Our Observations: Shopping Cart Etiquette- It's not difficult!!

 We both try to be considerate of people while shopping, but notice too often that some other are not and it makes us crazy. Shopping cart corrals for example, are not that difficult to understand, yet some don't, while other lazy asses leave their shopping carts in parking spaces. Today's blog is about shopping cart Etiquette because, well, all we've been doing otherwise is snowblowing and shoveling after snowstorms. 

(Photo of our local supermarket cart corral, where someone jammed a cart in between the 2 designated rows for cart returns). 

First, what is the key principle of Etiquette-: At its core,Etiquette is built on respect, kindness, and empathy, aiming to make others feel comfortable. It involves being aware of surroundings and considering others first.

(In this corral, the person who actually brought the cart over couldn't push it one more foot to line it up with the other carts already there). 

Second, the basics of a Shopping Cart Parking Lot Corral: Generally these rectangular pens are built from steel poles in a rectangular shape and are JUST WIDE ENOUGH for 2 shopping carts side by side. Not 2 with one crammed in the middle. 

Third, if you are conscientious enough to bring the cart to the corral, PUSH IT IN as the carts fit inside each other and form a train. Don't be lazy and just leave it on the fringe of the corral. 

(Photo: Don't be like this lazy ass who left a cart in a parking space)

Fourth, if you don't bring the cart to the corral, you are simply a self-absorbed, selfish, lazy ass who  expects everyone else to pick up after you. Obviously, it means you failed kindergarden where you were supposed to be taught to put things away and play well with others. 

Fifth, There are No excuses and you have alternatives. If you have a child, put them in their child seat, lock the door for 1 minute and return the cart. If you're old or lame and can't walk without a cart to hold you up, ask someone walking by if they could take your cart. 

Sixth, Be a Helper! If you park in a lot and see a loose shopping cart or see someone finishing with it ask them if you can take it for them. Or if see one in a corral, take it into the store. Even if you don't need it, you can put it away properly.

Why You SHOULD Return Shopping Carts to Parking Lot Corrals

Leaving carts all over damages cars.

One thing that drives us crazy is that lazy people leave shopping carts in the parking lots on curbs, in  spaces or on sidewalks, and don't put them back. Scientific American did a study asking people why they do that, and then interviewed store employees.
  You may be surprised to learn there are NO designated "Parking lot shopping carts attendants," so by leaving a cart in the wrong place, you are NOT helping to employ someone. In fact, you're making people who do other jobs go outside to pick up after your lazy self.
So, put the carts in the parking lot corrals or bring them back to the store. You're making someone else miserable to pick up after you.
NOTE: If you're handicapped, ask a person in the store to come outside and help you and they can return the cart. 

It doesn't take much to put a cart in a corral.

 Here's the study:

SUPERMARKET AND STORE EMPLOYEE RESPONSES:

• There is not a specific job to go get carts. The people who went out to get carts were usually the baggers, stockers, or cashiers so they had plenty to do besides go out in the heat/rain/snow to get carts strewn all over the parking lot. At the very least people could put them in the cart return instead of leaving them in parking spaces or in the grass.
• At least at the grocery store I worked at, no one was designated 'cart getter'. Typically it was a cashier who wasn't needed because the store preferred to have too many cashiers available as opposed to too few. And if the cashiers were to busy and the carts needed to get brought in immediately, then one of the floor people got the carts. But that typically only happened on big grocery shopping days, like before Thanksgiving or Christmas. Unfortunately, you aren't providing anyone with job security.
• Always return the cart! I spent many years in my youth working at grocery stores, so I know what a hard job doing a "cart run" can be! My routine now: park near a receptacle, especially in bad weather. Take a cart or two inside with me. Use one. When done, it goes back into the receptacle, or if I'm parked close to the door, I put it inside (or if my teens are with me. They can handle a walk!) Not hard, and can make a staff member's day a *little* easier. And not ding cars!