A open letter to the WalMart shoppers in my city

Dear folks:

I have a big family.  This is not an apology, this is not an excuse.  This is a fact.  A larger than normal family requires a larger than normal amount of food.  Since my husband gets paid once a month - except for a small salary, and I mean small - I do a large shopping trip on the fifteenth of each month. 

This month, I opted to spare us all a reprise of last month's drama, entitled "Whhhhhyyyyy do I have to go to the grocery store if I can't pick out the food??????"  The principal players in that show, Mackenzie and all the littles younger than her, were happy to be left home today with a baby sitter. 

So, it was me and two carts today.  All by myself.  Let me tell you all something, despite my demeanor, it's no picnic for me to go grocery shopping.  In fact, I'd really even rather fold laundry - shudder - than grocery shop, but someone's got to do it.  We have grown rather fond of eating around here, as I'm sure you can tell by my daily growing behind.  The very nature of shopping with two carts means that I will, occasionally, block the particular item that you must have right now.  It's not intentional - I didn't wake up today and decide to ruin your shopping trip.  Rolling your eyes, muttering under your breath, and the comments about how much food we need don't endear me to you.  Stopping in front of me, as I attempt to drive both carts, is really a dumb move.  Thanks for the cut on my heel, as the cart I couldn't stop ran up my leg.  Blood in the Wal-Mart is fun. 

Really, I think that a big grocery should either have traffic signals built in, or crossing guards.  It would save me so much trouble, as clearly I was the person you all thought it didn't matter how long I was there today.  Everyone in this city was in more of a hurry than me, apparently.  I certainly hope that you all got to where you needed to be.

Pointing at me in the parking lot?  Saying, "Wow, you bought a lot - are you trying to fill up that big van?" as I unload my car?  Not necessary.  Also?  When I turned the corner, and my strawberries fell out, standing there and watching me struggle to get them was no lesson for your child.  When you yelled at him to help me, think how much more effective you could have been if you moved your lazy ass and picked them up yourself.  Smacking your son for not moving fast enough was an added bonus I didn't need.

Since you were all soooo pleasant to me, next time, I bring the kids.  THAT'LL TEACH YOU!

Comments

[Elaine]

People can be so daft. And I can barely control one cart, I have no idea how you manage two without bleeding on a regular basis. And Wal-Mart scares me... the people somehow seem to be so, well, exactly as you described.

UGH! Hope your next trip will be better!

[lucy]

I hate rude people. You find 'em everywhere, more's the pity...

[Dollymama]

So sorry! We too usually have 2 carts going, but that is for 2 week's worth of groceries. I am in awe of you skillfully fitting it all into 2 for a month!

I have even had experiences at Walmart where I was 8 months pregnant, shopping with 1 or 2 toddlers, with 2 carts, and had no offers of help, or once a begrudging manager came to help after making me wait a LONG time. He pushed one cart to my car in the rain, and then walked away. No offer to help unload it or anything. Bare. Minimum. Service. Because, that's all that Walmart is.