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| Sunday, January 29, 2006 |
| An unexpected dose of Granny Guilt |
 I shopped at a Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store today. Yes, I parked behind the shop (not because I was ashamed to be seen there, but because the line of elderly waiting for the few handicapped spots to free up was clogging up the front of the lot) and walked around the little shopping mall to make my way inside. This is a teeny tiny store and it was PACKED! I guess I should have paid more attention to the bright yellow 20% off banner on the front of the shop. It seemed that every octogenarian driving along that route had seen it and was now inside the store.
 Well, after viewing some of the deals this place had to offer I may have to start following the gray haired set since these folks obviously know how to find a deal. The store had loaves of cinnamon swirl bread for $1 and packages of Mint Milano Cookies for $1.89. I also picked up two cakes (2 for $4) and a packages of snack sticks. Usually I purchase the sesame snack sticks at my local grocery store. The outlet only had pumpernickle or three cheese. In fact that was the most disappointing part of the shopping experience, the missing items.
Once I finished dodging walkers and canes (you think I am kidding, but sadly I am not) and finally shuffled my way to the cashier my total rang up to $8.35. The cashier then pointed out what the big yellow sign said - spend $10 and get 20% off your total. Well, at that point I just really wanted to get out of the small store and away from the mob so I said "Thank you, but really this is all I need". Well, a shopper behind me overheard this exchange and obviously could not let me make such a mistake. "Dear, you are already spending eight dollars. If you spend ten dollars you will save two dollars, meaning the additional items will be free to you." Now, here was my problem. This sweet little bespectacled, orthopedic shoed granny had just called me out on some simple math. I could respect that she was just trying to help. But the thing was, I already felt like I had too much food in my hands. I really did not need two cakes (lets face it I did not even NEED one) but at least I could freeze these. I just did not want to fight my way back through the geriatric crowd to find two more dollars worth of items. So I just said "Thank you for pointing that out, but really, this is all I need." and paid for my purchases and got out of there.
The granny guilt I now feel has a bit to do with understanding that all those folks are at that store because they are on fixed incomes and need to shop there. Unlike me who is just doing a bit of recreational bargain food shopping.Labels: Boston Bargains |
| posted by Boston Gal @ 12:55 AM *
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| 4 Comments: |
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Actually, it might not be true that they *need* to shop there. I could very easily see my grandmother, who has more money than she knows what to do with, swinging her big Buick into the parking lot at the sight of the 20% sign. Folks of that generation simply know the value of a bargain and act accordingly. You and I and the rest of the PF blogger set are a bit anachronistic.
Sure, there are older folks on fixed incomes. But there are people our age on very tight incomes, too--notice their absense at the store. (And why America is in such sad shape savings-wise.)
All of this is a very long-winded attempt on my part to ease your guilt, because you shouldn't be feeling it. :)
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ah! you could have shared your cookies with friends/family/coworkers. okay, not trying to add to your guilt :)
I agree with smb. shopping trips with my grandparents always included a reference to growing up during the Depression and why it's important for us (kids) to be wise with our hard earned dollar.
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Could you have offered to "buy" $2 worth of items for the person behind you in line?
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I guess I could have, but honestly it did not occur to me to offer. If it had I still probably would not have since it may have offended her. New Englander's don't generally take kindly to perceived handouts. The ol' Yankee independance can be fierce.
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Actually, it might not be true that they *need* to shop there. I could very easily see my grandmother, who has more money than she knows what to do with, swinging her big Buick into the parking lot at the sight of the 20% sign. Folks of that generation simply know the value of a bargain and act accordingly. You and I and the rest of the PF blogger set are a bit anachronistic.
Sure, there are older folks on fixed incomes. But there are people our age on very tight incomes, too--notice their absense at the store. (And why America is in such sad shape savings-wise.)
All of this is a very long-winded attempt on my part to ease your guilt, because you shouldn't be feeling it. :)