Today I spent 52 seconds looking in the chips and cracker aisles for microwave popcorn before stopping someone. “Aisle 12” she said. Wow! I was grateful for the time saved, and a smidgen intimidated by her snappy response. She was a shopper, just like me. Only not just like me. She probably enjoyed being there and therefore had a grasp of the store I might acquire by the time I’m 90.
Grocery shopping is a chore. Then again, all shopping is a chore. Many (mostly men) contend this is a refreshing quirk. I had one guy tell me I was a freak. I’d been called worse by better men than he, so true to the dork I am, I awkwardly thanked him for the compliment.
Over the years I’ve found a few drawbacks about this aversion. The latest one to come to light is my lack of knowledge about the wonders found in the aisles of your neighborhood grocery store – things even that I desire.
I don’t go up and down every aisle. I go in with a list and I GET. Target aisles are cruised down as I pluck and run. Wandering down an aisle out of curiosity would never occur to me. And I don’t look long for something out of the ordinary. I’ll stop anyone, employee or not, and ask if they know where something is. I figure most everyone in there knows more about the grocery store than I.
Hence my surprise today when I found the chocolate for which I’ve cursed Oklahoma grocery stores for not carrying. On Aisle 12. Who would have thought the chocolate I’ve coveted would be found on the aisle “beef jerky, canned nuts, and popcorn”?! The baking aisle is where I’ve always been directed in the past, but I want chocolate to eat, not cook with! Do I need a road trip to Kansas City or Dallas just to buy chocolate?! A friend directed me to an internet site, but I was overwhelmed by all the choices. Similar to the first time I walked into a Nordstrom’s shoe department, I turned around and walked out. Only closing the browser window on the internet chocolate shop was a much faster exit.
No more curses. They had a very nice selection of top quality brands and a decent assortment. As you know, I’ve been suffering a bit of post adventure depression. This mother-lode of chocolate and a comment left yesterday by Aaron have caused the corners of my mouth to lift. Looks like between the two, they’ve helped me execute my parents’ favorite line, “better pick up your lip before you step on it.”
I’m another freak. Don’t like to shop. Except when I’ve been living in foreign places lacking in Western-style malls and supermarkets. Then when back in the US or Europe I go on a couple of shopping binges for maybe an hour and am cured again.
That great chocolate is what I go for too, and it’s even GOOD for you (if it’s very dark).
Miss Footloose
http://www.lifeintheexpatlane.blogspot.com
Tales of the Globetrotting Life
Comment by Miss Footloose — October 29, 2009 @ 7:32 am
Reasors now allows you to shop online, and if you shop at the one at 21st and Yale or 41st and Yale, you will never have to enter the store again.
Comment by Trev — October 28, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
There’s an awful lot of Swiss chocolate I am seeing here. Go Oklahoma supermarket – Lindt & Toberlone, fantastic!
I have to admit that I do not at all despise food shopping like you do, I really enjoy it very much. Never go with a list – and I try not to go with too much of a hunger either – or else that’s real dangerous. I like roaming the aisles and discovering something new. When I travel, I love to check out local grocery stores too – always such fun and different products. Ok, I have admitted too much perhaps. Weird? Maybe. Off to grab a Toblerone triangle from the freezer… (try it, it’s so good!)
Comment by Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf — October 28, 2009 @ 3:15 pm