I went to my friendly nearest Kroger store today.Thanks to a bossy self-righteous worker there – it was anything BUT friendly!

I was loathe to go there, but I needed a combination of items that I could buy in one store, and a store open early enough to do it. So…(reluctant irritated sigh) Kroger it was to be.

It was not busy at all when I arrived a bit before 8 am. I grabbed my things, went to the self checkout and made my purchase.

Keep in mind that self checkout lanes are triggering for some people. “Why do I have to do someone else’s job? Why are they replacing workers?” But…I have zero issues with self checkout lanes, though I’d rather not use them if I’m buying large quantities, produce or alcoholic beverages.

I picked up my two bags and headed to the car. That’s when I was “ma’amed” by a woman working near the self checkout. What could be the problem? Did I forget my receipt? Nope. Did I leave a bag? Nope.

“Ma’am,” she said “Is that your cart?”

“I’m not using it,” I said.

She had to continue talking to me (oh the humanity before I’ve had my coffee) 😩

“Can you take this cart outside the doors?”

I was…aghast. I muttered under my breath “Fuck if you want me to do your job.” Also my hands were full, I didn’t .much feel like wrangling a cart in addition to my two bags. I dragged it a few yards away but still left it in front of the main checkout  lanes. I know that irritated her (takes two to Tango lady).

You could say that it was a simple request and why didn’t I just do exactly what she asked? Tone. She came off as bossy and admonishing. Frankly, I didn’t much like her attitude. Especially not a fine how do you do first thing in the morning.

Also…what of all of the shopping carts that wander off premises or wind up willy nilly in the parking lot? There I was keeping my cart from meeting such a fate, and yet that wasn’t good enough for this woman?

To be fair, I tend to put my carts in the corrals outside. Which is more than most customers can be bothered to do. Clearly she fucked with the WRONG customer here (grrrr).

Also, as a seasoned retail slave, she broke a cardinal rule. Don’t ask the customers to clean up after themselves. What am I going to do? Tell customers to put clothes they try on back where they found them, ask them to refold items they mess up on the shelves, and ask that they not smear feces on the bathroom walls (yes this has actually happened).

When I leaned that my store was going to get shopping carts, I was cynical.

“Great, they’ll just be left all over the mall.”

I’m all about putting shopping carts where they belong when I shop at Aldi. If the clerk asks me to put an empty cart near them, I do that. I’ll bring my cart back afterwards and either get my quarter back or if weather is bad or I’m feeling lazy, leave it loose near the door. Make someone else’s day a little better by saving them a quarter, ya know?

Fuck this Kroger – every damn time I go in there I’m reminded of how much I hate that store!