This time of year, more than most I think, I dread going to the grocery store.
The crowds… the manic shopping cart drivers… fighting for a parking spot… and EVERYONE is standing in front of what I need. Don’t these people know that I got stuff to do?
I had to go to the store yesterday for a few things we failed to pick up on the other 13 trips to the store (and yes, I use a list most times but sometimes I forget things… like that mom wants me to make lasagna for the weekend after thanksgiving or that my boys finished off the cereal and are gonna need more because the eating patterns of 2 tween boys are QUITE different than the retirees I normally reside with)
evinschmevin: This is the closest we could get to HEB
After seeing Evin (From Food Good, Laundry Bad) post about her trip to the store and the parking lot chaos, I was REALLY dreading this last trip.
Add to that the realization that winter is upon us… at least here in Texas what we call winter is upon us… and if you don’t know what THAT means, you should check out Evin’s latest post about “Texas Cold” and how that affects us because these are the thoughts that run through my brain and other people’s too… heck, read it even if you think you know what I mean because it’s funny shit.
But I digress… so back to the store… for a random assortment of food stuffs that were somehow forgotten…
and I thought to myself “Self – let’s not get all riled up over grocery shopping madness and try to see something different.”
And I did.
I started off by switching to the opposite side of the store to begin my shopping. Sometimes, all it takes to change your routine is to change your routine.
I started on the paper towels side of the store instead of produce… that meant second up was dairy.
That’s when I met her. She looked to be in her early twenties. I first overheard her frantically on the phone with someone (I assume her husband) arguing about what she needed to get. She was frazzled. And directly in front of the fridge with Half & Half in it. And I was almost out of Half & Half and can we all agree that me without coffee with family around for 5 straight days is a bad idea? but I was patient and waited… for her to move… and then she didn’t and quite frankly, she looked as though she was about to cry. I worked my way up so I could grab my Half & Half and be as unobtrusive as possible when I heard a meek voice that could only belong to this young frazzled woman staring blankly at the choices in front of her.
“Ma’am… could you help me?”
Well, being called ma’am aside, how could I not?!?
“Is half & half the same as cream?”
I could have just said no, pointed out the cream a few doors over and been done…. or I could ask for more information.
“What do you need it for?”
The look of relief on her face that here a *ehem* seasoned cook was not going to dismiss her was visable. She proceeded to explain that she was getting the groceries for Thanksgiving dinner (and I assume it being the first of such occurrences) and her mother in law asked her to pick up cream for the potatoes. I showed her the whipping cream section and explained the difference and asked if there was anything else I could help her find.
Apparently it was the last thing on her list (because clearly she shopped in the order you are supposed to according to the layout of our store) and she was relieved that she found everything.
As I continued my shopping getting everything on my list I noticed looks of anxiety throughout the store… the mother with 3 small children clamoring for this sugary cereal or that one… the husband looking perplexed as he stared at the bread selection that was already out of white bread (which makes the best stuffing in my opinion)… the young girl who just looked lost as she stood in the middle of the aisle not sure what she was looking for.
And for each of those, I gave them what I had – a smile. No one else asked for my help on that trip, but I hope that a smile in the midst of the anxiety helped in some small way and I somehow felt better about going shopping this close to the holidays… until I got home and realized I forgot the toilet paper…
so I’m going back… tonight.
I make no promises about my demeanor on this next trip. only time will tell.
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