Lost (Manners) In The Supermarket

I simply can't abide people behaving as if they are the only people in the world; as if theirs were the only needs of any concern to them. The grocery store serves as a microcosm of the world at large, providing a depressing glimpse into human interaction in the present day.

I can illustrate my point by providing some examples of the way people act during my weekly foray to the local supermarket.

Apparently when some shoppers enter a store, all other shoppers in said store disappear, so no one else is inconvenienced when they abandon their cart in the middle of the aisle while they browse.

Oftentimes I encounter people who stand in the middle of an aisle catching up with a long lost friend while I attempt to navigate my cart full of groceries through the store... The frosting on the cake comes when they shoot me an annoyed look when I excuse myself and pass by!

It remains a mystery to me as to why parents are compelled to shop with a horde of children in tow. When they need to bring their children along to share in the consumer experience, they invariably allow them to either wander aimlessly throughout the store getting in the way of shoppers, or run and play like the store is their personal playground, oblivious to the shoppers who have grownup things to do in a grownup place.

If I see a potential bottleneck further down the aisle, I will stop and wait for people to pass by. Others obviously believe that it is in their best interest to forge ahead, relying on the good nature of their fellow shoppers to get out of their way! I have even backed up my cart to get out of the way of shoppers who are too wrapped up in themselves to notice how their dilly-dallying is impacting others.

I am often met with stony silence (and an implied sense of entitlement) when I stop and let someone go by, even though they weren't looking where they were going and I technically had the right-of-way.

Very irritating are the people who come to a dead and oblivious stop to count their change in front of the exit door.

Oh, and let us not forget the people who park their vehicle (illegally, I might add) in the fire lane directly outside the exit door (where the curb is sloped for the cart to roll into the parking lot) waiting for the shopper they dropped off.

These are adults! How do you live enough years to reach adulthood without learning common awareness and courtesy? And if they are aware of it, shame on them for not showing a modicum of respect to others.

That's what it all comes down to...R-e-s-p-e-c-t. Find out what it means to me...

Manners are the manifestation of respect. - Gina (Me)

Barney the Dinosaur teaches that concept to preschoolers, and I try too - everyday.

That is why I have far less patience with adults who act like unthinking, discourteous imbeciles. Children at least have an excuse...they are still learning appropriate interaction. In fact, until the age of four it is not possible for a child to see things from another's point of view. Their brain hasn't yet mastered that ability. Even when they become capable of feeling empathy, the way to exhibit it must be instilled in them as surely as any skill.

Have rude adults forgotten how to show respect, or were they simply never taught manners in the first place?

Either way, it's time for manners to make a comeback.

The me, me, me thing is tired.

With all the things humans are able to accomplish, why is simply acting humanely to one another beyond our capacity?

After all, if Barney can master manners...can't people?

...and a dinosaur shall lead them...

And now for your listening enjoyment...(don't worry, it's not Barney!)