Adventures at the Supermarket or why I shop with a revolver in my pocketbook

[Gingersnap]

Just got home from the store and it was a #$(*&@#$(& nightmare. First of all I am still sick and then to top things off I had to go to restock my jello larder. I observed 25 children roaming and at least seven others crying, screaming and generally having fits. I saw four youngsters picking off grapes and eating them by the handfuls (Yuck) and when I suggested that it was stealing they gave me that village of the dammed look and said "fuck off lady you aren't our mom". Now that really did not make me happy. I did get the manager and ratted them out and their mother was furious with me. "They are just little children"."It was only fruit for God's sake"

I was wondering if the rest of you folks might think about her comments. Oh BTW these kids were about in the six thru eleven range. In a strange way I feel very sorry for those kids but I shudder when I think of them as my banker.

 

[KillerMuffin]

This is why they have all night gorcery stores, so normal, sane people can furitively shop late at night when no children are present. I used to, before I had my own personal heathen, I mean bratchild.

 

[Expertise]

Sorry to sound nasty but this is yet another argument for the fact that there just plain aren't enough large predators around anymore.

 

[Bobtoad777]

i always shop after 9pm when all good heathens i mean brats i mean angelic children are in bed.

and at that time of night if you smile nicely to the young girls working the deli they give you a discount too

 

[Expertise]

When I saw the title I just assumed it was Deborah!

I was anticipating a rant in which she used a highly modified M-60 to take out a bunch of adolescent skate trash and half the produce section at her local supermarket for failing to choose paper over plastic.

Hee hee hee

[Edited by Expertise on 09-01-2000 at 11:20 AM]

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

My children are polite and help me shop and stay close, but when they do misbehave you cannot deal with them harshly just so someone's asthetic pleasure of picking out the perfect cantelope is ruined, you still have to be a parent and that means patience and, sometimes, that means noise. I have a distinct impatience for anyone who wants to pretend that children shouldn't be children, but "mini-adults".

That being said a six year old swiping a few grapes is no biggee (though I have to ask "why the hell isn't a six year old being eye-balled constantly by his mother?).

But an 11 year old is just plain "stealing", and calling out the wrath of the manager will put into him a just and proper fear of God and Supervisors.

 

[Nicole]

I have a four year old Ginger. Up until the age of four he was firmly placed in the shopping trolley (weather I needed one or not), he now walks around the shop and "Helps" me shop, which I have to admit I love.

I make shopping fun (I hate shopping), but it seems to make it easier on both of us. I do however tell him that if he is bad he will go straight into the shopping trolley (Cart whatever you call them), and he knows that.

I hate seeing kids run around a supermarket and am not about to let mine do it. I also hate seeing children cry, really there is no need for this, if my son should get upset for some reason I get to his level and give him a hug, explaining why (if I have said it) he can't get that Chocolate or toy, He soon stops and hugs me back.

I ABSOLUTLY LOATHE when a child, or for that matter an adult, takes fruit, nuts, sweets and just pops it in their mouth. To me this IS stealing, I can understand maybe one grape to see if they are to your liking but no more than that.

I once worked in a supermarket and this lady coming through my checkout gave me one fresh Date, she looked me directly in the eye and said "there was 10 so just weigh that one ten times" I just looked at her in amazement, not sure of what to say, mainly because this was THE MOST influentiual part of Adelaide (not that that should matter). Just one of the many things that happened that made me laugh.

So Ginger yes I agree with what you did. I also have to say that Parents (not just Mothers) should keep a better eye on their children at the supermarket (well anywhere really).

Take Care

 

[Isabella Thorne]

Sour Grapes

sorry to hear you are still not feeling well, Ginger ...

Hey hope this puts a smile on your face ...

This thread present a whole new interpretation of:
"The Grapes of Wrath"

Get Well, dear!
________
Well, I'm hot blooded, check it and see
I got a fever of a hundred and three
~Foreigner~

 

[Patryn]

Dammit, Isabella, you stole my "Grapes of Wrath" line.

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

How about "The Pickles of Pique"? No one's using that.

 

[*Eve*]

I saw this little girl in the grocery store once and her shirt was pulled all the way up to the nipple. She had to be about six or seven. Granted she was a child and there wasn't much to look at but even at that age, that is not acceptable behavior. Her gaurdian(not sure if it were her mother or not) didn't say anything to her obviously so I told that little girl to pull her shirt down in the hearing of the adult she was with. The girl looked shocked and gave me that who are you look but she obeyed and her gaurdian didn't say a word and I kept going. That's part of the problem too. Some people just don't care about their children like they should.

 

[CreamyLady]

It's okay, Gingersnap. I have perfected a way of dealing with the brattiest kids.

I kneel down, lightly touch his or her arm, look them straight in the eye -- they can't look away; it's as if I turn into the Gorgon Medusa -- and tell them quietly, and firmly, to stop it. Just that.

They generally whimper and run for their mothers, and won't let go of their legs, and then the mothers get all bitchy.

I don't care. The kids never resume the brattiness in my presence.

 

[Bobtoad777]

I can never eat cheese doodles again

I went shoppping tonight and I paid attecntion to the bulk food area and this kid was grabbibg cheese doodles by the hand ful and shoving them in his mouth hand and all then sticing that saliva covered hadnd back in the bin. made me near woof my lunch

i saw the kids father and told/asked him to stop his kid and he pretty near knocked my block off literally threw a punch at me for wanting his kid chastised

 

[Silverlily]

I'm sorry to hear you're still not feeling well. You said it was bronchitis, right? Much empathy, I get the chronic variety.

I'm curious how Mom would feel if someone stole her credit card. I doubt her reaction would be "it's only plastic for God's sake."

I don't know why parents let their children run willy-nilly throughout stores. I think people are afraid to admit their children misbehave, like it makes them bad parents. Rather than take responsibility, it's easier to attack the accuser and shift the blame. It's not their fault that way, it's yours for being so uptight.

I have two little girls. Some days, it's just too much to be still in the store. Rather than stress everyone out, we simply go home and try again another day. Much easier on all.

 

[Merelan]

Kitten Eyes, I think I am in love with you! It is obvious you work in the public eye. I just wish more people felt the way you do.
Would make my life, and theirs, easier.

 

[Earthgoddess]

Large predators a necessity today

My son is a typical 4 year old and in many ways that limits what I choose to do in my errand running. Generally he is very well behaved and on occasion even delightful. His requests for young brie for his sandwich is still discussed at our local supemarket. He wanted a strawbery and brie sandwich on beosh(brioche). He also knows my limits and is usually compliant. However,I refuse to subject others to his whims and if he misbehaves I do the Creamy Lady(sounds like a dance) and calmly stare into his face and tell him to cease.
If that does not immediately work I apologize to the closest store employee and remove my son-ASAP.
I have a tendency to freak out cildren when they are in evil mode-my method is a bit more direct. I will bend down look them in the eye and bare my teeth as I talk-the basic primate approach.
My dear friend once told a tribe of unruly kids that they Had to Stop Poking the Recycling Bin Immediately-as it was infested with snakes,one of which may have been a cobra. Then she told them that their mother would deny this since she wanted them to get bitten-to teach them a lesson.
This was the most effective method of dealing with children I have ever seen.
I personally love to shop late at night,noone gets in the way of a pale,wild haired woman with lots of meat in her cart who pauses to sniff the air...in fact everyone leaves me alone-and they always check me out quickly.

 

[Sammyjo]

Yep, yep, yep...

Up until about 9 months ago, my daughter was in the cart constantly. She always wanted to walk, but when I would let her, well...most of you know what happened then. She just turned 6, and I rarely have trouble with her anymore.

At the grocery store, I allow her to pick out a special treat at the end if she behaves during the dreaded ordeal.

When clothes shopping, it may be something like a lip gloss.

Some people say that this spoils children when you "bribe" them into being good. I look at it as a reward for good behavior. And if she isn't good...she doesn't get the reward.

This is just my way...it's worked for others, so I adopted it as well.

*** I think I relayed my story to the board about the baseball game. The woman behind us was so intent on her "date" that she allowed her children to run the corridors of the Metrodome. HELLO!!! This seriously pissed me off. I mean, she had like 4 kids with her (I believe one of them was just a friend of one of her kids) she was lucky enough to even GET a date (yes, I'm bitter...I haven't been on an actual date in a LONG time) but to drag her kids with her, allow them to run wild, then yell at them for whining and fidgeting...ugh!!!

*** Another story
A woman whose daughter is in our Girl Scout troop is a real winner. She's got 4 kids. She always drags the baby along everywhere...well, she's 2, not really a BABY. Anyway, the mother is always hauling ass around...never keeping an eye on the baby. I recently saw them at a school function and there she goes, to the hot dog line, the 6 year old following her...neither one of them concerned that the 2 year old might get lost, burned, hurt, kidnapped...whatever.

I could go on...I won't. Some people just shouldn't be parents.

 

[insideShiraz]

revolver

You people are clever sometimes, but I'm kinda tired. : )

insideShiraz

 

[Gingersnap]

You know I really do love kids they generally make me laugh and fascinate me too. It is just that if you believe "it takes a village to raise a child" then allow the village to help you. I was run over by a huge ten year old on a handicapped cart (you know the ones furnished bye the store)
Yet when I protested by yelling "OUCH" his psycho mother told me to stop it was frightening to her baby.


I congratulate the parents on the board who responded to my comments. It is very difficult to be a good parent and I do admire your wisdom and the considerable effort and commitment it requires. I am glad to know that I am not the only one alarmed at the unsupervised wanderings of such young ones in a public place.

 

[Sonora]

I don't encounter too many kids in the grocery store. What makes me crazy are the couples that take up the entire aisle and then have to discuss if they get this bread or that bread.

Then it's "But honey, the Italian is on sale and the Ranch isn't." "I don't like Italian, I like Ranch." Can't these people agree on anything??? LOL

 

[Merelan]

We must shop at the same store!

 

[Deborah]

Hey Gingersnap, instead of a pocketbook, try cargo pants and shorts. I dunno about a revolver, but a perfect place for a small mostly plastic pistol.

Incidentally, an acquaintance of mine just got busted the other day for strolling into a school with his legally permitted holstered and loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun. A permit to carry a concealed weapon is about as difficult to obtain as a dog license in my neck of the woods. Anyway, the dude had no evil intentions, he packs wherever he goes. He was in the school to meet with his kid's teacher and had been there before, armed and dangerous. Someone who knew he always carries a gun apparently ratted him out, for whatever reason.

So now there is a big controversy about whether what he did was illegal or not because nobody knows for sure exactly what the law is. To make this even more interesting, the principal, a woman, allegedly flipped off the press when they were pursuing the story, and she's on the hot seat.

So now the Sheriff, State Police, et al, are trying to develop a list of where handguns are restricted, even if you are legally licensed to carry a concealed weapon. Doh! They don't know for sure.

Well, I think I'll go grocery shopping and shoot me some watermelons (you know, like the movie 'Mr Majestic') before they put Giant Eagle on the list of places where you got to check your guns at the door.

And I don't want to hear any shit from gunphobmaniacs like Flagg. I learned my lesson. If you do coupons, wear a bra, and carry a gun. Hint: go read my story "Hit and Run" for which I won best non-consent story last year. I'm still hunting for that doctor dude.

 

[KillerMuffin]

Geez Deborah, you're makin me like you more no more and you ain't even naked

I come from a lovely state where getting a concealed weapons permit isn't very difficult at all. Most people don't bother, they simply strap it in view and sling the shotgun over the shoulder. Wish I were home now... *sigh*

After the OK City business in 94 it has been illegal to carry concealed weapons on federal reservations. These include, but are not limited to: military bases, federal courthouses, the post office and any branch offices of the IRS. The last for obvious reasons.

Most states have made it illegal to carry weapons (not just guns) into state and county courthouses and the like. In this state it is against the law for anyone but on duty police officers to carry weapons (of any sort) into a school. Oddly enough, my uncle the registered lethal weapon, cannot go onto school property because of this law but he can go to the courthouse. Of course, he normally visits the courthouse wearing the latest in safety orange prisonwear and those dashing handcuffs and leg irons.

We have a snake problem where I am living now, lots of pit vipers hangin out. The last couple of winters have been entirely too mild and the populations have exploded. One simply does not go off the sidewalk without at least a .22.

At anyrate, my child is 5 and rambunctious. When we go to the store, he is required to be attached to the cart in some manner. We used to bribe good behavior, but the problem ensued that he expected to get goodies every time we left the house and would pitch a honkin ass fit when he didn't receive. So we have withdrawn the carrot and now use the stick method. The mere threat of going to the bathroom with mommy is enough to turn my son into a perfect angel, well, for at least a while.

 

[teresafannin]

I always shop late at night, mostly to avoid the pschyo-moms. I have to deal with them at work. The most recent involved a child jumping from bench to bench in the shoe department. I told the child & the mother repeatedly that the benches were not attached to the shelves & the child needed to sit down. I finally called store security,they videotaped the incident & when the child did fall, the mother started to threaten the store with a lawsuit. The child was not hurt,just scared. When I told her of the videotape, she quietly left. My son was never allowed to behave that way in any public place. I must have been the meanest mom in the world,but by the age of 17, my son knew how to behave everywhere, from the fanciest restaurant in town to the cheapest BBQ dive. If more parents would take the responsibilit for their kids, we wouldn't have many of the problems in this country.

 

[Xander]

You know, I really like kids. I think they're wonderful.
BUT in the supermarket they tend to turn into the spawn of the devil.
Over here in DK, we got these little kiddie shopping carts, so the kids can run around with them. They are build in a way so if they bump into an adult they hit the ancle and the knee which is extremely painful.
Now, some of these kids just run around with these shopping carts and bump into every fucking living thing they can find.
I've had reconstructial surgery done on my right knee, and somehow they always manage to hit me there, and it hurts more than getting kicked in the balls.
Now I don't ususally adress the kid, but their parents, and sometimes I do so rather harshly. I really don't feel like limping for a week because they can't keep an eye on their brats.
Also I've seen the same thing happend to elderly people, and that can be downright dangerous to hit a nice old lady, with a kiddie shopping cart like that.
When I adress the parents about it, most of them really do put a leash on their brats, until they're out of the store. But sometimes I get some ignorant father or mother telling me to fuck off.
When that happens I really feel like finding a nice heavy 30 pcs case of beer and drop it on the kids head.
Actually it sometimes get so bad that me, and a few friends has invented the perfect punishment games.
So if anyone would like the international rules to:

1. Toss The Child
2. Kiddie Golf
3. Flaming kiddie Ball
4. Soccer kiddie Striker
5. Kiddie Wall
Or
6. Kiddie Catapult.

Feel free to email me. *Evil Grin*