Okay, so today I went to a couple stores to get a few last minute Christmas items. That two hours just reinforced the reasoning behind doing all my shopping online. What is WITH people? Have they lost their minds, their marbles, their common courtesy? I do believe they have!
Driving around the parking lot trying to find a parking space…I watched as the driver in front of me hurried through the crosswalk and buzzed right by two elderly ladies walking slowly across the walkway…in the freezing rain I might add. Gripping one another tightly so that they did not fall and break a hip or something. Watching that same driver, he then proceeded to NOT give the go head for a man in an electric wheel chair to also cross in front of him. I mean COME ON! Is it so important for people to get in or out of the store…that they would toss their good will towards men aside? Ughhh! Makes me ill.
Then as I’m coming up the aisle, there’s a car backing out of the over crowded lot. Before this woman could get out of the space….a driver in the opposite direction from me scurries like a little rat AROUND the woman backing out (almost hitting her)….to quickly claim that space. (I believe that driver thought I was gonna steal the spot or something). Lady driver and I just looked at each other and shook our heads. Each understanding that a space isn’t that important.
I’m telling you…in a season that is supposed to be filled with love and good will, there’s sure a lot of mean, nasty, hurried people out there that fail miserably to take advantage of the seconds given to them… to just be nice and kind to someone. I mean, for God’s sake, it just takes a split second to be nice! I wonder why those people just don’t stay home.
I paid for my things and used my 30% off coupon. I only saved a few bucks. The cashier gave me coupon back and said to hold onto it because I could use it anytime in the couple days. “Can I give it to someone else?”, I asked. “Why would you want to do that? You can use it again”, she replied. “But…can I give it away?”, I asked. “Well, yes. If you want“.
I looked around and saw a lady in the next checkout lane with a cart stuffed with lots of stuff! I walked over to her….”Would you like to use this?” She looked at the 30% off coupon and her eyes lit up. I thought she was going to cry. “Yes, thank you SO much!” I bet you she saved at least $50. Then…I felt better. I walked out of the store, holding the door for those running in from the rain….picked up a mitten a little girl dropped….plunked a handful of change into the red kettle…used Purell….(lol)…turned up the Christmas carols on the radio and rocked out on my way home. Hopefully I offset some cheer stolen by certain Grinch’s today.
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
~Mark Twain
Oh, and I might add, I had a good day even with a big honkin, festering ZIT on my chin. One of those that deserves it’s own name AND it’s own treat from Starbucks….you know the kind. The ones where people look at IT when talking to YOU. The kind that you contemplate putting a hat and scarf ..on cuz it’s so cold out? Yup. And we I still managed to share a smile.
Anyhow….I just think people should learn to ‘deal’ a little bit better. Life is short. How are you spreading cheer this season? I’d love to hear some good cheery stories!
I'm Sheila. In addition to raising 1 husband and 3 teens, I've founded 
I try and be nice all of the time but some people do go wild and crazy.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Rudolph Treats… =-.
I agree that it’s a little depressing how cranky people get in parking lots. It’s not always easy to keep your cool when surrounded by idiots. I just keep trying!
.-= Alissa Collins´s last blog ..ICMT Mondays! More tomorrow! =-.
You know at this time of the year I try to just keep smiling. I try to let people ahead of me in lines to pay, I look for older people, the ones that remind me of my parents and I try to be even kinder to them…………because their son or daughter might also live 1000 miles away and not going home for Christmas.
I think what you did was very sweet………it made me smile, and get a little tear in my eye.
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Early Christmas Gift =-.
I love your ungrinchy ways. You are what we all should be, and I like to think that I’m very much like you. In fact, let’s go shopping together!
.-= blueviolet´s last blog ..The Crap =-.
Good for you! Those drivers just need a good smack in the head!
I was nice enough to have a sweet woman pass along a coupon to me last week-saved me quite a bit of money. I’m definitely trying to return the kindness to others too!
.-= Staci A´s last blog ..Munchkin Math Review & Contest =-.
good job not giving in the holiday hum bugs…i bet you made a few people’s day…
.-= brian miller´s last blog ..greater gifts =-.
People are so afraid to walk an extra 50 feet that they will ruin their cars to get a better parking spot. I hate the savage way that people shop. It is really very much a turn off.
.-= Otin´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts (With a twisted Christmas Song) =-.
Okay, today is last minute? Lady, we are on a completely different schedule. Last minute for me is Dec 24.
I was noticing some of that un-holiday spirit today myself. The places I went shopping weren’t even all that crowded. It’s disheartening.
.-= Cara´s last blog ..Complications =-.
This is why I am SO done with shopping already!
I’m with Cara – I’ll be buying things on December 24th for sure. Good for you bringing a little Christmas cheer to the humbugs out there
.-= Breeder´s last blog ..Smooth Talker =-.
I’ve been avoiding stores and especially the Mall for this very reason. The parking lots alone are enough to give me a panic attack.
Nice job with “re-gifting” the coupon. I’m sure it made her day!
.-= Aliceson´s last blog ..Holiday Honest Scrap =-.
Good for you! What a bunch of grinches! I haven’t been out much lately because the kids are sick and shopping with three 7 and under is a chore. But, we do make cookies and bread for our neighbors & mailman, and the kids make ornaments & trinkets to share. I think it’s a good lesson for them to show appreciation for the people in our lives.
.-= Serendipity is Sweet´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – In Memory of Bryson Ross =-.
sheila Reply:
December 16th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I SO agree!
I agree with you. People get so cranky and impatient during the Christmas season. But out here in Sacramento they are like that all year long. I can’t stand it.
I did most of my Christmas shopping online this year. It is a lot easier, although I am having problems with my Amazon.com order. They keep rejecting my payment. I have three days to get it taken care of or my order will be canceled. Merry Christmas!
.-= Cascia @ Healthy Moms´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday | Christmas Lights =-.
That drives me crazy too, when people drive around to get the closest parking spot. It’s quicker to me to park as far away as possible and then walk, and I don’t have to crowd my car in the parking lot. I put some coins in the red bucket yesterday too. My daughters Girl scout troop is collecting some paper goods for the local soup kitchen. That’s a few ways we are helping out.
Great for giving that coupon away!
Have a great cheery day!
Yikes! Doesn’t sound like a fun shopping trip. I need to go to toys r us today :S Guess it beats the mall.
LOL @ your zit!
You are so kind. It is small acts of kindness like those that really go a long way. I’m sure you made that person’s day. I know that would put a huge smile on my face
.-= Momisodes´s last blog ..The daze before Christmas =-.
I worked retail for years and the holiday season was always my least favorite time because of the things you said above. All those nasty people come in and are even more nasty to the people working. I always smiled and tried to be extra polite to try offset the bad. I’m just glad I no longer work retail and this year we made almost all of our gifts. The few things I did buy I bought online. Merry Christmas and happy WW!
.-= Julia @ Easy Eco To Go´s last blog ..Handmade For The Holidays – Wordless Wednesday =-.
what is with the holiday that brings out all that negative nastiness in people. but, you are so kind. this is what holiday is all about. : )
.-= savvygal´s last blog ..Upate A Room with Stylish Lamps =-.
I know, it’s very disappointing. The last couple of times I’ve physically gone shopping, I end up tense and frustrated because people are inconsiderate. God forbid my three year old is walking at a slow pace around the corner of an aisle, there will be someone in a cart ready to run him down. So much for goodwill. I try to stay sane by online shopping…and eating cookies. Hope that zit clears up before it develops its own orbit.
That was just so sweet!!! I’ve tried smiling at all those other drivers circling the parking lots looking for spaces with me. Why not smile? We’re all in this together right? Oh and I love it when someone with a full cart lets me and my two or three items go in front so I’ve been doing it too.
.-= Marie´s last blog ..The Beauty of Our Backyard =-.
I agree. The people out there are just crazy. I took my kids to a shopping center to get their gifts for my husband yesterday. (All of my shopping was finished earlier because I don’t like the crowds!) The parking lot was awful. People were driving around like they were crazy or something. I just think the real meaning of Christmas gets lost in all of the hustle and bustle.
.-= aimee´s last blog ..Thursday Tirade =-.