Supermarket Pet Peeves

     I spend a considerable amount of time in supermarkets.   Part of the reason is that I shop for different items in different stores.  The other part is I there is always something I need, forgot, or have to get before a sale is over.   There are times when I have actually forgotten an item I wrote down on a list.  Other times I didn’t get the main product I went out for in the first place.  Despite these issues, or maybe because of them, I have noticed certain problems in most stores.  They might not bother everyone, but to me, and others I often find myself helping, they are always present.  Move over Letterman…here are my top five.

5.   Narrow aisles.    I don’t understand why the aisles aren’t wide enough to let carts go by in different directions without crashing into each other.  How many times do you have to say “excuse me” or “sorry” when cruising down these rows.  During busy times, this can be a cause of indoor road rage.

4.   Items placed too high.  I am 5’4’ tall.  Ok, maybe a little less.  I cannot always reach the items placed high on a shelf.  It gets worse when they stack the items on top of each other.  My choice is to stand on the bottom shelf, or find a way to knock down a box without the whole shelf coming down.  The dairy section is trickier since milk, juice, etc. are placed on racks.  Once the first two are taken, the others are so far back I can’t reach.  It has been documented that stores place the pricier items at eye level.  My looking up, and down, taught me that trick long ago.

3.  Looking like a department store.    In rural areas I can understand the need to carry products besides your typical groceries.  For those of us who have access to the mall, as well as department and big box stores, we don’t need row and rows of items we can get somewhere else.  How many people purchase those items in the supermarket?  The space could be used more efficiently.  See number 5.

2.  Reading the small print.   I love those little tabs they place near a sale item.  The print has a font size in the negative numbers.   Not only do you have to make sure of the date, but only a certain size may be on sale, and the tab might not be directly under the product.  If the item comes in a variety of flavors….watch out.   Whole wheat may be on sale, but not whole grain whole wheat.  Chunky peanut butter, but not smooth.  100 oz. bottle of detergent, but not the one that is fragrance free.   Why does it have to be so confusing?

1.  Wet produce.   This is the one that irks me the most.  A simple lesson in biology is required here.  Once a plant is picked and separated from its root system, it does not absorb water.  I can’t stand wet lettuce and parsley.  It is drenched, you can’t get it in the bag, and it disintegrates into a mess within days.  I also can’t stand the bags of wet carrots.  I stopped buying the baby ones because they are too slimy.  Even the whole ones are wet at times.  I can’t count the number of times those automatic sprayers have gone on when my arm in fully extended under them.  Please, I don’t need a shower.

     Every now and then, I see the district managers walking around with store management pointing out this and that.  I wonder what they are looking at.  I wonder what study or plan they have developed to make shopping better.  I have an idea or two (or five) for them.  Maybe they should actually talk to the “average” shopper.  Oh well, I’ll be back in their stores soon enough.  Probably tomorrow.  As they always say, Have a Nice Day!

Working an 8 Hour Day

     My daughter was sick this week.   As a result, I was bound to the house for 2 days.   Not knowing if she would be better the next day, I went to the supermarket as soon as my husband came home on Tuesday.   I haven’t shopped in the evening in quite a while, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Surprisingly the store wasn’t crowded at all.  Shelves aren’t as stocked, but I was able to purchase what was needed.  All was good until I got to the check out.  That is when I noticed a major difference.

     The cashier and the bagger were both under the age of 20.  With me standing right there, they did nothing but complain about how many hours they had to work, their schedule for the week, when they were going to finally get their break, and what the managers were doing to them.  I wanted to say something, but really did know what.  Mostly I wanted to know why they applied for full-time hours if they didn’t want to work 8 hours a day.  Also, what made them think it appropriate to have this type of conversation in the presence of a customer?

     I usually shop for food around 9 to 10 A.M.   Parking lots aren’t crowded, lines are shorter, and I prefer to do this early in the day.  The staff tends to be made up mostly of adult workers.  Most are kind and friendly.  There are some that are much older than me.  I often wonder if some are working to make ends meet.  Regardless, they are efficient, smile, and go about the business of serving the customer.  They might move a little slower, but they have the strong work ethic that I remember being instilled as I was growing up.  My grandparents worked much longer hours, in less desirable conditions, in order to survive.

     I am not throwing all young people under the bus.  There are many places, including this store, where the young people are incredibly polite and helpful.  There are others though who need to learn that working is not easy.  Every job can have long hours, difficulties, and a tough schedule.  Every type comes with challenges and periods of exhaustion.  The satisfaction comes from the knowledge of a job well-done, of contributing to society, and working for your pay.  Much that can be learned from people who have worked for many, many, years and still know how to smile.

This Time I’m Ready

     Here comes Sandy.  Last year at this time, the northeast experienced a freak October snowstorm that took down trees, and knocked out power to many.  My family went without power for 9 days.  It was frustrating as everyone around us seemed to luck out, but a small group of homes were left in the dark because of a large tree that fell on our road.  I thought I was prepared for the storm, and I was ok for about 4 to 5 days, but around day 6, things got harder.  My house got colder, I was running out of water, eating was a challenge, and a certain kind of fatigue set in.  There were lessons learned, and the experience taught us to always be prepared.

      I always have a large supply of bottled water stored away.  We use it at times during the year, but it is replaced as soon as it is consumed.  Those of us with homes that run on a septic system know how hard it is to deal with a lack of water.  Last year I filled the tubs and collected water from melting snow.   This year, I already have gallon containers of water in the basement, numerous buckets and containers filled, and the tubs will be filled.  I have a stash of nonperishable food and all my laundry is done.  I have flashlights, but I have found battery operated LED laterns that provide more light and are easier to carry around.  The only item I have not invested in is a generator.  I don’t have a baby, anyone ill or elderly, and we seemed to survive last time without one so it hasn’t been on the top of our list.  I will however, crank the heat up if the storm seems to be strengthening just to keep the house warmer longer.

     Despite all the upset, my kids are taking it all in stride.  Having gone throught it before, they are loaded up on books, charged up some games, and put batteries in a couple of old boom boxes.  I’m hoping that it will not hit us too hard, and that all the tree work that was done on my road will prove to be adequate.  I’m still leary about the 2 or 3 dead ones I see standing, but hopefully they will not fall.  My philosphy in these situations is that there are always those worse off.  I will probably fare better than my cousins in New Jersey.  I know that the people near coastlines will suffer damage to their homes.  I also know that for my area this in not Katrina or Haiti, and that I will not suffer for years to come.  It’s all perspective.  I’m praying that all survive.

What Happened to the Neighborhood Grocer?

Growing up, there were a number of small grocery stores spread out across the town.  They were located within 1 to 2 miles of most residents which made access relatively easy for most.  They all provided dairy, produce, meats, and deli.  They had cereal, condiments, snacks, and cleaning products.  They provided the basics and were visited by loyal customers.  Then along came the boom of the large supermarkets which put the small stores out of business, and made access for some people a hardship.  There are now more convenience stores or fast food establishments closer to some people than a grocery store.  This has contributed to the rise of unhealthy eating, and the increase of problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cholesterol.

There was a time when Grand Union, A&P, Finast, Waldbaum’s, and a number of other small stores dotted the neighborhoods.  If need be, one could walk or take a short ride on mass transit to purchase a few items.  This is no longer the case.  The large stores are on main roads in many towns making it difficult for people who do not own a vehicle to reach.   It is almost impossible to make large purchases as it is too hard to carry on a bus.  This wasn’t as much of a problem when stores were within a reasonable distance from one’s home. 

So what happens?  It is easier to pick up that doughnut on the corner.  It is easier to go to the fast food establishment or buy processed items that can sit on the shelf without going bad.  How is this supposed to help people make good decisions when it comes to diet?  Doesn’t it lead to more health related issues and more expense when it comes to providing health care?

There has been some effort in small cities and towns to set up farmer’s markets which bring fresh produce and other items to the people.  This has been successful for both the consumer and the farmers.  It is one thing to constantly tell people that they have improve their diet and watch what they eat.  It is equally if not more important to make access to those foods available.  It has to be provided and it has to be easily accessible.  This should be considered by the community at large when the concern for the health of people is discussed.  It should be realized that all people, regardless of income, location, and means of transportation have the right to access quality food and a healthier lifestyle.