'Tis the Season

I've finally figured out what my real problem with shopping is . .  . it's the other shoppers. You know the ones I mean. The ones who have to look at the same product as you when the store is virtually empty. Or leave their carts right in the middle of the aisle. Or talk on their phone loudly. Or stand too close to you when you swipe your credit card. Back away, people! And let's not forget those who still insist on paying with a check.

The struggle has now expanded to the parking lot. I went Christmas shopping yesterday and was astounded twice in the same shopping plaza. First, I'm driving along the storefronts and I stop to allow an elderly man use a crosswalk. He was pulling a cart behind him and I initially felt pity for him, thinking he looked disheveled and was possibly homeless. Until he stopped right in front of my car, let go of his cart, and took his jolly time lighting up a cigarette! Who does that?

After he kindly picked up his cart and moved along, I parked and headed into the store and was actually pleased with how many items I found for the folks on my list. My mood was jolly until I got to the checkout. The cashiers were hounding each customer to make a cash donation to St. Jude's. Am I the only one who finds this to be a form of bullying? I don't like to give to a charity unless I've looked them up to see what percentage is used for 'administration.' And I really don't like big businesses taking credit for donations their customers make. Plus, I'm becoming suspicious if my donation is really going to who they say it is. Read the newspaper and see how shady corporations have become.

So, I give my standard, "No thank you" when asked if I'd like to give. That's when a new tactic was employed . .  .  she told me my total was $79.79 and could she round it up to an even $80? Ok, am I really going to say no to donating 21 cents? Irritating.

Next up, the return to the parking lot. This would be easier with a diagram, but I'll try to explain it. My cart was full of heavy, breakable items, so I rolled the cart to the passenger side of my car. I was able to do this because the parking lot wasn't too full and the spot next to my car on that side was empty. The spot behind it was empty as well. Just as I unlock my car door, an old lady pulls into the parking spot behind the one where my cart is, and CONTINUES to pull forward RIGHT UP to my cart! Now, I understand wanting to pull forward so that you do not have to back out of a space, but would it have been that hard to wait the 20 seconds it would take me to unload my cart into my car and shut my door before she began to pull forward?? I took my sweet time unloading and pushing my cart away after that.

In brighter news, it's been 50 degrees here all week. If I do not have to break out the snow shovel for the rest of 2015, it will be a very Merry Christmas. And if I do not post again until 2016, I wish all of you a Joyous Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!