Panic Attacks at the Mall

I’m pretty sure the Philippines is NOT like one of the other over populated countries like China or Japan.  There is room for people to move and plenty of space to stretch your legs.  So what is the deal with the lack of awareness of personal space?  I'm a native New Yorker,  a place that lacks plenty of space to stretch your legs, most New Yorkers are always pretty conscience of giving others their personal space.  If you're next in line at the ATM there is certain amount space that you will give that person.  If you're in line at the grocery store that space may not be so big.    Here it's a different story.

Example number one:

I go inside an accessory/purse store at the mall.  The sales lady greets me then stands about less than one foot  away from me to my side.  Just stands there staring.  I could see her from my peripheral vision and totally thought she was arranging something on a table next to me.  Nope, when I looked up she just flashed a big smile at me.  I move 3 feet and she moved with me.  Then I moved to the side just to see if she would follow me and she did.  I walked to the other side of the store and she followed.  I was about a half a second away from saying " can you please not stand so close to me" but then thought,  f it, I don't need any of this bling bling junk anyway. 

Same thing at the next clothing store I went to.

The third store I went to was one of those teeny bopper stores like Hot Topic.  I loved that they did not even acknowledge me when I walked in, they were too busy on their cell phones.  That’s where I spent my money.

Next stop: the grocery store.  I was getting queasy from the different smells of fish and industrial cleaners.  Finally I get to the check out counter and I'm already a little irritated because it took me so long to find anything that was appetizing.  I told the cashier "I'm paying this with cash (booze and deodarant) and this with credit (5 supersized bowls of Ramen Noodles Pho and 5 cans of pineapple juice, 2 cans of tropical fruit and 1 can of carrot juice) I start putting my items on the conveyor belt, but it's not a conveyor belt because it's not moving, and it's wet.  So I push all my items down towards the cashier which ensures that whatever  mystery liquid I saw is now completely spread on the bottom of my items.  Exhale.  An older lady standing behind me, very very close behind me, TOO close, on line then proceeds to start unloading her items.  Hey wait! I'm not done yet.  I still have stuff in my cart and she's starts unloading her stuff.  "Excuse me, I'm not done" I say.  She doesn't even look up to acknowledge me but stops unloading her cart.  I finish and look up at the cashier and she says "sorry maam, cash only"   I look up and there's a huge sign that says "Cash Only".  I take all my items and literally throw back in the cart.  It makes loud obnoxious cling clang sounds and everybody turns to look at me.  I don't care. CLING CLING CLANG.  The lady behind me is rolling her eyes at me.  I thought I was going to be escorted out by the Philippino police. I was so irritated. And embarrassed at my own behavior.  I just couldn’t help myself.   At that moment I thought "I just want to go home".  OK get over yourself .

Went back to the hotel, ran 4 miles, a hard grudge run, I was hyperventilating.  Then went to the gym and shut off the AC and did some yoga.  Ahhhhhh.........Exhale.

More movies:

Remo Williams (1985)-  I love this movie.

The Brady Bunch Movie – I love Jan’s afro and the voices in her head.

Taken with Liam Neeson.  This is a really awesome underexposed movie.  He’s a bad ass in it.  I became a fan of Liam Neeson when I saw “Satisfaction” another great 80s movie that I’ve seen about 20 times and used to have the soundtrack.  Justin Bateman, Liam Neeson and Julia Roberts.  That’s the order of their names in the trailer. 

and

Terminator!