhere south of the U.S. - When a rented school bus filled with drunken private college coeds pulled up, they couldn't wait for the restrooms and began just squatting behind the propane tank stands. Juan asked if this was legal in the U.S. I told him it was not, and that he should call the police. He said, "No. They will leave. And then I can still be here and I can work."
I know nothing about any of these individuals' status or documentation, but doggone I was inspired by their sincere desire to work, and to do a really good job while they work. This is still a land of opportunity, and I am humbled by those who respond to such opportunity by offering their best.

What great stories! Yes, there is hope. Happy Holidays everyone!

This happened to me a few months sgo. It was magic. I can't explain it, I can just tell you what happened.

I had gone to the grocery store and gotten some things, but there was something I could not remember, and it was important. I was standing there with my cart, thinking, when an older black man walked by me and looked at me sort of funny. I smiled and said I was trying to figure out what item I needed that I could not remember. He smiled, walked a few more steps, then turned around and said to me, "Do you know where the lemon juice is?" My mouth fell open, as organic lemon juice was the THING I needed. I said OMG that was what I needed and THEN he said, "I know where it is, I will take you to it." Well, I knew where it was, too..but had he not just asked me? I was kind of in a daze as I followed him to the juice, and thanked him.
It was too weird. I will never forget it. Was he some kinda angel?

The DM refused the audit? Usually they're the ones that are supposed to square it with the manager/owner if they balk. That should make for an interesting report. Glad to hear you had some good stuff to balance it with!

What great stories. Thank you all for sharing. I really enjoyed them.

Cricrettt, that had to be magic. :-)

Hey MA Smith, next time bring home some cranberries and a small apple. Put cranberries into a small sauce pan and cover with barely enough water to cover them. Chunk the apple so it fits into a garlic press and press over the sauce pan to add into cranberry water. Add about 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let simmer until it becomes syrupy. Let cool then place into blender and make as smooth as you like. Add a touch more water and simmer till it becomes thicker. Let cool. Serve at dinner. It actually is easier than I am making it sound. It is also so much better then the store!

James - I will bring the corn bread and apple pie if you bring the cornish hens for Thanksgiving next year - or hey how does Easter sound?

My email has been shut down im not sure why. Did I try to many times or what sentry market?

All the wonderful stories on this thread was like an early Christmas present. I love, love, love the stories. Thanks for sharing.