by Margaret Radisich Sleasman

Created on: February 25, 2010

Unfortunately, many who deserve the Look and get the look do not notice that they are on the receiving end of the look; so there is really nothing you can say to them.  This, of course, is the adults because kids know the look and are very careful to straighten up quickly before the look effects the seat of their pants. 

The other day I was in the freezer section of the grocery store and observed a man digging in the “healthy meal” section completely unaware of his surroundings.  His cart was in the middle of the aisle and there was a woman with a toddler in her cart going the opposite direction who could not get by him.  I was behind her, but pulled over the side (I am always looking for entertainment).  Coming in the opposite direction was another man with his cart.  He could not go anywhere because of the oblivious man's cart and the mother with the toddler.  He began muttering and flaying his arms at the stupid jerks that blocked the aisle.  I tried to give him the look, but thought, “What's the point?” I thought maybe I could smile and say “Having a bad day?”  But he would have probably run me over; he was in no mood for chit chat.

The mother looked at me and we both snickered a little trying to make way for the unhappy man to get through.  All this time, the man in the “healthy meal” section still had no clue that anyone was in the aisle or that he was blocking anyone’s path.  Finally, the unhappy man got through cussing quite loudly (not even thanking us for making a way for him) – still Healthy-Meal Man was unaware.  The mother and I wondered for a moment if we should stay and watch, but decided it was best to leave the man alone.  We could not give him the look without getting in the freezer.  Men really should not go shopping without their wives.

Later in another aisle (and I swear this is true), an Amazon woman barreled through with her cart almost knocking me down.  “Hey, wait, I want to give you the ‘Look!’” she did not hear me as she went running away.  No one was chasing her, so I am pretty sure she did not rob the store, but she looked very criminal and monstrous to this little old lady who is now thinking of using the electric carts for protection.

Ahh, then there are the mothers with the twenty children (well maybe one or two, I tend to exaggerate a bit); who block the aisles while sampling food, getting their free cookie (six times), or touching the grapes after wiping their oozing noses with their hands.  I have tried to give the mothers the look, but you know; they have quite enough to deal with and I am sure by the time they get home from shopping they are either in tears or grabbing for the wine bottle. 

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