Toll collectors on the Massachusetts get a bad rap, for what seems to me to be no reason.
The ones I interact with every day really are just a joy to deal with. The gentleman I almost always see in the morning, getting on the pike in Auburn (RT 290/395/20 entrance) is always so happy and pleasant. This morning, as he handed me my ticket he shouted out a joyful “happy Friday!“
And the guy I sometimes get as I am paying my $1.30 getting off the Mass Pike is an awfully jolly fellow. I hadn’t seen him for a number of days (I must have just missed his booth each time) and yesterday I get a big smile of recognition and my new nick name “cutie.” Under most circumstances that’d be creepy, but coming form him it’s not; it’s really more endearing, like an uncle.
Saw him again this morning and I said to him “What’s the likelihood, two days in a row” and then he pronounced he was going to be playing the lottery today because clearly he was on a lucky streak.
They make my morning suck less. Thank you Monday through Friday toll collectors on the Massachusetts Turnpike.
And to you afternoon toll collectors: a smile would suffice, give it a shot.