Usually, by the time I make it to the grocery store, the deli counter is closed and I either forego whatever purchase I was hoping to make or pivot and choose something that is pre-packaged. With grocery prices these days, choosing something pre-packaged depends on whether anything is on sale.

            Hi there, how are you?

            I’m alright. You?

            Good yeah. What can I get for you?

Even though I’ve been standing there staring at the neatly organized selection of processed meats that, no matter how similar they may look, produce distinctly different tastes, my mind blanks

            Uhhh … yeah umm… can I have some of the roast chicken? The one that’s on sale there. The store brand.

            This one? [points to the wrong one]

No. No. I think that’s turkey. Just the next one, right beside it there [gestures to my left, their right]

The deli counter staff retrieves the chicken from the fridge and as they start to unwrap it and set up the machine they use to slice it, I anticipate their next question of ‘how much’ and blurt

            200g is great.

            200?

            Please

            Ok. And how would you like it sliced?

I hate this question. I have no idea how else to measure the thickness of a deli meat other than my own subjective understanding of what makes a good sandwich.

Uhhh… [rubs my hand through my hair in distress] thinly sliced …. Like for a sandwich. I’m not sure –

            Like this?

The deli staff holds up a piece they have already sliced while I was stumbling around for words to describe the indescribable – the desired thickness of a slice of deli meat.

            Yeah, that’s perfect.

            Ok. Great. Is that ok?

            Yup

Gesturing to the scale that now reads 250 grams, the staff is wondering if the overage is acceptable by me. Similar to the example slice, whether its too thick, too thin, too much or too little, I accept my lot in life, thank them for their kind demeanour and willingness to slice deli meat for me and continue on with the rest of my shopping. Looking down at the extra 50 grams, my mind wanders to the stark reality that I have no idea how this food arrived here, in my hands.