GASTONIA, N.C. – One of the best ways for members of Congress to connect not only with their constituents but also with a vital industry is to work for a few hours at a convenience store. Earlier this month, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) rang up purchases at a local QuikTrip, and took away more than he bargained for, the Gaston Gazette reports. “I’m going to be much more patient,” he said after his shift.

McHenry stopped by the store as part of the  NACS In Store program. “They want to show me how regulated they are with the laws that apply to convenience stores, whether it’s the cost of credit card swipes, or cash management, or managing a variety of food and quick-service food items,” the congressman said. “It’s just trying to get that surface layer deeper.”

During the past four years, NACS has brought members of Congress to work in 80 local c-stores. “Almost every part of the business is impacted by Washington,” said NACS counsel Doug Kantor.

During McHenry’s stint behind the counter, he heard about credit card transactions and how related current laws impact a store’s bottom line. But David Lawson, division manager for QuikTrip, also emphasized that he wanted to show McHenry how QuikTrip works. “What I’m really hoping that he got out of it is our employees do a great job and work very hard, and that he has a better understanding of what we do,” Lawson said.

As one customer who didn’t recognize McHenry, who wore a “in training” name tag, said after being rung up by the congressman: “I’m glad I was nice to him … He’s another person just like me.”