License needed for Supermarket Shoppers

[chico bill]

OK there is another thread they want people over 65 to do a test for a driver's license every year. Because many do go downhill fast.
I am over 70, still work out some, do a lot of reading and my waist has never been larger than 34". Sure I'm not the coxman I was in my 20s but I would classify myself as very aware. I'm definitely not clueless as so many gray haired seniors I see in DR. Maybe they've pickled their brains on cheap rum.

So I was in the Supermarket here today in Sosua and there were 3 senior women, likely from a Slavic country from the sound of their language?

But they stood in front of the soft drink cooler with one empty large cart and one empty small one parked side by side, completely blocking the isle. You think one of them would be aware enough to move the cart but no I had to move it after 30 seconds with the 3 trying to decide which sugary drinks to buy.

Later they ran into a 4th older female friend and they parked their carts and the friend's at the intersection of perpendicular isles and all were standing a bit away chatting, completely unaware they again were blocking everyone. Fortunately a 'security' person came and broke up the cluck-fest.

After getting past them I came to 5 NY Jet Blue tourists, not one under 260 lbs, all standing in front of the deli counter. They had only one cart nearly full, but try to get around 1400 lbs of clueless shoppers and their cart without offending their oblivious rude behavior. Not one of them looked at the tapón they created.
Maybe it's just Sosua but I doubt it.

So I propose supermarkets test seniors over 70 and all 'group' shoppers to see if they can pass basic courtesy shopping skills. There are many that should send an alert person with a list to shop for them.

 

[Manuel01]

OK there is another thread they want people over 65 to do a test for a driver's license every year. Because many do go downhill fast.
I am over 70, still work out some, do a lot of reading and my waist has never been larger than 34". Sure I'm not the coxman I was in my 20s but I would classify myself as very aware. I'm definitely not clueless as so many gray haired seniors I see in DR. Maybe they've pickled their brains on cheap rum.

So I was in the Supermarket here today in Sosua and there were 3 senior women, likely from a Slavic country from the sound of their language?

But they stood in front of the soft drink cooler with one empty large cart and one empty small one parked side by side, completely blocking the isle. You think one of them would be aware enough to move the cart but no I had to move it after 30 seconds with the 3 trying to decide which sugary drinks to buy.

Later they ran into a 4th older female friend and they parked their carts and the friend's at the intersection of perpendicular isles and all were standing a bit away chatting, completely unaware they again were blocking everyone. Fortunately a 'security' person came and broke up the cluck-fest.

After getting past them I came to 5 NY Jet Blue tourists, not one under 260 lbs, all standing in front of the deli counter. They had only one cart nearly full, but try to get around 1400 lbs of clueless shoppers and their cart without offending their oblivious rude behavior. Not one of them looked at the tapón they created.
Maybe it's just Sosua but I doubt it.

So I propose supermarkets test seniors over 70 and all 'group' shoppers to see if they can pass basic courtesy shopping skills. There are many that should send an alert person with a list to shop for them.

Actually also typical Dominican Behavior but with an easy fix. When ever i encounter a shopping cart blocking an isle or any counter at the Supermarket, i "steal it" and bring it to one of the cashiers counter. Within minutes some kid from the store makes his round with this cart to return all the items. I did it a hundred times already and i love it. My "Victims" will never leave a cart unattended again.

 

[Big]

OK there is another thread they want people over 65 to do a test for a driver's license every year. Because many do go downhill fast.
I am over 70, still work out some, do a lot of reading and my waist has never been larger than 34". Sure I'm not the coxman I was in my 20s but I would classify myself as very aware. I'm definitely not clueless as so many gray haired seniors I see in DR. Maybe they've pickled their brains on cheap rum.

So I was in the Supermarket here today in Sosua and there were 3 senior women, likely from a Slavic country from the sound of their language?

But they stood in front of the soft drink cooler with one empty large cart and one empty small one parked side by side, completely blocking the isle. You think one of them would be aware enough to move the cart but no I had to move it after 30 seconds with the 3 trying to decide which sugary drinks to buy.

Later they ran into a 4th older female friend and they parked their carts and the friend's at the intersection of perpendicular isles and all were standing a bit away chatting, completely unaware they again were blocking everyone. Fortunately a 'security' person came and broke up the cluck-fest.

After getting past them I came to 5 NY Jet Blue tourists, not one under 260 lbs, all standing in front of the deli counter. They had only one cart nearly full, but try to get around 1400 lbs of clueless shoppers and their cart without offending their oblivious rude behavior. Not one of them looked at the tapón they created.
Maybe it's just Sosua but I doubt it.

So I propose supermarkets test seniors over 70 and all 'group' shoppers to see if they can pass basic courtesy shopping skills. There are many that should send an alert person with a list to shop for them.

rude and inconsiderate behavior crosses all cultures and countries. Certain venues attract slovenly and rude people. AI resorts, fast food joints and NASCAR events.

 

[CristoRey]

I say excuse me. If ignored I move the cart out of my way.

 

[Farmer]

I get Chico's frustration while shopping. Large supermarkets have typical checkout lanes that funnel you through. Here in Sajoma in the smaller super mercados the checkout is basically approachable from 180 degrees in front of the counter. Lines? We don't need no stinking lines. Folks seem to simply ignore that a couple people might be patiently waiting their turn and get in line, but many just dump their armload of goods on the counter and stick a peso denomination out. No different than their behavior while driving. Always gotta be first. Then, they got 1000 pesos and the bill comes to 700 pesos so they leave the counter to go find 4 more platanos, some cilantro y que se yo. I sometimes lose my polite gringo demeanor at that point.

 

[JD Jones]

Go earlier in the day and you'll probably avoid all of those headaches.

I go at 3 in the afternoon and it's pretty calm at that hour. Then again, no tourists in my part of the world.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

If that is all the inconvenientes you encountered today, how fortunate you are. I am 71 and 42 members of my graduating class are no longer living. Seems you are in good shape and well fed, living the good life.

I cannot comment for others. But personally, I try to look at all the good things I have experienced in each day. It helps me keep perspective.

I once read that people with negative outlooks die sooner. Do not know if it is true but what is the risk of looking on the positive side and being kind?

 

[Northern Coast Diver]

If that is all the inconvenientes you encountered today, how fortunate you are. I am 71 and 42 members of my graduating class are no longer living. Seems you are in good shape and well fed, living the good life.

I cannot comment for others. But personally, I try to look at all the good things I have experienced in each day. It helps me keep perspective.

I once read that people with negative outlooks die sooner. Do not know if it is true but what is the risk of looking on the positive side and being kind?

If Chico and others like him were unable to complain, they would be incapable of participating. Some folks just don"t get positivity and kindness.

 

[keepcoming]

As we age (or at least me) my tolerance for being in large crowds (grocery stores, etc) has gone down. When I go to the grocery store, I take a deep breath before walking in the door and smile. I go about my shopping and do not let the little things bother me. If someone is in my way, I will politely say excuse me, works for me.

 

[cavok]

I've noticed the same thing as CB except it seems to apply to all ages. The majority of people in supermarkets seem to be totally oblivious to the fact that there are other people around. They're just lost in their own little world. The total lack of awareness is astounding.

 

[NanSanPedro]

I've noticed the same thing as CB except it seems to apply to all ages. The majority of people in supermarkets seem to be totally oblivious to the fact that there are other people around. They're just lost in their own little world. The total lack of awareness is astounding.

I see that in San Isidro and also parking. They block a lane as they fill their car with groceries while there are 100 parking spots available.

 

[SKY]

I see that in San Isidro and also parking. They block a lane as they fill their car with groceries while there are 100 parking spots available.

Also they will fit into the tightest spot if it is 10 feet closer to the door. No regard for the cars next to it. Always better to park far from the door and save the scratches on your car............

 

[josh2203]

After doing grocery runs in EU for 2 years straight I have noticed that every single supermarket here has the aisles awfully narrow. Jumbo is the worst. Back home, to any aisle you can easily fit 4 large shopping carts side by side, in Jumbo, you can hardly pass one. Sirena is a bit better but I really don't get what has been the point with the aisle size whoever at CCN is in charge of doing the floorplans of the markets...

 

[josh2203]

I see that in San Isidro and also parking. They block a lane as they fill their car with groceries while there are 100 parking spots available.

This is what I really don't get when they have designed the hypermarkets here. Why does at least one entrance/exit to the parking lot take you directly to the main entrance of the supermarket. Back home the entrance is the last thing you get to, exactly to keep it free of traffic.

 

[josh2203]

Also they will fit into the tightest spot if it is 10 feet closer to the door. No regard for the cars next to it. Always better to park far from the door and save the scratches on your car............

I hate crowded parking lots, we always park to the last corner, so when coming with the grocery load, we can pack the kids and the groceries in peace, they might even start with a snack right there, all the door and tailgate open, nobody around us messing about.

 

[josh2203]

Go earlier in the day and you'll probably avoid all of those headaches.

I go at 3 in the afternoon and it's pretty calm at that hour. Then again, no tourists in my part of the world.

Very true. Based on experience: Weekday mornings (in the first half of the week, not in the second half), Sunday either really early in the morning or early afternoon. NO Sunday late morning, we did that mistake once in Jumbo, hated every minute.

 

[chico bill]

I see that in San Isidro and also parking. They block a lane as they fill their car with groceries while there are 100 parking spots available.

Yes have you watched people blocking the parking lot waiting for someone to leave a space closest to the door.
God help them they could have taken one 30 feet away and been in the store already.

 

[chico bill]

Very true. Based on experience: Weekday mornings (in the first half of the week, not in the second half), Sunday either really early in the morning or early afternoon. NO Sunday late morning, we did that mistake once in Jumbo, hated every minute.

The church crowd letting out in late morning?

 

[chico bill]

I hate crowded parking lots, we always park to the last corner, so when coming with the grocery load, we can pack the kids and the groceries in peace, they might even start with a snack right there, all the door and tailgate open, nobody around us messing about.

And you get less door dings. I like parking far away with an empty space on either side

 

[johne]

The church crowd letting out in late morning?

YES. I walk from mass that finishes at 11:30 am. I pass National at 11:45. In addition to the overcrowding National lays out 5 lasagna size trays of lunch/dinner items. The line is 8 people long in front of the deli section.