A mix of entertainment and irritation that can render even the most boring task interesting, that would be my best take on super market sale days. The demographic changes on big sale days, you get the more determined types out and playing.
There are two primary agendas on “really big sale day”. The first is the most obvious, that would be the shoppers that are there for the really good deals. The second, and subtler, agenda would be those drawn by the crowd, the event, yes- the motive with some would be the pure and simple attention opportunity; you would think some are there for a photo op.
My most recent adventure was an exceptional day for people watching, this I could tell as we walked in the door (I’m an observer on such occasions, my mother, however, is a battle hardened vet; and being over 80 seems to allow license for acts otherwise considered inappropriate). The initial activity observed involved two very frail looking old ladies both with a death-grip on what appeared to be the final available battle cart, both trying not to get pinned down with responsibility for being aware that the other wants the cart too, (this awareness would require a more courteous response like “Oh after you dear!”), thus the tug-o-war continued as we entered the super market.
The crowd was the normal mix though skewed somewhat toward the female and white hair (these would be the more determined types) and most congregated in the produce department (where the best sales were).
I have a set of acts that I consider par for the course that I have learned to accept without concern, but this particular day presented some new and interesting variations.
A categorized list as follows:
Expected behavior:
Two carts parked side by side in an aisle way by two seemingly idle shoppers both acutely unaware of the others proximity to the desired goodies while mutually excluding access to the objects of desire with the tactical positioning of their battle carts. Also unaware that they are blocking travel up or down the aisle in question for all and every other individual participating in this adventure.
Unexpected behavior:
Miss junior high school cell phone user standing, strangely enough, directly between these two carts pursuing a very dramatic conversation with this weeks object of desire; which I’m guessing had nothing to do with anything for sale in the super market.
Summary:
As above so below. These three were so oblivious to the crowd accumulated around them in the aisle whilst treating each others presence (and agenda) with the royal disregard that the circumstance called for, that they appeared to be unaware of the call to service being unconsciously responded to having to do with an itching sensation having to do with their – well, to much information there.
Expected behavior:
That lightly inadvertent little bump of the cart, never enough to discomfit another’s balance (very aware of the dangers of this with this group), followed by the expletive “Oh, I’m sorry dear!” Hades has no venom such as drips from this courtesy – It means “Get the @#$% out of the way!”
Unexpected behavior:
Miss unrequited desire waiting for people to turn and respond to little bumps of this kind to poke around real quick in their battle carts.
Summary:
She noticed my mother turn her back for a moment and went for it. When she caught the look on my face (she hadn’t noticed me initially perhaps because I was more than three feet away, the ninety year old eyes may have had something to do with driving this dear lady to this), her response was “All the cantaloupe is gone already, all of it” at which time she poked a couple more times at the contents of my mothers cart while looking me right in the eyes with a sinister smile on her face, “there isn’t any here either” she finished with a flourish. My mother never heard or saw a thing, obliviously about our business we went .
Expected behavior:
The gentleman behind me in the fast lane (12 items or less) carefully counting the items in my hand carry battle basket.
Unexpected behavior:
The lady in front of me in the fast lane (12 items or less) suddenly and discreetly trying to hide a couple of onions in the pockets of her sweater.
Summary:
It seems I’d gotten between these two (they being man and wife) and created a target of myself. She was still well over fifteen items even with the onions in here sweater pockets.
Ah the justice!
While this lady was glaring at both myself and my mother (whom I had invited into line in front of her husband), miss “All the cantaloupe…) was going quietly thru her bought bagged and paid for produce – just in case.
The look on the cashiers face was worth a mint, I never have my camera with me when I really need it.
Unnatural Cami