Rules For the Grocery Store

I don't mind grocery shopping. In fact, I often enjoy it. It's an education in what companies can think of to make us spend money, things I never knew needed. I'm usually not persuaded that I do need them, but when I have time to browse, it amuses me. And occasionally I run across something that I would like to try because it will save me time in the kitchen. However, this doesn't mean that shopping is all puppy dogs and rainbows. Here are a few tips to keep in mind. Rule 1: Choose your shopping cart carefully. After you yank it away from the others, roll it back and forth to see if all the wheels go in the same direction. 1a: The first time you forget to do this, you will get a wonky cart. 1b: If you have a cranky toddler or are in a serious rush, regardless of your precautions, halfway through the store one wheel will pick up an invisible something that keeps it from turning, leaving you pushing a dead weight that veers sideways. Rule 2: Leave your expectations at the door. 2a: The fact that the item you need has always been halfway down aisle 4, is no guarantee that it will be there now. This leaves you trolling the aisles until you bump into it, sometimes literally. 2b: Sometimes it is where you expected to find it, but you still have to hunt because it now has a new label and comes in 22 different varieties. Rule 3: Never assume that there's room for two to pass one of those cardboard shelving units that are scattered haphazardly in the aisles. 3a: I say haphazardly, but I believe that aisle designers get bonuses for making the placement of these temporary shelves look like there is room for two people to pass with their carts, when only 1-3/4 can actually get by. 3b: If your cart is the 3/4 one, quickly back up because invariably the other person hasn't noticed, and you'll end up dragging the entire thing down the aisle with you. Other than these pet peeves, grocery shopping is usually a nice distraction for me. Any other issues you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about them!