Hey! That's MY Garden Hose!

I don't know about where you live but garage sales, estate sales and tag sales are the most popular form of entertainment here. It's not uncommon to run into the same people over and over again and you eventually become friends. Sometimes there will be 'foreigners' as in someone from out of town and that's where the problem begins. You see, there are certain curtesies extended to one's shopping friends. If you spot an item you're interested in but don't quite get there before someone picks it up you can approach that person and say something like "I saw that first". Usually the startled person will hand the item over and all is well. I had pretty well viewed everything offered in the tag sale earlier but had gone back by in case I had missed something. Just as I entered the front door a 'foreigner' walked up to the cashier and suddenly my eyes were riveted on the object in his hand. I must have missed it when I sashayed through the garage but there it was. One of those really neat garden hoses, green, that flattens out to fit snugly on it's own storage carrier. I knew in an instant that IT WAS MINE! So, I approached the 'foreigner'standing in the cashier's line and said "you know, you have my hose". He didn't say anything. I paused and then I said "it's unfortunate that you got to that hose first but it really needs to go home with me". And still he stares straight ahead, stoic. I step closer, raise my face in his direction and with my most earnest expression gesture with my hand toward my face and said "this is my face trying to look happy while you take my garden hose". The 'foreigner' bursts into laughter, turns and walks out the door....with my garden hose. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be nice to people.