Picture it… you just got done spending two hours trudging through a Post COVID Publix fighting for the last rolls of Cottonelle Aloe Vera (heavenly) TP and rummaging through the picked-over chicken breasts in the meat section. You’ve finally made it back to your car post 7 squirts of hand sanitizer and removing your face mask. Whew, you’ve made it out alive once again. Now that you’ve got your car unloaded and your empty shopping cart is in the vacant space beside you, what’s your next move?
Some of you may have seen this going around on social media, and one of the things my Mom ALWAYS made us do, to return the shopping cart or not. That shouldn’t be the question. “The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether or not you are a decent human capable of self-governing.” – Anon. There is no reward for returning the cart, no likes on social media, or no pats on your back. On the other side, there’s also no punishment. It’s not against the law, and the only negative coming from not returning it should be the personal shame one should feel.
In a place where you generally see the worst in human society (big box shops), there is no shortage of THOSE who don’t return the cart. “It’s not my job,” they tell themselves as they feel a slight hair raise on the back of their next due to the heat of shame rising in their bodies. RETURN YOUR CART! And while we’re at it… Put things back on the shelf where you got them from. Refold the clothes and put them back in the right stack (no matter how terrible your folding looks). DON’T open food containers and take some out and eat it… That would be THEFT. Lastly, treat service industry people with respect.
See, the shopping cart determines whether or not you are a good member of society. You must only return the shopping cart because it is the right thing to do. Hell, they even have little stations throughout the parking lot so that you don’t have to walk further than 15 yards to put one back. Even better, find an older lady or gentlemen and walk your cart over to them (after sanitizing it) to make their lives easier. If you’ve taken a trip to the store in your life, you will realize just how many people are NOT on the right side of this argument.
“How you do anything is how to do everything.” This is one of my favorite quotes. So yea, it does matter. Don’t leave an unnecessary mess for someone else to clean up. Take care of yourself and those around you.
Now, we obviously have to make some concessions for the elderly or those with young kids, but there are usually not many reasons why one shouldn’t take the extra 3 minutes to do so. I fact, it may help you get those steps in to reach that 10,000 step goal.
On not returning the cart: “A person who is unable to do this is no better than an animal, an absolute savage who can only be made to do what is right by threatening them with a law and the force that stand behind it.” -Anon.
Do right… HAPPY Tuesday!
-Jamey