On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 23:59:35 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>l, not -l wrote:
>
>> Hey, now you listen to me missy!!!!! ;-) Retired guys have things to-do
>> also; often, things that are just as important as yours. We have
>> appointments, dates, lists of errands to run; we don't all sit around all
>> day watching Matlock reruns and figuring out ways to get in the way of
>> "working" people. Hell, sometimes we are even running errands and doing
>> things for "working" friends and family who think "the retired guy's" got
>> nothing better to do. I'm retired; but, I have a full life and deserve the
>> same respect as "working" folks - the big difference, I've already served my
>> time working for "the suits".
>
>Tell me about it. I was busy all day today. Okay, so I didn't get up
>until almost 9 and didn't get out of the house until after 11. But I had
>to drive into the city to drop off income tax paper, pick up a book at
>the music store, go to the library and the cheese shop, then go home in
>time to check email and newsgroups before getting cleaned up to go to a
>dinner party. I was busy all day and was not bored for a single minute.

I can hardly wait! June 9 is almost here.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:08:41 -0400, TFM®
> wrote:

>
>
>"sf" > wrote in
>>
>>>That's a really excellent idea. You do a service to your community.
>>
>> I must live in a community that knows how to count.
>>
>> The *only* time I see people with more than the x limit in a line is
>> because there was NO LINE in line when they got there.
>
>If there was ever a line in line here, someone would surely snort it up.
>
>TFM®
>Pulling your leg.

LOL! Sorry... bad editing on my part. Glad you got a giggle out of
it.



--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:28:39 GMT, Wayne Boatwright
> wrote:

>On Fri 27 Mar 2009 09:18:22a, George told us...
>
>> Hmm. Interesting. It would depend with on the situation in the store at
>> the time. Since I usually do self checkout with 15 or less items, if the
>> self checkout line are too long, I use the express checkup if the lines
>> are shorter. If somebody tried what you did with me, they'd find a size
>> 14 planted up their ass....
>>
>
>My, what big feet you have. Or do you just wear oversized shoes for this
>purpose?

LOLOL! What a picture you just conjured up!


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:58:25 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo® wrote:

> On Mar 27, 11:18*am, George > wrote:
>>
>> Hmm. Interesting. It would depend with on the situation in the store at
>> the time. Since I usually do self checkout with 15 or less items, if the
>> self checkout line are too long, I use the express checkup if the lines
>> are shorter. If somebody tried what you did with me, they'd find a size
>> 14 planted up their ass....
>
> That's be great. After you were criminally prosecuted, I'd sue you.
> It's be really easy, you know, with the security cameras.
>
> --Bryan

ah, bobo, you're such a stickler for The Law.

blake

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:33:29 -0700, sf wrote:

> On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:24:30 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo®
> > wrote:
>
>>Ideally, that's the way it should work. Perhaps you do hail from a
>>more civilized community.
>
> Amen, brother.

well, bobo doesn't live there, so that's a step in the right direction.

your pal,
blake

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:55:48 GMT, James Silverton wrote:
>
> It is mildly irritating when a new line opens and people waiting behind
> you get there first. There are some places, notably Trader Joes, where
> some attempt to preserve the sequence is maintained. However, there are
> many more important things in life!

my recurrent thought while reading this thread has been 'jesus, some people
need to smoke a joint or something before going to the store.' (well,
maybe not the old ladies fumbling in their purses, but still.)

your pal,
blake

blake murphy > wrote:

> my recurrent thought while reading this thread has been 'jesus, some people
> need to smoke a joint or something before going to the store.' (well,
> maybe not the old ladies fumbling in their purses, but still.)

First rule of grocery shopping: Never shop with the munchies.

-sw

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:33:46 -0600, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:

>
>Swertz wrote:
>
>> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>>
>> > My, what big feet you have. Or do you just wear oversized shoes for
>this
>> > purpose?
>>
>> Every time somebody mentions big feet, there you are drooling like a
>> delirious puppy dog.
>>
>> Get a grip, dude.
>
>
>
>Actually, Lil' Wayne likes big shoes so much which is why he's into picking
>up clowns...like the d00d he "keeps house" with, lol...

Geeze, lighten up. You're starting to sound jealous.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

blake murphy wrote:

> On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:55:48 GMT, James Silverton wrote:
> >
> > It is mildly irritating when a new line opens and people waiting behind
> > you get there first. There are some places, notably Trader Joes, where
> > some attempt to preserve the sequence is maintained. However, there are
> > many more important things in life!
>
> my recurrent thought while reading this thread has been 'jesus, some
people
> need to smoke a joint or something before going to the store.' (well,
> maybe not the old ladies fumbling in their purses, but still.)
>


My main stupormarket is steps from my corner tavern, I find that having a
drink or two before going shopping takes something of the "edge" off of the
shopping "experience"...also in the evening (which is when I generally go)
shopping is less stress - inducing, you don't get the yuppie stroller mafia
or the old-ladies-in-your-way sets that can be so annoying.

Natcherly I tend to spend a bit more money when I'm "happy", but it's worth
it to me...

I also like shopping very early in the morning, say 6-7:00 AM, I normally
have the store to myself...


--
Best
Greg

Swertz wrote:

> Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>
> > My, what big feet you have. Or do you just wear oversized shoes for
this
> > purpose?
>
> Every time somebody mentions big feet, there you are drooling like a
> delirious puppy dog.
>
> Get a grip, dude.



Actually, Lil' Wayne likes big shoes so much which is why he's into picking
up clowns...like the d00d he "keeps house" with, lol...


--
Best
Greg

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> Tell me about it. I was busy all day today. Okay, so I didn't get up
> until almost 9 and didn't get out of the house until after 11. But I had
> to drive into the city to drop off income tax paper, pick up a book at
> the music store, go to the library and the cheese shop, then go home in

There's a cheese shop where you live? The only one
I know of near me is in Berkeley, about an hour-and-a-half
drive away. And this is in an area reknowned for its
food stores and restaurants.

I would think that a shop that specializes in chesse
would be quite rare.

Mark Thorson wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
>> Tell me about it. I was busy all day today. Okay, so I didn't get up
>> until almost 9 and didn't get out of the house until after 11. But I had
>> to drive into the city to drop off income tax paper, pick up a book at
>> the music store, go to the library and the cheese shop, then go home in
>
> There's a cheese shop where you live? The only one
> I know of near me is in Berkeley, about an hour-and-a-half
> drive away. And this is in an area reknowned for its
> food stores and restaurants.
>
> I would think that a shop that specializes in chesse
> would be quite rare.

Yep. It is called "Chez Fromage" and the owner is a cute and very
personable young lady. She sells about 3 dozen different types of
cheese, all very good and very expensive. She has recently added a
number of gourmet items and gifts. It is a pretty busy little place. The
odd thing is that it is a small village. There is a bank, a hardware
store, a convenience store, a small library, a garage (no gas) and the
cheese shop.

The next village down the road has 4 businesses. There is a very small
used car dealer, a bakery, a gift shop and a kitchen wars store, and all
are doing very well.

On Mar 28, 3:33*pm, "Gregory Morrow" > wrote:
> Swertz wrote:
> > Wayne Boatwright > wrote:
>
> > > My, what big feet you have. *Or do you just wear oversized shoes for
> this
> > > purpose?
>
> > Every time somebody mentions big feet, there you are drooling like a
> > delirious puppy dog.
>
> > Get a grip, dude.
>
> Actually, Lil' Wayne likes big shoes so much which is why he's into picking
> up clowns...like the d00d he "keeps house" with, lol...

You have a thing for clowns?
>
> --
> Best
> Greg

--Bryan

Mark Thorson wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
>
>>Tell me about it. I was busy all day today. Okay, so I didn't get up
>>until almost 9 and didn't get out of the house until after 11. But I had
>>to drive into the city to drop off income tax paper, pick up a book at
>>the music store, go to the library and the cheese shop, then go home in
>
>
> There's a cheese shop where you live? The only one
> I know of near me is in Berkeley, about an hour-and-a-half
> drive away. And this is in an area reknowned for its
> food stores and restaurants.
>
> I would think that a shop that specializes in chesse
> would be quite rare.

Ratto's deli in Oakland is not a 'cheese shop' per se but they do have a
wide selection of imported and domestic cheeses.
--
JL

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> My main stupormarket is steps from my corner tavern, I find that having a
> drink or two before going shopping takes something of the "edge" off of the
> shopping "experience"...also in the evening (which is when I generally go)
> shopping is less stress - inducing, you don't get the yuppie stroller mafia
> or the old-ladies-in-your-way sets that can be so annoying.
>
> Natcherly I tend to spend a bit more money when I'm "happy", but it's worth
> it to me...
>
> I also like shopping very early in the morning, say 6-7:00 AM, I normally
> have the store to myself...


Well, I can forgive the old ladies since I hope to be one some day, but
no matter where you go, someone in front of you will be dragging their
feet. One of my friends refers to them as walking cholesterol.


Becca

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 14:28:04 -0600, Gregory Morrow wrote:

> blake murphy wrote:
>
>> On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:55:48 GMT, James Silverton wrote:
>>>
>>> It is mildly irritating when a new line opens and people waiting behind
>>> you get there first. There are some places, notably Trader Joes, where
>>> some attempt to preserve the sequence is maintained. However, there are
>>> many more important things in life!
>>
>> my recurrent thought while reading this thread has been 'jesus, some
> people
>> need to smoke a joint or something before going to the store.' (well,
>> maybe not the old ladies fumbling in their purses, but still.)
>>
>
> My main stupormarket is steps from my corner tavern, I find that having a
> drink or two before going shopping takes something of the "edge" off of the
> shopping "experience"...also in the evening (which is when I generally go)
> shopping is less stress - inducing, you don't get the yuppie stroller mafia
> or the old-ladies-in-your-way sets that can be so annoying.
>
> Natcherly I tend to spend a bit more money when I'm "happy", but it's worth
> it to me...
>
> I also like shopping very early in the morning, say 6-7:00 AM, I normally
> have the store to myself...

i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely. most
of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't many
people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition at
the grocery store.

your pal,
blake

I just returned from the grocery store where some idiot entered the
express lane with an overflowing cart. I start off with "do you
realize that you're on the express lane?" She did. So why are you
here? That gets things rolling. She had kids with her, so I asked if
she thought that lessons in dishonesty and inconsideration were
valuable? She called me Mr Perfect, for which I thanked her. And so
on. In a supermarket that has a dozen lanes open, her sort is the
lowest form of life. The clerks are not allowed to say anything, so
the customers must, or else these idiots will just go on and on doing
this. Of course you'll be called all sorts of things, the least of
which is "douche-bag", but what do I care?

Another tactic, rather than direct confrontation, is to loudly count
their items as they place them on the belt. If they ask, you say that
you're just helping them because it is obvious that they are "slow".

If they have been "invited" by the clerk to bring all their junk to
the express lane, I just get the manager to open a lane for me.

felixthecat wrote:
> I just returned from the grocery store where some idiot entered the
> express lane with an overflowing cart. I start off with "do you
> realize that you're on the express lane?" She did. So why are you
> here? That gets things rolling. She had kids with her, so I asked if
> she thought that lessons in dishonesty and inconsideration were
> valuable? She called me Mr Perfect, for which I thanked her. And so
> on. In a supermarket that has a dozen lanes open, her sort is the
> lowest form of life. The clerks are not allowed to say anything, so
> the customers must, or else these idiots will just go on and on doing
> this. Of course you'll be called all sorts of things, the least of
> which is "douche-bag", but what do I care?
>
> Another tactic, rather than direct confrontation, is to loudly count
> their items as they place them on the belt. If they ask, you say that
> you're just helping them because it is obvious that they are "slow".
>
> If they have been "invited" by the clerk to bring all their junk to
> the express lane, I just get the manager to open a lane for me.
>
Going farther OT, you remind me of an incident I saw at my local
library a couple of weeks ago.

I was in the parking lot, waiting for my daughter, when an SUV
pulled up beside me and stopped in the middle of the one-lane
route past the door. She just sat there for several minutes while
the traffic piled up behind her. Eventually the man behind her
honked. She was just livid--at first screaming and gesturing from
her car, and then getting out of the car to scream more
obscenities and threaten some more. And her excuse: "I have
children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful example she
set for those children....

--
Jean B.

Jean B. > wrote in message
...
[snip]
> I was in the parking lot, waiting for my daughter, when an SUV pulled up
> beside me and stopped in the middle of the one-lane route past the door.
> She just sat there for several minutes while the traffic piled up behind
> her. Eventually the man behind her honked. She was just livid--at first
> screaming and gesturing from her car, and then getting out of the car to
> scream more obscenities and threaten some more. And her excuse: "I have
> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful example she set for
> those children....

We must've witnessed the same North-end-of-a-southbound-mule.

Did the gentleman in the car behind the mule blast his horn every time she
started to use that foul mouth? When mule was out of her car yelling, his
first horn blast caused her to jump like a blast of air across her nose. The
fourth blast was when she got his hint; mad as a wet hen, she hopped back in
her SUV and peeled out of the lot. It was an amusing diversion but I was
thinking the same thing about the example she set for her children. The
lesson from the gentleman, OTOH, was worth it.

The Ranger

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:12:00 -0400, TFM®
> > wrote:
>
> >I can picture Swertz and me in a wrestling match in the express lane. Heh.
>
> If you two ever do wrestle, please do it chocolate pudding not mud...
> ok?
>
>

Can I sell tickets? <g>
--
Peace! Om

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
-- Anon.

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:55:48 GMT, James Silverton wrote:
> >
> > It is mildly irritating when a new line opens and people waiting behind
> > you get there first. There are some places, notably Trader Joes, where
> > some attempt to preserve the sequence is maintained. However, there are
> > many more important things in life!
>
> my recurrent thought while reading this thread has been 'jesus, some people
> need to smoke a joint or something before going to the store.' (well,
> maybe not the old ladies fumbling in their purses, but still.)
>
> your pal,
> blake

Actually, eating a 'shroom is better than a joint. ;-)
--
Peace! Om

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
-- Anon.

In article >,
blake murphy > wrote:

> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely. most
> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't many
> people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition at
> the grocery store.
>
> your pal,
> blake

I made the mistake of shopping around 10am yesterday morning. Gads what
a nightmare! ;-) I stood patiently in line with 3 other people with my
8 items. One of the managers waved me over to the service window!
That's never happened to me before.

Most of the time (since I work night shifts) I do my shopping about 7
am. It's easy to find a bored, lonely checkout person that time of
morning, unless I had to go to Wal-mart...

They seem to be buys 24-7.
--
Peace! Om

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
-- Anon.

blake murphy wrote:

> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely. most
> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't many
> people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition at
> the grocery store.


A coupla stores near me are open 24 hours, it's nice to go shopping when
it's not too crowded if you can swing getting up and outta the house at 3:00
AM or whenever...

Speaking of wierd laws, until 30 years you could not buy meat in Chicago
after 6:00 PM, on Sunday not at all...


--
Best
Greg

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:10:30 -0600, "Gregory Morrow" >
wrote:

>
>blake murphy wrote:
>
>> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely. most
>> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't many
>> people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition at
>> the grocery store.
>
>
>A coupla stores near me are open 24 hours, it's nice to go shopping when
>it's not too crowded if you can swing getting up and outta the house at 3:00
>AM or whenever...
>
>Speaking of wierd laws, until 30 years you could not buy meat in Chicago
>after 6:00 PM, on Sunday not at all...

That was a butchers union rule. Meat couldn't be sold unless there
was a union member on duty. I remember the meat being covered in
white paper at 5:59. But back then many women didn't work full time
so it was a bit easier. Today it would be tough on families where both
parents work. It was a dumb rule.

Lou

Jean B. wrote:

> I was in the parking lot, waiting for my daughter, when an SUV pulled up
> beside me and stopped in the middle of the one-lane route past the
> door. She just sat there for several minutes while the traffic piled up
> behind her. Eventually the man behind her honked. She was just
> livid--at first screaming and gesturing from her car, and then getting
> out of the car to scream more obscenities and threaten some more. And
> her excuse: "I have children in the car!" I was thinking of the
> wonderful example she set for those children....


So much for parents setting a good example. One day a year or two ago I
was walking along through a local mall. A woman came barrelling out of a
store right in front of me without even looking. A second later, her kid
literally jumped out on an angle to catch up, almost hitting me. I
said "Excuse me " in a loud voice. The woman turned to her brat and said
"Someone is in a grumpy mood". Like it is okay to almost bowl over
adults in a public place and they dare not say anything.

Lou Decruss wrote:

> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:10:30 -0600, "Gregory Morrow" >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >blake murphy wrote:
> >
> >> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely.
most
> >> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't
many
> >> people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition
at
> >> the grocery store.
> >
> >
> >A coupla stores near me are open 24 hours, it's nice to go shopping when
> >it's not too crowded if you can swing getting up and outta the house at
3:00
> >AM or whenever...
> >
> >Speaking of wierd laws, until 30 years you could not buy meat in Chicago
> >after 6:00 PM, on Sunday not at all...
>
> That was a butchers union rule. Meat couldn't be sold unless there
> was a union member on duty. I remember the meat being covered in
> white paper at 5:59. But back then many women didn't work full time
> so it was a bit easier. Today it would be tough on families where both
> parents work. It was a dumb rule.


Thanks, Lou, I thought it was probaly a union thang...

Another question (this has also been asked in chi.general): at the several
Walgreens I patronise I'll sometimes hear an intercom announcement saying
"Help needed in the shaved meat department". What on earth could this mean?
I guess I should ask somebody that works there, it must a "code" message or
something...

Good to see ya, you've been kinda "scarce" around here lately...

I'm fine - tuning some gumbo I made in the crockpot last night and baking
some whole wheat bread, nice to do on this snowy late March Sunday
afternoon...


--
Best
Greg

In article >,
Lou Decruss > wrote:


> That was a butchers union rule. Meat couldn't be sold unless there
> was a union member on duty. I remember the meat being covered in
> white paper at 5:59.

That always bugged me. I think it was in the State of Washington. The
meat was out on display, already wrapped and priced. It wasn't getting
any fresher. But you couldn't buy it, even though it was just sitting
there. They didn't use paper, it was heavy plastic with big holes, so
you could see exactly what it was that you couldn't buy.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

The Ranger wrote:
> Jean B. > wrote in message
> ...
> [snip]
>> I was in the parking lot, waiting for my daughter, when an SUV pulled up
>> beside me and stopped in the middle of the one-lane route past the door.
>> She just sat there for several minutes while the traffic piled up behind
>> her. Eventually the man behind her honked. She was just livid--at first
>> screaming and gesturing from her car, and then getting out of the car to
>> scream more obscenities and threaten some more. And her excuse: "I have
>> children in the car!" I was thinking of the wonderful example she set for
>> those children....
>
> We must've witnessed the same North-end-of-a-southbound-mule.
>
> Did the gentleman in the car behind the mule blast his horn every time she
> started to use that foul mouth? When mule was out of her car yelling, his
> first horn blast caused her to jump like a blast of air across her nose. The
> fourth blast was when she got his hint; mad as a wet hen, she hopped back in
> her SUV and peeled out of the lot. It was an amusing diversion but I was
> thinking the same thing about the example she set for her children. The
> lesson from the gentleman, OTOH, was worth it.
>
> The Ranger
>
>
Are you in Mass., or are there more than one of such cretins?
(speaking of the woman, of course)

--
Jean B.

Dave Smith wrote:
> Jean B. wrote:
>
>> I was in the parking lot, waiting for my daughter, when an SUV pulled
>> up beside me and stopped in the middle of the one-lane route past the
>> door. She just sat there for several minutes while the traffic piled
>> up behind her. Eventually the man behind her honked. She was just
>> livid--at first screaming and gesturing from her car, and then getting
>> out of the car to scream more obscenities and threaten some more. And
>> her excuse: "I have children in the car!" I was thinking of the
>> wonderful example she set for those children....
>
>
> So much for parents setting a good example. One day a year or two ago I
> was walking along through a local mall. A woman came barrelling out of a
> store right in front of me without even looking. A second later, her kid
> literally jumped out on an angle to catch up, almost hitting me. I said
> "Excuse me " in a loud voice. The woman turned to her brat and said
> "Someone is in a grumpy mood". Like it is okay to almost bowl over
> adults in a public place and they dare not say anything.

Really!!!!! :-(

--
Jean B.

On Mar 29, 4:49*pm, "Gregory Morrow" > wrote:
> Lou Decruss wrote:
> > On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:10:30 -0600, "Gregory Morrow" >
> > wrote:
>
> > >blake murphy wrote:
>
> > >> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely.
> most
> > >> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't
> many
> > >> people causing angst. *maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition
> at
> > >> the grocery store.
>
> > >A coupla stores near me are open 24 hours, it's nice to go shopping when
> > >it's not too crowded if you can swing getting up and outta the house at
> 3:00
> > >AM or whenever...
>
> > >Speaking of wierd laws, until 30 years you could not buy meat in Chicago
> > >after 6:00 PM, on Sunday not at all...
>
> > That was a butchers union rule. *Meat couldn't be sold unless there
> > was a union member on duty. *I remember the meat being covered in
> > white paper at 5:59. *But back then many women didn't work full time
> > so it was a bit easier. Today it would be tough on families where both
> > parents work. *It was a dumb rule.
>
> Thanks, Lou, I thought it was probaly a union thang...
>
> Another question (this has also been asked in chi.general): * at the several
> Walgreens I patronise I'll sometimes hear an intercom announcement saying
> "Help needed in the shaved meat department". *What on earth could this mean?
> I guess I should ask somebody that works there, it must a "code" message or
> something...
>
Lines like that are shoplifter alerts. I spent many years as
housekeeping dept mgr at several Venture stores. I forget some of the
ones they used to use.
>
> --
> Best
> Greg

--Bryan

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:15:07 -0700 (PDT), Brian Huntley
> wrote:

>On Mar 26, 1:54*pm, Dave Smith > wrote:
>>
>> I still have trouble with the idea of a store being expected to keep a
>> checkout station open to accommodate the the shoppers buying the
>> smallest amounts and making the customers with more purchases wait
>> longer when they are making more profit from a cart full of goods than
>> 12 or less.

Customers in the 12 or less lane might be pushing a cart full of
groceries most of the time and are just in the store getting emergency
items. I can't tell you how many times I've had to run to the store
just for yeast. OTOH, there are more reasons than that to be in the
"short line".
>
>Shoppers who buy a few items at a time often end up spending more
>money overall.

Following that logic, it makes all the sense in the world for grocery
stores to cater to them. I happen to like shopping daily or at least
multiple times a week for food, the European way, and I am looking
forward getting back to that style soon.



--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:33:49 -0700, Dan Abel > wrote:

>I like the way they do it at the military commissary here in the US.
>It's like a bank, there is only one line. You don't have to worry about
>which line to get in. When you get to the front of the line, you just
>go to the next free checker. If somebody has a lot of stuff, they don't
>hold up a line, they are just at the checkstand longer.

I often wish that too, but it would mean giving up precious real
estate to accommodate one long shopping line instead of letting them
extend down the aisle across from the check stand.

I remember shopping at midnight one time because I was sure the store
would be empty. LOL! Oh, man was I ever wrong. The place was
packed. Almost every check stand was open and they still had huge
lines. I had to wait 45 minutes in line that night, which is longer
than I wait during rush hour in the daytime. There were no slow
downs, hold ups etc. It was just plain busy. That experience cured
me of night shopping.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:07:54 -0700, Dan Abel > wrote:

>sniff, sniff
>
>Anybody else remember back in the old days when the checker unloaded the
>cart?

Raising hand. Too many checkers developed carpal tunnel and other
problems. That's why things have changed.

I also remember bag boys taking your groceries and putting them in the
trunk when I was a kid. My parents tipped them a quarter which
eventually increased to 50¢.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 00:08:23 -0400, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>
>> There is always the self checkout option, but I hate it and refuse to use
>> it.
>
>I refuse to use self checkout.

I smell another survey in the making!


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:40:01 -0400, "Ed Pawlowski" >
wrote:

>There is also the "checker of the
>week" that seems to not last very long at all. You see them a couple of
>times and never again.

If I ever tried that job, I'd probably be in that category. You can
only imagine the abuse you'd have to take from customers. From what
I've seen in this thread, it would be more than I'd be willing to put
up with.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:55:16 -0800, Mark Thorson >
wrote:

>You bring up an interesting point. Trader Joe's
>doesn't have express lines, and they usually are
>pretty quick to open a new checkstand if the
>lines are getting long. (I wonder how many of
>their customers get heart attacks when they
>ring that dang bell.) However, I don't usually
>notice people with very full carts shopping at
>Trader Joe's.

LOL! You have to be kidding! I see cart after cart filled to the
brim... and ALL the check stands are open.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:06:14 -0700 (PDT), Bobo Bonobo®
> wrote:


>
>This is somewhat tangential, but here are some lyrics that mention the
>grocery store express line:
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>"Sometimes I wish I had Tourette's.
<snip>

Sounds like you need to shop online and have your groceries delivered.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:26:50 -0700 (PDT), Goro >
wrote:

>I've even been on the offering side and the person DECLINED. ?!

I guess you met Nancy Young. LOL!



--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:27:11 -0500, Lou Decruss wrote:

> On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:10:30 -0600, "Gregory Morrow" >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>blake murphy wrote:
>>
>>> i don't shop on saturday at all if i can help it, on sunday rarely. most
>>> of the time it's during the week, in the afternoon, so there aren't many
>>> people causing angst. maybe that's the cause of my sunny disposition at
>>> the grocery store.
>>
>>
>>A coupla stores near me are open 24 hours, it's nice to go shopping when
>>it's not too crowded if you can swing getting up and outta the house at 3:00
>>AM or whenever...
>>
>>Speaking of wierd laws, until 30 years you could not buy meat in Chicago
>>after 6:00 PM, on Sunday not at all...
>
> That was a butchers union rule. Meat couldn't be sold unless there
> was a union member on duty. I remember the meat being covered in
> white paper at 5:59. But back then many women didn't work full time
> so it was a bit easier. Today it would be tough on families where both
> parents work. It was a dumb rule.
>
> Lou

i'd say the butchers had a mighty good union at that time.

your pal,
blake

sf wrote:
>
> If I ever tried that job, I'd probably be in that category. You can
> only imagine the abuse you'd have to take from customers. From what
> I've seen in this thread, it would be more than I'd be willing to put
> up with.

I have not been a cashier per se, but have done counter service. I was a
part time clerk in a department store for two years. Some people are an
absolute pleasure to deal with. Some are just there. Then there is a
minority who are just a royal pain in the butt.