Trust me, I know there are a whole lot of other things in the world, nay the universe, to ponder, but this morning I have to give voice to the question, “Why do people leave their shopping carts strewn about the parking lot?” There can be a perfectly good cart return five cars down and I’ve seen people leave their cart standing. I’m not talking about the elderly, mothers with young children, or handicapped people. I’m talking about your average Joe or Joelene.
It really bugs me and rather than think that possibly I’m obsessing about something fairly trivial, I’ve decided it’s symbolic of facets of our society as a whole. It’s disregard and disrespect for other people’s property, i.e. the store’s cart and even more importantly, the cars it could damage in the parking lot. It’s a fundamental lack of courtesy. It’s slothfulness — leaving it for someone else to pick up after oneself. See, it is no longer simply an errant cart abandoned in a parking spot — it is the manifestation of societal ills making themselves known in a public forum.:o
Okay, so maybe I am obsessing :)…just a little, but does this bug anyone else?
Yes, it does. They’ve spent their time shopping but are too LAZY to spend another minute to put shopping cart in safe place. For those people, I wish I could ram a shopping cart into their automobile and see the expression on their face and JUST walk away. Cranks me up, right along with the people who throw out their cigarette butts. If you smoke in your car, just put those butts in there too. And those who just toss them and could care less the damage they can do to another’s car. Do they really think this will help with the odor that is in there already^%$#@? Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Anyhow, have a wonderful Tuesday :d
Comment by Ginger — May 16, 2006 @ 8:36 am
LAZY! Yes, it irritates the crap outta me. However, it is certainly in keeping with the obesity problem in our society. Another LAZY-indicator. And in addition to Ginger’s comment on tossing cigarette butts out the car window - my favorite is “I saw it on TV. It must be true.” Fat Lazy and Stupid - are we proud to be American or what!?
If you think I am being harsh - ask a European to describe ‘the typical American’ I am way closer than you think.
Phew! Thanks for asking.
Comment by Ellen — May 16, 2006 @ 9:22 am
yeah it does, but at costco it is too far :d to put the cart back. sometime people are just lazy.
Comment by kim — May 16, 2006 @ 10:02 am
Totall irritates the poop outta me too. If I see an elderly person who’s done I will snag their cart and offer to take it back for them as well. People are just in too big of a hurry or too lazy, not sure. Even little things deserve to be done right.
Comment by Madison — May 16, 2006 @ 10:09 am
Whew! Glad to know I’m not the only one. And yeah–the cigarette butt out the window is well…garbage. (n)
Yeah, Madison, more than once I’ve offered to return the cart for an older person or a mom with small kids in the car. They’re always very appreciative. I think the next time I spot someone abandoning their cart, I’ll walk over and say, “Please, let me get that for you before it RAMS into my car or someone elses. No, please, you just go ahead and get in and drive off and I’ll do for you what you’re supposed to.” (*)
Comment by Jennifer — May 16, 2006 @ 10:12 am
I do like some of the others have mentioned, in that I sometimes will grab a cart from someone who has just finished with it. And not returning it has nothing to do with obesity (for I am overweight myself), old or with children. Some people just do not give a CRAP!
I guess we all have our hangups And just speaking for myself, yep, I am proud to be an American. :o
Comment by Ginger — May 16, 2006 @ 10:24 am
Ginger, I have to say I don’t think it’s weight related cause I’ve seen’em in all shapes, sizes, and genders leaving ‘em.
Comment by Jennifer — May 16, 2006 @ 4:35 pm