by H.M. Guffey

Created on: January 30, 2009

I have to make a trip to the supermarket tonight. I'm not looking forward to it, and I find myself questioning whether road rage and supermarket rage are that far removed. Is there a way to remedy this? I have some pet peeves, which I'll address here. I think you'll find you're in agreement. Where the question lies is whether there's a solution. Maybe a good start would be to forward this to everyone in your e-mail list.

Stopping Just Inside the Door: Why, people, why? It stands to reason that if you have to come through the door to get into the store, then so must others. Being the mother of two children, I do understand about removing everyone's coats, strapping the kids into the cart, and getting everything organized and stowed away before embarking on your shopping mission. I really do understand. But the least we can do is have a bit of consideration and move to the side after we get the cart. It's not that difficult. You go in. You get a cart. Hopefully, you're lucky and can choose one that doesn't have a wheel issue. You shoo the kids along with the cart to the nearest out-of-the-way location in the store, and proceed with the above-mentioned coat removal and stowing exercises. It really isn't that bad. Honest. And it just might keep someone like me from going postal.

Parking In a No-Parking Zone: Cart-wise, that is, inside the store. Now, in all honesty, the supermarket is to blame for at least 50 per cent of this problem. I just want to know who the wise guy was who decided that display racks in the middle of high traffic areas around the pharmacy and checkout areas was a good idea. Yeah, so it's good marketing. But what does good marketing do if you have customers whith homicidal tendencies because some inconsiderate bump-on-a-log jams up a major travel artery with her cart, while perusing the latest weight loss display? Not a great idea if you ask me. But since the supermarket layout probably isn't going to be changing anytime in the near future, it's up to us to try to be a bit more sensitive to other shoppers. If you're on your way to finding a checkout line and happen upon the display of Little Debbie cakes, please don't stop abruptly and stare, mouth agape, salive running down your chin as you decide if and what kind you wan tto add to your overflowing cart. Believe me, I am not immune to the Little Debbie display, but I handle this situation with care. When the evil brownies and fudge rounds catch my eye, I go past the display, find a place to

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