In the grocery express lane once, (15 items or "fewer," not "less"), I found myself behind a well dressed--you could see from the material and stitching--bejeweled woman who spoke with a mildly faint accent and had 21 items. I could see her (angry, but must stay civil to maintain my aire of dignified superiority) mental gears turning when I said, to the visible delight of the several people behind me and the stifled bemusement of the clerk, who is told by mgmt not to confront Xpress violators--yes, they are--"Let me help you count those items." In her carefully rehearsed repressed annoyance, she huffed off.

She was clearly trying to play that "I'm a simple person, not from here and I do not understand your strange customs." card. Her entire demeanor totally gave her away. Five people got checked through in short order. I hope I made the day for all involved, and hope (but doubt) that I gently taught the woman a lesson.

Saul