a spinoff- the grocery cart and kids

[AllyandJack]

Well, since it's so acceptable to damage other people's property in a parking lot, I think I'll stop worrying about how I open my doors and how I angle my car in the spots. I take great care to park appropriately within the lines and open my door carefully if someone else didn't - often spending a few extra minutes and, thus, being later for work. I guess it's no big deal because, simply by parking in a lot or a garage, these people are just asking for their cars to be damaged.

This takes a lot of pressure off of me. Watch out if you park in any garages in Boston or in any lots in NH!

 

[believe]

Leaving an infant alone in a car around here....even for 30 seconds, could get you child endangerment charges. Especially if it is at our super walmart where all the cart corrals are at the end of the lot. I've seen it happen. It think it all depends on the area you live in what is acceptable and not acceptable when it comes to kids. My kids are now getting older and I can lock the van/car when they are with me.

BTW...I do return my carts to the corral.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Thank you!!!
I never understood why someone couldn't leave their child in the car during rainy, windy, snowy weather to return the cart. What exactly is goingt o happen to the kids in the 30 seconds it takes to return the cart????? You are right...it's pure laziness and the kids are a convenient excuse not to bother to return the cart. I hardly think the children will vaporize in that short of time

It's not even 30 seconds in most cases. The longest it ever takes me is maybe 10 seconds (not that I've ever timed myself ).

 

[In a hurry]

Leaving an infant alone in a car around here....even for 30 seconds, could get you child endangerment charges. Especially if it is at our super walmart where all the cart corrals are at the end of the lot. I've seen it happen. It think it all depends on the area you live in what is acceptable and not acceptable when it comes to kids. My kids are now getting older and I can lock the van/car when they are with me.

BTW...I do return my carts to the corral.

Interesting. You've actually seen people cited before for leaving a child for the 30 seconds it takes? We can't even get CSB to check up on problems in a week or two, when we have to make a report.

 

[phorsenuf]

Leaving an infant alone in a car around here....even for 30 seconds, could get you child endangerment charges.

Why can't you (general you) just carry the infant with you to return the cart? It's not that difficult. You have to carry him/her to get the cart so why not when you return it??

 

[lillygator]

Parking lots can be very dangerous places. People have all kids of places to hide. And in the hot months in FL and TX youhave people trolling the lots waiting for people to leave kids and animals in hot cars. They will approach and "watch" you...very nerve wracking.

what do you mean....crazy people or people wanting to turn you in?

 

[Nancy]

I solved that problem whern the kids were little by not taking them with me! I would go at night when DH was home. My gorcery store offers drive up service..you dirve up to the store hand them your claim check and we load the groceries...all free of charge. Our lot guys also do lot assists...if you are in the lot and are loading groceries, you should be approached by one of our lot guys offereing help in loading the groceries. That way they take the cart away with them.

I always put the cart back when I shop...way too many dings on my car from those that don't. And since I work there I have no choice but to park far away from the store...and on windy days, carts become little missles and can travel the entire lot pretty quickly and I think my car has the bullseye painted on it.

 

[In a hurry]

Why can't you (general you) just carry the infant with you to return the cart? It's not that difficult. You have to carry him/her to get the cart so why not when you return it??

I think he/she said he/she does return the cart. Maybe that is what they do.

 

[lillygator]

Well, everyone should do what they feel is right!!

I wish all stores would take on how Jerry's Foods on Sanibel Island does it....you shop upstairs.....and park downstairs...you checkout...they tube your groceries downstairs and you drive up and they load for you....problem solved!!

but, there is nothing wrong with not taking the cart back to the store. People are acting like you will go to hell for it. I can't speak for other areas, but here Publix has no corral and they have lot attendants to carry your groceries out and retrieve carts. But during season when all the (ok northerners) like to visit Florida it's very busy, you have to park at the end of the lot and there might not be a bagger to help you out.

 

[phorsenuf]

I think he/she said he/she does return the cart. Maybe that is what they do.

I wasn't referring specifically to that poster. I was quoting her for what she said about infants hence the general you.

I'll go edit the quoted part since it seems confusing.

 

[DaisyD]

The Publix's in Sarasota Florida have no cart corrals...they have to be brought all the way to the front on the grocery store where they are kept in and outside the store.

We have a grocery store like that also. I just took the kids with me and we walked back to the store to return the cart. There is no excuse to not doing so. Besides, the exercise is good for everyone! LOL!

 

[believe]

DH and I have always worked opposite shifts which meant kids were always with us and we couldn't shop alone unless on weekends and we tried to reserve that time for family time. At times shopping would mean going in the snow or rain. On these days I would do my best to find a spot by the corral.

FYI...parking by a corral is probably the worse place to park if you want your car to remain undented. I have seen many times when individuals don't put them in correctly or let them go close to the corral and fling them in. I prefer to park away from them and walk my cart there.

Everyone has their circumstances. I will not judge someone over a cart. For one place it isn't my job and since I don't know the circumstances it would be very unfair of me.

 

[In a hurry]

I wasn't referring specifically to that poster. I was quoting her for what she said about infants hence the general you.

I'll go edit the quoted part since it seems confusing.

Some of us are more easily confused than others! Sorry!

 

[lillygator]

Everyone has their circumstances. I will not judge someone over a cart. For one place it isn't my job and since I don't know the circumstances it would be very unfair of me.

Great post!

And DasiyD "there is no excuse not to do so".....while I appreciate your suggestions.......it is more than exercise to carry a 1 year old and 3 year old through a heavy traffic parking lot and I will not do it. I put my children in the car first before putting the groceries in if there in no bagger to help me. More often than not there is a bagger except in season.

 

[pixiepower1971]

lillygator- I was referring to people that watch for kids/animals being left alone in cars in the heat of the day and feel it is their responsibility to "watch" over them to make sure they are ok.

As to the crazies...yes they are there too! I have been approached by some real winners over the years. Take a self defense class or talk to a police officer. Parking lots are not safe places to leave kids unattended.

And for taking them with me...what a pain in the @--!

I won't judge others and if they judge me thats ok. My philosophy is that if someone has time to be concerned over what I am doing their life must be pretty boring!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I grocery shop only at Publix. As lillygator mentioned, Publix does not have cart correls. I don't have kids, so they aren't my excuse. I do not return my cart to the store. If I see one of the baggers helping someone else with their groceries, I will give the cart to them. Otherwise I secure it where I am, by putting the front wheels up over the curb. I get plenty of exercise during the week when I go the gym. Oh and my car has been scratched by a wayward shopping cart.

If there are cart correls, I use them.

 

[Marseeya]

DH and I have always worked opposite shifts which meant kids were always with us and we couldn't shop alone unless on weekends and we tried to reserve that time for family time. At times shopping would mean going in the snow or rain. On these days I would do my best to find a spot by the corral.

FYI...parking by a corral is probably the worse place to park if you want your car to remain undented. I have seen many times when individuals don't put them in correctly or let them go close to the corral and fling them in. I prefer to park away from them and walk my cart there.

Everyone has their circumstances. I will not judge someone over a cart. For one place it isn't my job and since I don't know the circumstances it would be very unfair of me.

I swear, I won't judge anyone who leaves a cart as long as they're willing to pay for damages to the car they might hit!

I'm not perfect. I've nicked people's cars before, but have left a note with a number. Not one time has anyone called me on it because the damage was minimal. I think this wouldn't be such a hot topic if folks would just take some responsibility for their actions.

 

[lillygator]

Pixie - I thought that's what you meant!! Just wanted to make sure!! You never can tell about people!!

ETA: not you "people" but people watchers!!

 

[lillygator]

and Albertson's, Publix, Winn Dixie and the old Kash and Karry (in this area) are responsible for the cart nicks not the individual person. Hence the need for hiring and keeping lot attendants in the lot at all times to retrieve carts.

 

[Magickndm]

Another Publix shopper who also does not return the cart. 99.9% of the time there is a bagger close by, I'll push it over to them. If not, I do exactly as Miss Jasmine said and just pop the wheels up on a curb.