It just drives me crazy when people are too lazy to take their shopping carts to the return racks in the parking lot. Are we so lazy as a society that we simply cannot walk that few feet and put the cart where it belongs? Are we so selfish that we believe it’s our right to block a parking space or leave our cart blocking someone’s car because we are so busy? Is your time more important than mine? Is it really my job to pick up after you?
One thing I loved about Europe was that I saw so many people just doing the right thing.They didn’t play their music so obnoxiously loud to disturb others, they drove fuel-efficient cars, they were polite and considerate. Even their pets had manners. They were allowed in restaurants, on trains, just about anywhere that humans went and they behaved.
Have we lost our manners in this wonderful country of privilege we live in? Do we feel such a sense of entitlement that we forget how to do little things to just be a nice citizen of the Earth. To be kind?
What are your peeves? What are those little things that get under your skin?
Responses to “Guest Diva Cindy: Shopping carts and other pet peeves”
August 15th, 2006 at 9:17 am
We just moved to Memphis this spring and to say it was a difficult transition is an understatement, although we love it now. During our hectic house hunting trip, we went to Costco. As my husband pulled into the parking lot, I burst into tears, saying, “What kind of people don’t put their carts away?” I have lived (and shopped) in a lot of places and have never seen so many people leave their carts strewn about. So while our manners are certainly in question all over this country, Memphis - and the suburbs especially - may hold a questionable title.
August 15th, 2006 at 9:18 am
Shopping carts in parking spaces is near the top of the list but I also hate it when people leave their shopping cart in the middle of an aisle while they wander off to check out something three aisles away. Push it to the side, people!! Oh, and don’t pull up behind me in the left lane and flash your lights in an effort to get me to move out of your way. If you think I have room to change lanes, do it yourself. If you are in a true emergency situation, turn on your hazard lights to at least let people know that something is going on! I know this isn’t a “bad driving” forum but I’ve been steaming about that guy for a couple of days now. TGIF!!
August 18th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
Isn’t it strange that no one ever posts a response defending such discourteous actions as leaving your shopping cart in a parking space, or giving it a shove so it bangs against someone else’s car?
C’mon folks, there must be a few of you on this board. Enlighten me as to why you think this is OK?
August 29th, 2006 at 9:19 am
That shopping cart thing drives me crazy too! When did people get so lazy?!?!?! A couple of weeks ago I pulled into my local Target and the lady in the next slot was unloading her bags into her trunk. When she finished she pushed the cart between my car and her’s - blocking my son’s door!! But here is the real kicker ~ the cart return thing was ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HER CAR!!! She was too lazy to push it to the other side of her car. AARRRGGGGHHH!
August 29th, 2006 at 11:27 am
ok, hate me. i sometimes leave my shopping cart. note the sometimes. if my two little kids are with me and screaming, i have been known to put them directly in the car, unload and leave the cart. Now, if I’m by myself - never do it. Or, if the kids are fairly in tact mentally, we have a fun time and mommie runs to the cart parking area w/kids in tow and park it appropriately. Had to confess.
August 29th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
It really annoys me to see an abandoned card sitting anywhere near one of the return stations, even if it’s just across the aisle or a few spaces away. How lazy can one be? Another major pet peeve of mine is when people throw their cigarette butts out their car window or just drop it somewhere in a parking lot, etc., wherever they happen to be walking when they decide to get rid of it. I just want to yell at them, “The world is not your ashtray!”
August 14th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
I REALLY hate it when news reporters say “Get ready, “YOUR” utility bill is going up again!” Do they not live in the city of Memphis? Will they not be affected by the rate hike? All of them do this. They never say “our”…they always say “your” like they are somehow exempt from any rate hikes! Can someone explain this to me? Is this in their contract that they have to “extract” themselves from the news stories? I would hate to think that all of Memphis will get a rate hike except Claudia Barr and her co-workers. I’ve heard this on all of the local stations. If my utility bill is going up, Andy Wise’s better go up too!