I got myself to the grocery store pretty early yesterday morning. It's a good time to shop, and it works for me. There is usually only one cash open at that time, for that is all that is usually required.
But yesterday wasn't usual because ahead of me was a couple who had, apparently, spent the winter hibernating with the bears and hadn't eaten since October, and they were very very hungry. They had two full carts and kept piling countless items onto the conveyor for what seemed like an eternity.
The lady behind me had one item — grapes — that she was going to take to her friend when they visited that morning. I observed that women do that sort of thing — take gifts when they meet for a visit. Men don't do that and find it perplexing. I don't know why she didn't use the self-checkout for just one item, but I didn't ask. I use it sometimes, depending on how full my cart is, because it is cumbersome to self-check many items in the setup in this store. But I guess that I still should have.
The guy behind her angrily threw his few items, including meat, on the adjacent conveyer and stomped off in a great huff. The next guy, who was now behind me because the lady had moved ahead of me, was also getting a little tetchy. We talked a bit. He had fewer items than I, so I offered to let him precede me as well. He seemed a little chastened and decided that his time wasn't all that important.
The hibernating bear-friends eventually got through and so did the lady with the grapes. Out of curiosity, I asked the cashier how much the bear-couple's order came to. More than $1100.
Meanwhile, the man who had been behind me got through quicker than I because they did open another lane, and he didn't even wave goodbye. When they opened the new lane, my items were at least partly on the beltway, so I was stuck in Noman's Land as it were.
The extra time didn't really matter. I got everything done that day that I needed to, and I shall continue to let people go ahead of me when it seems like the right and proper thing to do.
I do the same. Usually I have lots of time, so why not?
ReplyDeleteI expect the couple shopped early thinking the shop would be empty! I used to invite the people behind me with few items to go ahead, too, if I wasn't in a hurry. And occasionally people have done it for me, too.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the story is behind the couple who bought so much!
ReplyDeleteI do that too. People have done it for me and it's paying it forward, I guess. But you have to wonder what the story was! I prefer not to use self-check because it feels like its putting someone out of work. Meanwhile, the food prices still go up, but we're doing the work. Still, sometimes, especially if you only have a couple of things and it's busy, it's very convenient and I'll do it too!
ReplyDeleteOh we must consider the completely re-stocked kitchen is for evacuees from below the border. They maybe hadjust arrived, knew their get-away from tRump-land was going to provide a place of safety from ----- (those mugger police who wear masks or something else fearsome) and planned to just sit and watch TV and eat for a month.
ReplyDeletePeople seem to have less and less patience. I worked in the grocery industry for most of my life and they should have called someone else up to checkout quicker. Even if there was not another cashier on duty, we had employees in other departments cross trained for just such instances.
ReplyDeletePerhaps that couple only shop twice a year! I always let people go ahead if they have only a few items. Self-check-outs are a pain. Things don't check or aren't recognised or need a supervisor - it takes longer!
ReplyDeleteI also use the manned checkouts, not the self ones, and let people by me who have a very small order. I do not like the stooping that our store requires to self check, nor am I good at figuring out the best way to pack to save the bread from squishing. Ah, the joys of foraging.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the big order people were opening up their cottage for the summer, perhaps moving from a seniors' residence. I know two couples who do that.
I thought cottage too, but i go with the hibernating with bears thereby fo the narrative value.
DeleteMy dad used to say a funny thing in situations like that. "If I were in a hurry, I'd have done this yesterday."
ReplyDeleteI use it myself now. But thankfully, most often, I do have a bit of spare time to wait in line.
I should try to remember that, but I likely won’t.
DeleteI can imagine those "big" shoppers filling an order for a wildfire evacuation centre where there will be a lot of people to feed. The forests are burning and northern residents are coming south; many to the homes of family and friends, but many to community centres in cities. Family from Flin Flon arrived at my sister-in-law's last night.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard about the fires. I find it hard to understand fires in May. Poor folk.
DeleteI was expecting their order to be at least $200.
ReplyDelete$1100, woah! I guess I shop too often to even imagine that kind of bill. Also, I live a mile from the grocery store so it's super convenient. I'm with you, I let people go ahead.
ReplyDelete$1100! What a total. Feeding a horde? Filling a new house larder? Won the lottery? Can't imagine spending that much on food.
ReplyDeleteI always take something when I visit someone. Fresh fruit isn't unheard of, but because I'm an unhealthy American, it's usually cookies.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised. You seem very considerate.
DeleteLack of patience is like a virus. It seems to be spreading. I have let people go ahead of me and I'm sure it's been done for me.
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible amount for groceries! I think I've spent a lot if it's over $150. I let people go ahead of me too; being retired I'm rarely in a hurry. Plus, I feel good about it although some of the aforementioned people don't even say thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, they must be feeding an orphanage! Sure makes you wonder.
ReplyDeleteI too let people go ahead of me. What's a few minutes? And it makes me feel good to do so.
Doing favours is in fact partly for our own benefit.
Delete1100 bucks? How do these people operate? Where do they store all that stuff?
ReplyDeleteGood questions.
DeleteYour story is a thoughtful reminder that patience and small acts of kindness, like letting others go ahead, often say more about our character than any rush to save a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteI always try to let folks with few items go ahead of me--even as I wonder why they don't use the self checkout.
ReplyDeleteI always choose the queue that moves slowest. I warn people not to stand in line behind me.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot to spend in one go!