What would you do?

You are at the grocery store struggling through finding the items on your list while juggling children. On every item the kids plead with you for some unnecessary treat or snack. At the checkout counter the kids beg for every candy item on the shelf. It is just your ordinary trip to the store.

As you are standing in line, exhausted from wrestling kids, you hear the clerk give the old man in front of you his total, thirty something and change. He starts fumbling through cash in his wallet. You don't know why you are noticing this while arguing with the kids about why they can't have candy every time you come to the store. And then you hear the man tell the clerk that he has $14. That is it. Not even half of his bill. The clerk stands there waiting for him to decide what he doesn't want to purchase.

What do you do? What is your reaction? Do you just pretend not to notice, occupying yourself with the kids or you cell phone or the magazine rack? Do you feel embarrassed for the man? Sad for him? Do you understand the feelings he must be feeling in that moment? Have you ever been there? Or are you one of those rare people who, whenever possible, simply pays the bill for him?

I watched this story take place tonight at the grocery store. I was surprised at what happened. Obviously these are rhetorical questions. But definitely something to think about.