A supermarket observation.

[Saffron]

I have a little issue with the "they may not be able to walk long distances" theory. There are many folks (trust me, I know people who have done this) who say the use they handicapped spaces because they can't walk long distances, yet they spend hours in Wal-Mart walking themselves to death. A few extra feet from the entrance to their car isn't going to kill them. I think that is abuse.

Maybe I can shed a little light on why some people do this.

I am handicapped too. I have mobility issues due to a car accident years ago. I too have a handicapped plate, but on most days I don't park in the handicapped spaces because I know people with wheelchairs need the access more than I do. There are days or times when I will though.

I can walk, almost unassisted on even surfaces. Around my house, in the mall, Walmart, at work etc. But on uneven surfaces, even the uneven texture of blacktop, I can get into trouble. For-ged-a-boud wet, uneven blacktop, I will more than likely fall. Dirt, grass, cobblestone, little pebbles, hay laid down on a concert field to keep down mud, sand, sidewalks with cracks, rock beds etc, are all hazards I avoid. I can do uphill like nobody's business, going downhill I need someone or something to hold on to. Unless I'm in a mall, Walmart, my home etc, a place I know to be even and smoothe, I always have to walk with my head down, and I walk slowly, because just the teeniest, tiniest pebble that no one else would notice can throw my gate off so badly that it could mean I end up eating the blacktop instead of walking on it. I find I hardly ever use the handicapped spaces, but when I know I will need one, for whatever reason, it can make a huge difference for my safety.

On a side note. I did some grocery shopping today and found that there was no way I could look at what other people were doing. I was way too busy. But I was totally paranoid about who was looking at me. And the carts are way too tall for me to drape myself over. I'd have to be up on my tip toes to do that!

 

[northcapemaymom]

LIberty Belle - I don't know if Europeans shop more frequently or not; I just wonder if they hang over their carts when they do.

 

[magicmato]

Sometimes I forget that I don't have one of my family members with me and I talk to myself. Now that's odd! And if that's the strangest thing that I do in my lifetime...

LMBO! I always get odd looks! I generally have a running conversation with whichever child is with me. It is not so bad now that they are both toddlers and older, but when they were babies, people looked at me as if I was insane. "Sweetie, should we go get some frozen corn? Hmm... peas are on sale. Do you think we should get some peas hon?"

LOL! I still do it to this day and sometimes I slip and do it when I am alone. "Hmm... so I need carrots today?" lol

 

[bananiem]

- I know that people have all sorts of reasons to use their cart has a "crutch" so to speak, but one would think that using a device with moving wheels to support themselves could exasperate their problem, or they could just plain hurt themselves if the cart lurches forward.

Yeah, that's why they put wheels on walkers.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

LMBO! I always get odd looks! I generally have a running conversation with whichever child is with me. It is not so bad now that they are both toddlers and older, but when they were babies, people looked at me as if I was insane. "Sweetie, should we go get some frozen corn? Hmm... peas are on sale. Do you think we should get some peas hon?"

LOL! I still do it to this day and sometimes I slip and do it when I am alone. "Hmm... so I need carrots today?" lol

I figure if I can be the source of free entertainment to others, why not (and maybe someone will even start a thread about me on a discussion board ). One of my mottos is "laugh every day, even if it is at yourself".

 

[PrincessKitty1]

To the OP - I have made the same observation when out and about in stores. To the critics of the OP's observation - I know that people have all sorts of reasons to use their cart has a "crutch" so to speak, but one would think that using a device with moving wheels to support themselves could exasperate their problem, or they could just plain hurt themselves if the cart lurches forward.

People use rolling walkers all the time. Depending on the mobility problem, a walker with wheels works much better for certain people than one without. I'm an occupational therapist and DH is a physical therapist, and we both did internships in rehab hospitals that used grocery carts for practicing mobility.

My father used a rolling walker, and when we went grocery shopping, we would fold it up and put it in the cart and let Dad push the cart. He could walk much farther with a grocery cart to lean on than he could with a wheeled walker.

Of course, the OP is an RN and knows all this, but I'm posting this for people like you who are not aware that grocery carts can be helpful crutches for people with mobility issues!

 

[Crankyshank]

I can't say I've ever noticed this. I'm sure I do it once in a while if I'm tired and it has nothing to do with my weight.

the only time I notice other shoppers is when they're in my way

 

[Missy1961]

LMBO! I always get odd looks! I generally have a running conversation with whichever child is with me. It is not so bad now that they are both toddlers and older, but when they were babies, people looked at me as if I was insane. "Sweetie, should we go get some frozen corn? Hmm... peas are on sale. Do you think we should get some peas hon?"

LOL! I still do it to this day and sometimes I slip and do it when I am alone. "Hmm... so I need carrots today?" lol

When my niece was a baby, I used to do this all the time. Actually, I read somewhere that it's a good way to teach babies language. So the next time someone gets funny looks for talking to a baby, just say "Junior is going to go to Harvard. I need to start teaching him now."

 

[mickeyfan2]

I've never seen that.

Me either.

 

[Shugardrawers]

You know what? I don't give a damn. I don't give a damn if you are offended by my posture. Frankly I'm offended by the constant holier than thou attitude I encounter in your posts on a regular basis but I'm fairly sure you don't give a damn about that

I'll chime in with why I've been known to do it. Cancers of the pelvis can give a woman a "full" feeling, sort of like being 5 months pregnant but not showing and backaches are very common. To lean over some takes the pressure off. I've spent the rest of my day trying to look and act as normal as possible. I'm not too worried about my butt sticking out an extra 6 inches in the grocery store and offending the delicate sensibilities of a former nurse who ought to know there are myriad reasons people might feel better walking in that position. I guess you must have been absent on the day they taught compassion in nursing school

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Ok, I will insert a thought. What if they can't walk long distances? They are walking into a large mall. You see them several times during your day, running, acting nuts, etc. What could possibly have been their disability?

I have a little issue with the "they may not be able to walk long distances" theory. There are many folks (trust me, I know people who have done this) who say the use they handicapped spaces because they can't walk long distances, yet they spend hours in Wal-Mart walking themselves to death. A few extra feet from the entrance to their car isn't going to kill them. I think that is abuse.

I'm guessing you don't know or haven't been around someone with a condition that involves flares and fever spikes that can come on without warning. Someone that could be feeling okay as they park outside the store but after being inside a little while all of a sudden feel sick and feverish and completely wiped out and in pain, and the best thing for them is to get to their car so they are somewhat comfortable and be able to get home. I have.

 

[auntpolly]

LIberty Belle - I don't know if Europeans shop more frequently or not; I just wonder if they hang over their carts when they do.

No, my experience is that they don't, DD and I were just talking about this -- they don't spend as much time at the grocery store though -- I mean, ours are soooooo big anymore you could spend an hour in there.

 

[isyne4u]

there are a lot of overweight men and women who stand up straight and carry themselves well. this is not a post about overweight women. believe me, after being immobile from rotator cuff surgery, i can stand to loose more than a few pounds. its about posture. i haven't noticed any thin people draped over carts. obviously it is totally understandable why an elderly person or a pregnant woman would use the cart in the manner. this post was not in reference to them.

I'm not considered obese but you would have seen my back side stuck out yesterday dragging through kmart after two days of christmas shopping.

I'll try and make sure my butt is tucked better next time...don't want to offend any of the perfect people of the world.

 

[Saphire]

People use rolling walkers all the time. Depending on the mobility problem, a walker with wheels works much better for certain people than one without. I'm an occupational therapist and DH is a physical therapist, and we both did internships in rehab hospitals that used grocery carts for practicing mobility.

I work in a rehab hospital and I agree with you. I frequently tell my patients that going to the market can be easier if they get the cart and use it for stability. I encourage them to do this, because it helps them maintain some independence rather than sitting at home. There is nothing wrong with leaning on it, and I am just glad to see people out and about, going about their lives.

 

[auntpolly]

In Dawn's defense, I do agree that there are so many more obese people than there used to be that it's an american tragedy. I don't spend time thinking about it, or judging who needs the scooter things at WDW and who doesn't, but it does seem like there are too many of them -- not all of those people are medically in need - in fact a little walk would do them good.

 

[katerkat]

When my niece was a baby, I used to do this all the time. Actually, I read somewhere that it's a good way to teach babies language. So the next time someone gets funny looks for talking to a baby, just say "Junior is going to go to Harvard. I need to start teaching him now."

Uh huh! And I like to get down to his eye level to talk to him in the store, hence I lean on the cart and stick out my butt. We discuss everything we put in the cart, in full detail.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

why do women, (its always women) who seem to walk briskly into the supermarket, unaided, use the cart as a walker once they get inside. i have seen MORE women of "ample" proportions drape themselves over the cart so their arms extend up along the sides of the cart and travel up and down the aisles. an observation; THIS IS NOT ATTRACTIVE!

It would be if I were sitting facing backwards in the cart.

 

[Pigeon]

Wow. Some people must have waaay too much time on their hands.

 

[Missy1961]

Uh huh! And I like to get down to his eye level to talk to him in the store, hence I lean on the cart and stick out my butt. We discuss everything we put in the cart, in full detail.

OT: I was at my sister's house this Saturday. I was reading some threads & my niece saw your son's picture in your siggie. She said to me, "what an adorable kid!". See, all those lessons paid off!

 

[DawnCt1]

Wow. Some people must have waaay too much time on their hands.

are you kidding??? everyone on this board has waaay too much time on their hands! if you can walk through a grocery store and not notice people, you must be wearing blinders. you wouldn't make a very good witness, that's for sure!