So...since I don't have all my shopping done, I was out and about yesterday to pick up a few more items.
Yes I know I just have today and tomorrow. I really AM almost done! Seriously!
Anyway, I was standing in the "Ten Items or Less" line, perhaps four people back from the current customer when it suddenly occurred to me to actually quit dozing in line and pay attention.
One...two...three...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine...ten....eleven...
Three...four...five....
One...two...three....four....two...three...four...five...
I was silently counting each item as she put it on the conveyor. At the same time I was estimating what was LEFT in the cart.
I muttered loud enough to be heard by the guy in line ahead of me: "Boy, it would really be nice if they'd teach people how to count to ten these days."
He turned around and said, "I was just thinking the very same thing!" And we had to giggle.
Seriously...the woman had at least 22 items in her cart. At least! And there was more I couldn't see. That's just what I could count easily!
So, the above numbering system is what the guy and I were giggling about; you see, we couldn't figure out any other way she could have been counting. We figured she must be getting confused and restarting her count from the items that currently were on the conveyor belt.
Having worked for the WM corporation, I know how stupid they can be about some things, and they are VERY stupid about letting customers run over them like that. An employee who would call the customer on their excess would be called into the office in a flash, and probably suspended. The sign is placed, I swear, simply to keep a sign painter working somewhere.
But the gods have mercy on the foolish who leave their shopping till the end. And the guy and I must have made Them laugh, too, because another checker came up in a non-express lane and the guy made a dash for the line. I was being nice (read "stupid") and I didn't follow him because my peripheral vision saw other carts and folks moving to that line already.
But, the woman behind me touched my shoulder and said, "Hey, you've only got a couple of things...why don't you go ahead of me since I've got quite a few things?"
I thanked her and moved to the new line, glancing at her cart.
Holy SHIT.
This woman had an overflowing grocery cart full...I'd estimate about $250 worth of groceries.
And SHE had been waiting in the express lane, too!
One...two...threeeeeeeee...four.......five.......
6 comments:
I don't believe it's a question of their counting ability... I honestly believe that most people just figure the rules/signs don't apply to them. Or maybe they just feel that basic courtesy rules don't have to be followed when theres so many people around... ?
Either one would explain the higher rates of rudeness and elevated acts of random stupidity that hit this time of year.
Whoops! Thats what I get for not proofreading before coffee! The last line was supposed to read...
... elevated number of random acts of stupidity
I think you may be right about the "doesn't apply to them" idea, Trace. It happens all year long at the grocery store, too.
I just watched a bit on CBS Sunday Morning about the instructor who has been teaching young ballet students how to dance in The Nutcracker for years and years. That woman is disciplined and she makes those kids work for their parts instead of the parts just being handed to them. And parents aren't allowed to "participate" in the decisions she makes. The reporter talked to some of her former students and they all said that her discipline has made it possible for them to achieve their dreams.
We as a society need to start tough loving the upcoming generation in all aspects of life. I guarantee the kids will survive and be better for it!
I have to agree with you both Kate and Tracey. If WE, as parents don't teach them young who will?
At this time of the year there seems to be no rules as to parking, express checkout and on and on.
I hope you both have a great Christmas:)
One of my pet peeves are people who abuse the 'express' lanes in stores, and also people who park in the disables parking spots and are ONLY disabled in brain cell count and are lazy! Grrr.
MERRY CHRISTMAS KATE!
K, seems I too need to proofread before I hit the publish button! LOL
That should read "disabled" parking spots!
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