I was in Bi Lo this morning doing some grocery shopping and picked up a reusable grocery bag that had a Cooper River Bridge Run logo on it.As I checked out, the young girl bagging the groceries said, Do you know that people from 'round here NEVER win the Bridge Run?
I replied that I was aware that the top prizes often went to runners from other countries, particularly Kenya.
She replied that she didn't think that was fair and that there should be a rule that people "not from 'round here" should only be allowed to win maybe once every five years.
I said, Well...since people from all over the world are encouraged (even invited) to enter and they come all this way, it's only fair that they have the chance to win everytime.
The checkout girl asked, Where is Kenya? Is it one of those running states?
The girl doing the bagging didn't seem sure where it was (except that it wasn't 'round here!)
I'm not certain why, but I suppose it was the teacher in me that felt compelled to explain to her that Kenya is NOT one of the United States (and I don't know which states we apparently consider to be "running states") but is a country in Africa. She did seem to have heard of Africa, but unfortunately agreed with her colleague that people who aren't from around here shouldn't always be allowed to win the Bridge Run.
I'm tired now...
omg... "running state" ahahahahha
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I wish I lived near a Bi-Lo! I think I'm going to have to have my Charleston friends pick me up some!
ReplyDeleteAs for not knowing where Kenya is, that is just sad.
I guess the schools aren't teaching history like they used to. Or kids aren't paying attention. I get e-mails from teaches all the time with misspellings. I would use spell check!! I have some employees that don't know capitols and where certain countries are. I have been out of school 20 years and still remember these things.
ReplyDeleteThat convo sounds so typical - :-) glad you didn't spend too much of your time trying to mold her view of the world - would've been far too frustrating ;-)
ReplyDeleteSpeaks volumes of a lacking in today's education goals. Don't you think? In my day Geography was a top priority. I even remember a bit of it in etiquette class. Conversational Geography.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is bad when someone doesn't know where Kenya is. I see where you just finished Tori Spelling's book. I finished it a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't too bad. Her mama is a freak! I like to watch Tori and Dean.
ReplyDeleteOh my...well I guess that explains why she was bagging your groceries...
ReplyDeleteIf she came to work at the Pizza Hut near our house she'd be considered a genius. Just sayin'....
ReplyDeleteI would be laughing harder if this wasn't so sad. But really, "running states"? huh? But you'll love this little snippet from a fellow that works with my husband regarding President Obama "he's not even from Africa, he's from Kenya" - I kid you not. Hey maybe he's related to your checker. And in all fairness to young people, this man is in his late 40's. Kathy
ReplyDeletescary!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is hard to believe! Sad, isn't it? Oh well. Have a great weekend! Love & blessings from NC!
ReplyDeleteOh my! Kinda thought Kenya was one of those places everyone has heard of and knows where it is!! hehe
ReplyDeleteRunning states huh? Where is the sleeping state? I think I would like that one or even better, an eating state . . .
2 words...OH MY
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, you would better than me, I don't think I could not have commented.
ReplyDeleteMy mother would always say that its better to be assumed a fool than open your mouth and confirm it??? Poor cashier, she didn't give anyone any time to assume!!!Geez, these kids are killing me!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you tried to educate her, thats better than most people would have done. Maybe she listened and went home and looked it up...sigh...hopefully...
awwww! you made me miss the holy city.
ReplyDeletei loved doing that race ... i always ENJOYED seeing the winner run by (as i waited to start my walk). i miss bi-lo and the teeter, too.
great story!
Oh my, that's funny! Speaking of "Not from around here"...when I was about 6 or 7, my mother said something that I must have thought was absurd and I looked at my dad and said "Don't worry daddy, she's not from around here" meaning she wasn't from Elloree originally (but had been there since before I was born). She still gets a kick out of that story...and your post reminded me of it!
ReplyDeleteTHAT is funny. So funny.
ReplyDeleteI bet she can text message or IM like a champ though :o)
ReplyDelete