Stopping for groceries on the way home, I did the sort of thoughtless thing that I silently (or even not-so-silently) curse others for doing: I went through the 15-item-limit checkout lane with 16 items. I didn't mean to do it; I rarely buy more than 9 things at a time (since I only cook for myself). But this time, a particular brand of canned chili that I really like (Stagg "Dynamite Hot" flavor) was on sale, 8 cans for $8. I ran through most of my stock of canned goods while unemployed. Not because I was that close to being destitute, but because I was highly focused on finishing THE BOOK, and I tended to eat at home to make the best use of my time. So the chance to re-stock was not one to be passed up. But it led to a cardinal sin (well, more of a bishophoric goof, to be fair).

It's not that I think what I did was a great affront to humanity in and of itself, and neither the checker nor the fellow behind me made any indication of my having caused them an inconvenience. No, the guilt to be confronted here is that of not living up to the standards I expect of others. I get annoyed by people who are insensitive and do this sort of thing, so I have a responsibility to not be that kind of person. On the one hand, I can see that perhaps people I've been annoyed with might not have consciously done this (though there have been a few times when it was clear from their conversation while waiting in line). But the real thing for me is to remember that if I'm going to have expectations of others that I consider reasonable, like not slowing the express line up with over-quota items, then it's only fair that I show the same consideration.

All that, and I ended up eating something entirely different for dinner, as well.