When The Right Thing To Do Doesn’t Feel Right
Ah, grocery shopping. It’s not my favorite thing to do, but I head out fully prepared with a list and a meal plan so I can at least do it peacefully. But on the days I’m either in too much of a hurry for my own good, or I’m just downright cranky. I strongly suggest you don’t go grocery shopping while you’re cranky. I don’t always enjoy this task.
In the area I live in, our grocery store clerks and managers graciously accept and smile if you bag your own groceries. I’m originally from an area that if you tried bagging your own groceries they’d look at you like you had live lobsters on your head. So when I first moved here 14 years ago, I was appalled that they even suggest I do it, considering the amount of money I was plunking down each week. But I bit the bullet and have become accustomed to bagging.
On this particular visit there were four self checkouts and two express lanes open, not enough to help the flow of people trying to get out. I won’t even mention the four staff members I saw standing around chatting. The other few lines that were opened were pretty darn long. Biting the bullet again, I got into one of those long lines. Hey, that’s life sometimes.
It wasn’t so bad, I entertained myself by scanning over the People and US magazines, but I prefer the housey-type ones. Then, suddenly, the line shifted forward and, lo and behold, it was my turn! Yeah! I was ever so grateful. That’s when I heard the loud sigh. You know the one. The one where someone who has a hand held basket decides they should exit the store faster than you (and everyone else) and they really want you to notice them so you’ll let them get ahead of you. That kind of sigh. He even began shifting from foot to foot. No way buddy. Not tonight.
And he kept it up. Normally I would have let him get in front of me, but sometimes, folks, I guess I’m just not normal. I didn’t let him. I just ignored him. Now, I consider myself a kind person; I’m a mom so that automatically should count for something, right? I’m pretty patient. But this guy was about 6’2″, 60-ish, had a real even tan and was dressed like he was going to be getting onto a pretty expensive boat. I have absolutely nothing against well-dressed boaters, my boss is one and he’s a great guy, but that wasn’t the point. My point is he should have known better; perhaps I need to learn a lesson.
However, I continued to ignore him – why did I have to wait in line but not him? Why couldn’t he have gotten into someone else’s line? What’s up with that? I loaded the groceries onto the conveyor belt, into the bags, into my cart, paid, and out I went. I felt a little bad but not that bad. I do let others in front of me, especially the elderly and kids. But that time I couldn’t do it. It just didn’t feel like the right thing to do. What would you have done?
- 05/08: Yummy Mummy Self-Care Gift Giveaway
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- 04/15: Forgiving Lifestyle
I had a time like that where I was on the other end. I was holding a huge bag of charcoal and a 18 pack of beer (for the husband) and that was all I needed, but the lady infront of me was apparently doing her shopping for the entire month.
Not to say I deserved to go first, but some courtesy would have been nice.
In this case, I think you were right. We all have to wait in line. Just cause you have a few less items, is not an autopass. Some days I let people in ahead and some days I just need to go, for whatever reason.
I would have done the same thing. If he had so few items, he should have gone through the self check or express lane anyway!
I’ve been in both situations and at that point if you really are getting snippy no one will let you CUT the line then goto customer service and get checked out. I do that if I cant wait and the express lanes are backed up!
Creative thinking!
I have to say grocery shopping is my least favorite thing to do in life. Acutally most times I send my husband with the list and my money and tell him to go have a party.
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It sounds like you’re creating problems yourself by trying to solve this issue instead of looking at why their is a problem in the first place.