Courtesy in Ghana seems to be a word reserved for MC’s or hosts of eventsto declare to audiences “who did what” with regards to sponsorship of the show.
For those stuck on just that definition, there is more to the word than that; and I want to draw attention specifically to the part about manners.
So last Sunday I passed by Shoprite after Church to pick up a couple of things needed at home.
At the end of my shopping I proceeded to the till area. I ended up in a queue with two customers. One just packing their stuff and the other having their goods processed.
Standing behind the area where you drop your goods for the sales attendant to process, I waited patiently for the attendant to finish scanning the goods of the customer in front of me before unpacking my stuff out of the shopping basket.
It was finally my turn, so I dropped on the till a Coke and Tampico and BAM! There I see some items pushing against my Coke and Tampico like boys behind girls “receiving current” at a party ( another term for grinding )
I pause for a second and think to my self
“how rude can this person be?”
I continue unpacking thinking it’s an error in judgement of the person doing this but to my surprise more stuff kept piling behind my items.
I was pissed but kept my composure.
“What’s wrong with you?”
I kept asking this question in my head and wished I could sprinkle courtesy on the culprit, who is a woman along with a guy who seems to be her partner. I mean for peace sake give me some room to feel comfortable. Even in Kaneshie or Agbogbloshie markets people don’t breathe down your neck this badly.
I shake my head internally and place my basket at the side and proceed to pay. The attendant finally swipes the last item and asks whether this woman’s items are part of mine.
Yes, the proximity of our items were so close that EVEN the attendant at the till thought the woman and I were together.
This is not the first time such has happened to me and it makes me wonder whether this is something that has to be taught or whether such courtesy or shopping etiquette qualifies as common sense.
Why can’t people give each other the space required to complete a transaction. I mean allow the person to finish dealing with the attendant and then you can come up and handle your business.
I don’t want to assume that Ghanaians behave this way but some actions by some Ghanaians have pushed the idea far enough that it’s become a constant debate in my head.
So help me out here. As you keep it One Hondred this week, can you tell me why people invade spaces at tills or counters in malls, banks or shopping centers?
Have a blessed week!
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