When Irish women frown

Cork, 2010 —

I needed to know the time, so I stepped into a pharmacy — the chemist.

A young woman was sitting waiting. I walked right past her. I walked past her because I've learned to not speak to unacquainted Irish women. They frown, and it hurts.

I figured I'd speak to the woman who was working there because she could not misunderstand my intentions.

I asked. She frowned at me.