Things Heard in a Grocery Store Line-Up
What a fucking idiot.
Who the hell you think is getting all the money? It ain’t us that’s for gd sure.
You know, socialism is the only answer. Socialism is for the people, not the rich.
The rich can fuckin’ die for all I care. All I want is to be able to afford to pay my mortgage and eat.
Declined.
I’m sorry. I don’t have enough money. I’ll have to take something out.
Mommy. Please can I have a bag of Skittles?
Put it back! I can’t afford it.
Isn’t [that] on sale?
No ma’am. That brand isn’t.
Oh. Oh. [pause] I can’t afford it.
Howling, tired cries of a child sitting in a grocery cart.
Stop it or I’ll give you something to cry about.
Where the hell do you hide the fuckin’ baking soda?
In the baking aisle, sir. Top shelf. Beside the baking powder.
Your PIN is invalid.
I don’t remember it.
Ma’am You’re holding up the line.
I'm sorry. I just can't remember it.
Then you'll have to go and come back when you do.
But it's such a long walk.
I'm sorry ma'am. But you're holding up the line.
Hi. Can I help? I don't mind paying for your groceries. It's only cat food and milk.
Things Seen in a Grocery Store
Overburdened cart abandoned at checkout.
Half eaten apple on canned soup shelf.
Footprints in trail of flour from broken bag on floor in baking aisle.
Couple making out in produce aisle.
Child sitting on floor crying.
Mother yanking at child’s arm.
Child sitting on floor crying.
Mother sitting on floor beside child, soothing them.
Man eating unwashed, and unpaid for, grapes from bag in basket as he shops.
Broken jar of jam on the floor of the Coffee. Jam and Sundries aisle.
Woman touching and firmly squeezing every tomato before choosing one.
Child running, slipping on spilt milk and skinning their knee.
Father angrily yelling at them to get up or else...
Two young siblings fighting over who gets to push the cart.
Two young siblings racing two empty carts down frozen foods aisle.
The ‘a’ missing in the B_kery sign.
No twist ties in produce section.
People who smile at the cashier.
People who don’t acknowledge the cashier.
People who leave their groceries mid-way through checkout while they go search for that one forgotten thing while everyone waits, and waits, for their return.
Things Felt in the Grocery Store
Frustration.
Anger.
Worry.
Fear.
Joy.
YES! They have the spice I’m looking for.
Impatience.
Judgement.
Consternation.
Intimidation.
Relief.
Frozen pizza’s on sale!
Bewilderment.
Confusion.
Hopelessness.
Anxiety.
Hopefulness.
There’s fresh bread.
Dare Boldly 
pleasing! Self-Replicating Nanobots Could Clean Oceans 2025 fine
LikeLike
Such pain, and yet somehow there is also joy. I’ve been both those parents, but thankfully, I’ve always had enough cash to buy my groceries. I am on the super friendly side so I talk in the line up or to the cashier or along the aisles. Being mindful that caring and connecting, even on a more superficial level, benefits us all
LikeLiked by 2 people
There is so much pain all around Bernie. I once asked a woman who was screaming at her crying child if there was anything I could do to help. “Can I perhaps push your buggy to your car so you can hold him and help him calm down?” Her gratitude was surprising. I was worried she might tell me to ‘mind your own business.’ Caring and connecting makes a world of difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Elgie,
Really, officer, it was only two grapes. One to make sure they were fresh tasting, the second because I was hungry …
And the meat item was left on a shelf in the pasta aisle because quick math confirmed ‘too much in the cart’ and something must be put back but it seemed shameful to go back to that area and to be seen putting it back …
things we’ve seen, things we’ve done – like your list, some of them we’ve seen over time, or have done …
some a long time ago
some last evening
Life is both too short and not long enough – but it seems, these are things we need to see again and again and to experience from time to time
What the value is, I’m not always sure, but it seems I’m going to live a lot longer than statistics might suggest
and I have to go stir the pot of soup on the stove and add the pasta at just the right time …
Happy soup-making day, no foolin’
M
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL!
Great respoinse Mark. Thank you — and yes…
ONe of the reasons I wrote it out was I was musing on how small things start accumulating into big things until, I feel like all I’m noticing are the big, ugly things.
So… to bring it all back into porportion. I wrote it out in a list. Laughed at myself especially as I noticed how much judgement had crept in without my realizing it!
Here’s to soup making days and… for me… walks along the shoreline under a brilliant blue sky. Whitecaps tip the waves. Wind blows and life looks mighty fine!
LikeLiked by 1 person