Oh-oh, uh... I'm sorry, I'm not ready. Oh, no. You go ahead--no, you.

I'm notoriously bad about making decisions, particularly on the spot and especially when I feel out of place. Some people imagine hell as a place with brimstone and fire. My hell includes choices of toppings, condiments, and a waitress named Daisy who wants to know if I prefer white or wheat. God help me.

John is unfortunately familiar with my habit of waffling over menus and panicking in smaller, more intimate environments. In a Chipotle, I can never remember what salsa I like best (mild with just a little bit of medium, Caitlin! how can you forget this?!) and consistently forget to order my Burrito Bowl "to go," even if I'm eating in, just so I can shake it up and evenly distribute that lettuce throughout the whole bowl. It tastes worlds better, I swear.

I let people ahead of me in line because I can't choose a muffin; I surrender to the barista when I can't make a coffee drink choice; I flounder and order specials because I can't choose between the French onion soup and a French dip.

So when I decided to grab Subway for lunch the other day, John coached me through it via gChat. Needless to say, I don't go to Subway very often. Perhaps a belated New Year's Resolution should be increased decisiveness.


John: dont panic in line

me: i'll try not to!

John: just take your time and think about what toppings you want

and if they give you too much or too little, don't be afraid to tell them

me: are tey going to ask me questions?!

John: you can do it

1:25 PM me: oh no!

eeeeek!

John: don't panic!

calm down

and just say may i please have a sandwich

me: cause i really don't want black olives on my sandwich.

John: and then answer their questions one at a time

that's ok--you just tell them that

me: will they name the toppings for me?

1:26 PM or am i expected to be such a regular that i will know them?

John: no, you have to look at them

me: oh god

okay

John: there's a clear plastic

it's called a sneeze guard

me: i know these

John: good!

now we're getting somewhere

me: the toppings will be visible beyond the sneeze guard

?

1:27 PM John: yes

me: okay.

John: you think you can do it?

me: i'm not sure what's going to be good on my sandwich

i'm afraid i'm going to screw it up

1:28 PM John: onions and lettuce for show

*sure

beyond that its up to you :)

me: ok

John: maybe ask them what they recommend

me: i'm watching a video on it

John: also, you have five different breads to choose from

me: http://www.subwayfreshbuzz.com/menu/freshfit_choices/sweet_onion_chicken_teriyaki/

OMG

five breads?

i hate this.

okay, i give up.

1:29 PM i'm not eating lunch.

thank you for trying to help me though