The grocery store that I have been working at for the past year is one of the smallest, around 5 lanes, 12 isles, no self-scans, no rotating bag racks. Just hands that you can only make go SO fast, legs that chase down left groceries, and crazy weekends where we never seem to have enough people. Not to mention just when your at your craziest point, your name being called from 5 different directions, the phone ringing, customers yelling at the Coinstar, someone you know walks in and wants to talk forever. Which also, happens often for the only reason that everyone literally knows everyone.
There are lots of things to learn from standing back and watching human beings. You find yourself becoming very curious, but also very judgmental. You can't help it, you literally try to piece together peoples lives. It's honestly horrible but it happens. "Why are they buying so much Ramen noodles? Who can drink that much soda? Are you really going to eat that dried salami? " You feel guilty for even thinking it but you can't stop.
One time, I had a customer call and ask if we sold trees yet, I asked what kind of trees, the little festive ones, the candy ones, or actual Christmas trees? The reply was, "live ones". Right then I giggled and let the customer know politely that we do not currently have live trees for sale. He in turn laughed and said, "that was quite weird how I worded that huh?" Yes it was but I loved it. There are so many moments where I realize, we are all weird, weird creatures.
Some days, you get the grumpy old lady who refuses help bagging because we all make the bags too heavy and squish her bread, but would love help to her car, and some days you get the couple that are trying to be discreet about having to use the electric scooter, then crash into the end of and isle because they are harder to drive than they look. I kid you not though, they laughed like they were the only ones in the store, I mean bent over, fully belly, tears in your eyes laughing. As the Customer Service Lead I felt maybe it was inappropriate to laugh but I also could not stop myself because she just kept banging into the candy rack every time she tried to turn. In the end she yelled at her husband to stop laughing and pay before she "waps him with her cane".
When you work at a grocery store, you learn that we all have needs, and we all can relate on some level. You listen to life stories, whether you want to or not. You cash out the pregnant woman 2 minutes before closing and learn that panda paws ice cream and Lunchables are the ONLY thing she wants right now and that she is 3 days passed her due date. You learn that some people really really HATE corny jokes. You learn that some people just rather not talk to you at all. Not even when you day "Hi, how are you?" And that's okay. And lastly the most important thing you learn is that every single experience like these, only makes you more humble than before.
