Crumpled Notebook

So, I went to the new Safeway tonight with Alisha. Safeway itself isn’t new, but it just moved to a new and bigger building, just up the street. I hadn’t been until tonight because I hear it’s been super busy and because I never really shop at Safeway. People tell me it’s cheaper, and maybe they are, but after spending a bit of time in there tonight, I’m fairly convinced I won’t be returning by my own choice.

The thing I really dislike about Safeway (and vocalized to Alisha loudly during our entire time in there in hopes someone would care) is that everywhere you walk in there, there is like a kiosk of something. Like the islands that have fruit and veggies on them, except all over the store, especially filling the front. You literally need a map to maneuver through the front of the store. People selling coffee, giving food samples, bridges of soda to walk under, flowers, candy, etc…you name it and they have a little island for it. And many of them have people who bug you when you walk by, asking if you want something. It’s like being at the carnival. Anyway, I just like clutter-free stores where I can go in, get what I need and not have to talk to anyone unless I need assistance. Safeway also doesn’t have self-checkout. I don’t mind going through a person’s line and having to smile and say hello, but like I said, if I can get in and out of the store without ever having to talk to anyone or look at anyone, I would be perfectly happy.

I know what you are thinking? We should like talking to people. We live in a country that has lost the art of talking and socializing because everything is automated and self-check out, and emails and IM and text messaging. Yeah, I know, it’s healthy to want to be around people and talk to them, but frankly, I kinda like the world I live in. I could go almost an entire weekend sans church without talking to a soul (other than my cat), and I’d be perfectly happy with that. Does that mean I’m lonley or that I don’t like people? Not at all (well, okay, the latter one is questionable). I know I should “want” to socialize and talk to random people, but really, I don’t. I’ve gotten pretty used to my own world and I like it.

So, everyone else can keep their island, kiosk building, soda bridge, sample lady, checkers stores and I’ll stick to my clutter-free, quiet, self-check-out, don’t look at or talk to anyone stores. Not talking to people makes my life a little simpler. Especially people I don’t know.