Adult Shop

As a working mom and a previously self-confessed procrastinator, once I settle in and do something, I like to take a streamlined approach. I never mind doing the mundane chores that need to get done – folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, re-lacing a child’s sneaker – because I know attitude has the greatest impact on quality of life. However, there are times when I lose sight of my own belief.

Saturday afternoon found me in my local supermarket – a full eight hours later than my normal visit. Not only has the store decided to undergo a major redesign of their plan-o-gram, my visit coincided with a visit from the SCAT bus – the senior citizen association transportation vehicle. Me and fifty super seniors – 80-years or older – were trying to navigate a chaotic store where the peanut butter was where the paper towels should be and the candy and coffee was nowhere in sight.

I tried to have patience as the numerous motorized carts chugged along making it impossible to cruise quickly down an aisle that wasn’t on my list. Because I organize the weekly shop on my BlackBerry according to the store design and delete items as they’re added to my cart, my system was rendered useless. Even a store clerk commented that everyone was frustrated. But a large part of the problem was the super seniors.

At 80-years-old, it doesn’t seem to matter if you stop in the middle of the aisle for no reason other than to argue with your aide or companion. There’s no regard for pulling the cart to the side or grabbing and going in an orderly fashion. Heaven forbid you ask them to slide over. “What’s your hurry?” one of them barked. That surprised me, too. After all, the early-bird special was only valid for another three hours. Their slow movement slowed me down and my normally 20-minute shop was approaching the hour mark.

I realize I’m inching towards the start of my senior years, but much like the local pool had adult swim where only those whole knew not to splash or summersault were welcome, the market – especially during challenging times that involve closed freezer cases and displaced canned goods – should consider augmenting store hours for adult shop to keep the pace moving for the busy moms, working women and inpatient men.

Before you get up in arms about unfairness to seniors, I’m also thinking ahead. Sooner than I like, I’ll be tucking an AARP card into my wallet. When I’m old, gray-haired and shuffling my feet, it’d be nice to know that some fiery-redhead isn’t barreling at me with her cart wishing I’d hurry along.