JEFF LAITY

It’s very rural here. I’m used to rural, since I grew up in New Jersey, but this is pretty out there. Deer-antler-artwork kind of out there. And this is the capitol of the state: we haven’t even started driving out into the sticks yet.

I went to Dunkin Donuts tonight. Northeasterners have an attitude about Dunkin Donuts, it flares up every time you bring up Starbucks. You mention Starbucks, and they go on and on about how Duncan Donuts has better coffee, they invented coffee, etc. I walked in there to buy a donut and a bottle of water, and pay with my company-issued American Express card. It used to be that I would feel weird using a credit card for small purchases, but now I almost never carry cash. There’s no need in the big city, I can buy my $1.40 cup of coffee on a credit card and no one bats an eye. There’s no more change to carry, you don’t befuddle the cashier when you hand them $11.00 for a $5.95 charge, everything is great.

“Oh, we don’t take that.”

“Oh, OK.” I start fishing for my Visa. “Wait, do you take any credit cards?”

“No, sorry.”

“Um, I don’t have any cash. Sorry about that.”

“It’s OK – just take it.”

“What?,” I ask.

“Just take it. Seriously.”

I may have been in an airplane all day, but I don’t look like a hard case. I can see not wanting to put the donut back, but the bottle of water costs them actual money. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Definately.”

“Thank you.” Awkward silence. Foley of picking up paper bag containing donut. I walk to the door and back towards my hotel.

That was weird, right? Have I just been in the city too long? Or am I just used to Starbucks?