If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I take a hard stance on ethics over here.
Well it appears that in my zeal to squelch obnoxious coupon behavior and peelie theft, I’ve completely overlooked another issue facing grocery stores today. Or at least my local Winco. For the record, it is NOT OK to punch someone in a grocery store. (And for that matter, probably not anywhere.)
Tonight as my kids and I were wandering past the bulk bin items at Winco I heard a rather loud argument between two grown men. I’m not sure what caused the argument, but I heard references to a shopping cart. I’m guessing someone cut someone off in front of the potatoes. Because things were getting rather heated, I decided for safety’s sake to take the kids to a back part of the store.
From a safe distance, I and other stupefied Winco shoppers watched, jaws to the floor, as one of the men began pummeling the other in the gut. It was about this time I decided to tip off the folks in the meat department that they might want to intervene. They assured me “security” had been called. Who knew Winco had their own secret police? Who knew they needed it?
On the way to checkout, I mentioned the altercation to the cashier. She didn’t seem surprised in the least.
“This thing happens every day here,” she said. She then proceeded to tell me about how a female shopper nearly took a swing at another female shopper vying for her checkout line yesterday. What is this world coming to? Seems to me I shouldn’t be so concerned if the cashier will mind about my coupon stash…she’s got other concerns on her brain these days.
Given this alarming trend, I’ve decided to share with you my official stance on punching fellow shoppers. Don’t do it. You may not punch or hit anyone, even if:
- Someone is a complete punk and raced to steal the last shopping cart.
- Someone bought the last can of tuna fish and didn’t bother consult if it was also on your shopping list.
- Someone is buying food without coupons.
- The store has fake “sale!” tags on items you wisely know are NOT on sale.
- And other similar scenarios.
If you forget, and end up punching someone, whatever you do – please do me a favor and don’t mention you read my blog.
At the end of the day, if I can prevent even ONE black eye, I know my work here is done.
Photo credit Gerd Paulsen
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t know about you, but if that happened to me – I would definitely not be headed back there – especially if the clerk indicates it “happens all the time”. At the very least, I wouldn’t be back there with my kids. Your family’s safety comes far above convenience and coupon-friendliness of the store! Be Careful
It got me wondering…is this isolated to Winco, or do other stores get this too??
I am almost ashamed to say this (especially since I am one of the peelie thieves), but this happens at EVERY store. I have seen it happen in downtown little Gig Harbor, WA and in Myrtle Beach, SC. True, some neighborhoods have it worse or more often, but it DOES happen. Beer rushes, meat thieves (a shopping cart FULL on a Sunday afternoon in their best), drunks, drug addicts, shoplifters…you name it. I even found out, a little late, that half my backroom crew were taking breaks on the roof to smoke pot or huff whipping cream!
Does it happen over taking the last cart, no…not really (maybe a parking spot at Winco FEDWAY though). It’s a build up of other things or they know each other outside of the store and their “angst” carries in. Being a store manager for a long time I thought I had seen it all but every time I shop after 11 at Safeway (in the middle of a residential area) I am reminded of all the stupidity and anger people carry.
May I ask what Winco you shop at? That is just scary. I think I might just starting asking some of my cashier “friends” at the stores I shop at especially Winco.
I only want to shake sense into people who don’t use coupons, but I refrain from doing it.
Did you read this a while back: http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2010/06/03/police-seek-woman-in-kmart-coupon-attack/
I think that is the funniest thing I have ever read on a coupon blog. Love your list at the end!
Oh wow! I though my WinCo drama was bad!
Seriously?
This just reinforces my rule of no Winco or Walmart shopping. Winco because it’s always so crowded and I feel intimidated by all the other people. Walmart because there is not a clean one in the entire Portland area!
Best time always to shop WinCo or WalMart is early in the morning, any morning. If I go to these stores before 8 am, it’s almost enjoyable – just me, the stockers, and my coupons.
Oh My Goodness!! There was a fight last time I went to Winco too. How crazy is that? Some woman accidentally ran into another woman. The one woman that got ran into was yelling and screaming. She told the girl that ran into her that she would see her outside. She was waiting outside!!! Scary! The woman had to be escorted out to her car by a big male employee so she didn’t get beat up.
I am always glad to read your stance on ethics in couponing, and like you, I’m mystified by the behavior of some “adults” in stores over things that just don’t matter in the whole scheme of things. Thanks for standing up for what is right!
Wow! I was just thinking of visiting Winco’s bulk section today! I’ve only been to the store maybe 3 times, but I heard it was great. Not so sure now ;P
I don’t usually comment on blogs…but this hit to close to home! I was just talking to my family about how the grocery store is literally one of the most character refining activities in my week! I go in expecting people to cut me off, steal my parking spot, lean over me without saying excuse me to grab something on the shelf, swooping in to take the spot in the shortest line- even though I have a crying baby and a toddler asking for everything in the checkout isle….anyone relate? So my new mission…to change the culture of the grocery store-at least while I am in it! I go out of my way to take peoples carts off there hands in the parking lot, always let people go in front of me in line, no matter how my kids are behaving, SMILE and chat it up with at least a few people
I do think the grocery store is a small example of what our culture looks like a lot of times….and thus, its important I do what I can as a stay at home mommy who frequents the grocery store! 
I’m so glad you chose to comment here…I LOVE LOVE your idea of changing the culture of the grocery store! Instead of sitting back and complaining, you’re doing something positive. Way to be an example for your kids…and the other shoppers at the store.
I have a suspicion you are talking about the Federal Way Winco…….I have heard some terrible things about that one. The one in Sumner that just opened is absolutely amazing. It is the cleanest Winco I have ever been in, and I haven’t been there at a crowded time yet. LOVE IT!
BINGO
{ 2 trackbacks }