We have moved next door to the busiest Safeway in the entire globe. There is never a free checkout. There are always lines, at 7AM, at 2PM and 9PM. It is a very popular place and I am afraid I almost was banned from the store my first time there.
The trouble is me. I am just not used to a supermarket that practices civility for all those who walk through the door. I looked and looked but didn't see the sign anywhere instructing anyone to be civil to one another within this establishment. Matter of fact, I have not participated in an acts of civility in a supermarket in many years. This Safeway is not only busy and popular, but oddly different.
I come from a locality where usually the lines at that Safeway are packed with everyone jockeying for their space and squishing your groceries on the belt with their own. The person behind you is breathing bad breath on your neck as you struggle to slide your card through the machine and enter yournot so secret pin number all the while trying not to bump into their body parts.
I learned a lesson the other night and had to redo my hair and wear a disguise just to be let back into the store thatsuffers practices civility. I tried to check out in three different lines only to learn that the line was broken to allow for cart flow-through, so it only looked like the lines were short. The real lines, hidden, extended back into the aisles where every person stared at me not with distain, but pity. Pity that I did not read the rules of civility carefully enough before entering the establishment.
I will also admit, since I am relatively sure none of those people are reading this, that I swore at them under my breath, but perhaps my breath was too loud. I was sure I heard some gasp. Just a little bit.
In disguise, I made my way around the store this morning only to realize that guests and employees all practice this niceness thing. I heard people greeting one another like they were the best of friends. I saw employees rushing about to find the best unblemished peach for one customer. I saw another sweeping up a small mess created by a child who was happily eating a box of cheerios while carted about in a comfy cart, complete with padded seat.
This time I made my way to the checkout through the aisles so I could find the real end of the line. And oddly enough, when I got there the person in front of me turned and asked me if I wanted my civility with a splash of lemon or olive. Olive it is.
Next time, I shall wear white gloves and enjoy the most civil Safeway in existence, especially if they keep offering me olives .
The trouble is me. I am just not used to a supermarket that practices civility for all those who walk through the door. I looked and looked but didn't see the sign anywhere instructing anyone to be civil to one another within this establishment. Matter of fact, I have not participated in an acts of civility in a supermarket in many years. This Safeway is not only busy and popular, but oddly different.
I come from a locality where usually the lines at that Safeway are packed with everyone jockeying for their space and squishing your groceries on the belt with their own. The person behind you is breathing bad breath on your neck as you struggle to slide your card through the machine and enter your
I learned a lesson the other night and had to redo my hair and wear a disguise just to be let back into the store that
I will also admit, since I am relatively sure none of those people are reading this, that I swore at them under my breath, but perhaps my breath was too loud. I was sure I heard some gasp. Just a little bit.
In disguise, I made my way around the store this morning only to realize that guests and employees all practice this niceness thing. I heard people greeting one another like they were the best of friends. I saw employees rushing about to find the best unblemished peach for one customer. I saw another sweeping up a small mess created by a child who was happily eating a box of cheerios while carted about in a comfy cart, complete with padded seat.
This time I made my way to the checkout through the aisles so I could find the real end of the line. And oddly enough, when I got there the person in front of me turned and asked me if I wanted my civility with a splash of lemon or olive. Olive it is.
Next time, I shall wear white gloves and enjoy the most civil Safeway in existence, especially if they keep offering me olives .
Comments
This is beautiful. And I can I just tell you that olives are like cocaine to me? I even have a picture of olives in my kitchen. I have come very close to being escorted out of Whole Foods for hanging around too long at the olive bar. I have been overserved at the olive bar. When my wife calls down to the olive bar to ask if I'm there---the civil kids at the whole foods (I never actually buy anything there---I just go to look) but the kids have been instructed to say---"OH no, he left hours ago. The relationship I have with olives is very complex. I might need Dr Phil or Doctor Myeyes or something.
i love this. i promise you, you'll get used to it. the grocery stores i frequent are, for the most part, extremely civil. i have great friends at Rite Aid and Albertson's. thank god, or i'd be friendless locally. lovely piece. what kind of disguise is it? i may need one soon. lov elov love
this was a dream, right?
Roger, me too! I love the olives, and Whole Foods is one of my favorites, but hey, Safeway will do!
Teddy - different hair, clothes with some color (I only wear black everything) and real shoes.
voicegal - nope. my dreams are better than this, or at least I'd like to think so. real as it gets. with a twist of olive.
Teddy - different hair, clothes with some color (I only wear black everything) and real shoes.
voicegal - nope. my dreams are better than this, or at least I'd like to think so. real as it gets. with a twist of olive.
Wish we had a store like this nearby! Those olives sound awfully good, too...
I am wearing white gloves and glasses today. Off to get some olives.
We live near a similar grocery store - just as crowded and crazy but WAY less civility. Yesterday Matt and I thought dinnertime on Sunday would be the best/least crowded time to shop. We were wrong. Apparently half of Austin felt the same way and showed up to our crappy, gross grocery store. I was run over by the same cart three times - a cart manned by a three year old while his mother disinterestedly browsed 20 feet away. I may have sworn as well, but only after my pedicure was ruined and my toe was bleeding.
This is why I miss Wegmans. Every other Sunday when it's time for our trip to a "regular" grocery store instead of Whole Foods or Central Market (similar to Weggies but way less selection) I miss Wegmans more than any person should miss a grocery store.
This is why I miss Wegmans. Every other Sunday when it's time for our trip to a "regular" grocery store instead of Whole Foods or Central Market (similar to Weggies but way less selection) I miss Wegmans more than any person should miss a grocery store.
Hey Jess - I do remember Wegmans. Wasn't nearly as interesting then as it is now though. I do love Central Market, but that big Whole Foods must be nice.
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