Today I was listening to our local National Public Radio station (KUT-Austin). From time to time listeners tell funny stories about themselves. The one today was really cool!
A young woman from South Africa was telling about
her first visit to a U. S. grocery store in 1997.
She was incredulous at the huge array of choices that she saw
and was truly amazed at all that is offered.
When she went to the checkout counter she was
again astounded at the efficiency & technology used.
Suddenly she was caught off guard by the question:
"Paper or plastic, ma'am?""
Not wanting to show that she was a foreigner by
asking what the checker meant, she quickly
pulled out her credit card and said,
"I'll pay with plastic!"
Now isn't that a great story! Pay with plastic or paper... bag in plastic or paper? It's one more thing that has to be learned by newly arrived foreigners to our soil. Welcome to Austin, Ma'am!
