T J's in an awesome store to shop in. However the other day I went there on a Sunday morning, and things didn't work out exactly the way I wanted, but it did give me a good laugh. Which with the way things are going these days with the Corona virus was much needed.
Before the pandemic I used to go to one location on Sundays. I know, I know, it's probably better to shop during the week because there are less people in the store, but you know how things are during the week. We're tired, and there is always traffic.
And when the cupboard is bare and we are in desperate need of toilet paper or some other item, sometimes it requires getting out early, and standing in line.
I really must applaud Trader Joe's for their customer support, and efforts to make shopping enjoyable and safer. One thing they have done, as some other stores have done as well, is to block out a special time from 9-10 a.m. specifically for seniors (Those 60 and over) while 10 a.m. and beyond are for the general public.
Because I am feeling healthy I have no problem waiting in line with my mask on. I waited with approximately 15 people at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.
When I got to the Trader Joe's location I usually go to, a tall man with greyish hair asked me. "Are they still doing the senior line?"
I wasn't sure, but I told him to go to the front and find out. Which is something he did.
Soon after he approached, I looked up and saw the man I had spoken to motioning me to come too. At first I wasn't sure he was talking to me so I looked behind me, and realized that he wasn't talking to someone else. I looked at him once more and again. he motioned me to come, but I said "no" on principal. But after the man entered the store I started laughing hard. Once again I was "Misaged." You may have heard of "Misgendered," but I think that being thought of too old or too young can be funny or at times hurtful. I suppose it depends how you look at things.
The problem is this isn't the first time this has happened. Maybe I need to start coloring my hair like they say on the TV commercials. I am "balding" and have greyish hair like Paulie from The Sopranos but come on I'm only 53 do I really look 60 or older?
In the past I might go to a bar, and am flattered if they ask for ID. However most of the time they just take one look and wave me forward.
Any way back to the story......A few minutes later, an employe of Trader Joe's started walking down the line.
I heard him say, "Is anyone a senior?" As soon as he approached me he added,"You can lie. I won't tell anyone."
I stubbornly stood my ground. He walked to the back of the line where he found a happy 60+ individual to shop. Then he came back to me.
Now I like to recycle, and hate putting things in the landfill, and we as a family are relatively-militant recyclers. Or at least try to be.
Seeing that I had several bottles the man asked me if I wanted to recycle them. I think I was the only one on line with bottles. He said that I should come to the front, and so I did, and fortunately there were no angry comments or stares.
The TJ employee took my bottles, and then I looked up at the woman in front and asked, "Can I come in?"
She took one look at me and without any hesitation said in a friendly manner, "Of course," and handed me a wipe for the cart.
Entering Trader Joe's with such a small number of people was like a dream. The employee who told me he was 60+ gave me my bottle money with a smile.
It was great. It was like a ghost town, but with everything in stock even soft toilet paper. Totally unlike my past experiences in the store unless I was shopping mid-week at 8 p.m. And there was basically no line at checkout. What a relief.
When I exited the store it was past 10 a.m. and the line was three times as long. I felt like a V.I.P. I definitely would go back, but I'm not sure if I would still do it again in the same manner.
Life Lesson 140: Sometimes being a senior has its privileges, and I don't mean just simply AARP discounts, and even if you aren't one being thought of as older isn't always a bad thing. Remember the times you tried to get into an 'R' rated film or a bar if you were underage?
Nevertheless, while they some people get better with time like a bottle of wine, there are others who are more like a bottle of Ripple.
I guess I have to get in shape to make it a more difficult for people to guess how old I am.
And to the staff Trader Joe's, thank you again for your help and kindness. Despite the Misagaging, your prices are excellent and are really senior friendly, but like it is with some older woman, remember it's never polite to ask your age.
This Covid crisis has been so stressful for all of us, but sometimes there are moments of levity that help us cope.
Today I braved the stores. I was determined to go to a local Italian supermarket to pick up products that I have not been able to get from Amazon, Walmart or Instacart.
Personally, I like all three, but when I buy things from Instacart they always seem to miss something that I need. I saw an article online about Instacart once said to a person "We don't have toilet paper, how about copy paper?" Personally, whatever I make only I want it is do it once.
Today I got some gas at Mobil and then headed east on Long Island towards my destination. It was about 8:30 this morning, when I realized I needed to use the bathroom. The problem is no place lets you in. Everything is takeout. Panera bread (drive thru), Starbucks pick up only.
Finally, I drove by Dunkin Donuts and thank God they were open and I was able to use their bathroom. Even if I did have to wear a mask to enter the store.
I was relieved literally and figuratively, and then Murphy's law kicked in. Just as I got in my car, I took off my mask and the string broke. Now, I don't know if this ever happened to you, but you really can't wear a mask with one string. I guess it's like trying to wear a bra with one strap. Doesn't really work too well.
The store I wanted to go to won't let you in unless you have a mask.
I had the latex gloves covered I just needed to solve the mask issue.
When I pulled in front of the Italian market It was a quarter to nine and I thought let's have my breakfast sandwich first and then I'll try to solve my problem.
I wolfed down my egg and cheese sandwich and then took a look at my mask. One string was broken. I started to look in my Jeep to see if I could find any duct tape. Nothing. I thought about using a stapler but there wasn't one. I tried post it notes, nope. Finally I found a large clip that you usually use with documents. After a few iterations, a found a position that worked. Although I felt like someone from Revenge of the Nerds but with a screwed up mask. but fortunately it worked.
I shopped at my store, spent a ton of money, but at least I got to pick out what I wanted, especially hard to get organic produce, and my family and I were able to eat well later.
After I lugged all the stuff to my car, I threw away my gloves and got into it to drive home. I put my hand in my coat pocket and what did I find? another mask in perfect shape, and I began to laugh.
Life Lesson 139: I've heard it been said in military special forces, "One is none and two is one." that you should always have backups for everything. Redundancies. I agree. Next time I go somewhere I will try to have at least two masks, and two gloves, etc. So I never get into a similar mess. T
This is not a knock on my job as a high school teacher. But I wonder when are we/ the kids going back? The mayor says April 20th, but who really know for sure?
I guess this is the new normal. My friend Bart told me that his daughter took a book out of the library a few months ago about the Spanish flu. She asked if it was happening again. He couldn't really answer. but in many ways she's right. Back then there were no vaccinations for this virus, and we are dealing with the same issues.
I just hope it's not going to be as bad. Surely our medical treatment is state of the art now at least in most places. But if there can be toilet paper shortages, there could also be glove shortages too. In Africa during the ebola outbreak some hospitals ran out of gloves. We also need to build more hospitals like they did in China.
What is the answer though? I keep imagining that I have come up with a solution, but I'll leave that to the professionals and just support my loved ones and my neighbors the best I can.
I worry though for the people who rely on day to day wages to survive: Waiters, busboys, dentists, etc. and will my city run out of money to pay the municipal workers. who really knows.
How long will this last??? I heard it may take one year for a vaccination to be tested. I hope we can wait that long.
There has to be a silver lining. Right? One positive is that I heard pollution levels are lower and that may help with global warming.
Also since restaurants are closing people may be doing more outdoor exercise, calling people instead of texting. and maybe since we are avoiding people maybe STD rates will decline?
Maybe we won't spend money on non-essentials. I don't know.
In some ways its like the turn of the century or maybe even Depression times. (I hope not) I hope this wont last. I am worried about my mother she's turning 87 soon and is coming back from Florida. Everything is shutting down there and people are leaving. Snowbirds coming home. She needs a safety net if you know what I mean.
I'll admit it. I've been hoarding toilet paper and water, but I wasn't always a hoarder. what is it about Covid 19 that's making people crazy? I guess it's the big what if? Sometimes I feel like we are living in the TV show The Walking Dead.
Recently we were down to three rolls. I went into every store I could: Trader Joe's. (Should be called Trader who knows?) my mother is coming back from Florida soon and I was running out of options. I found some tissues in CVS and thought that could be a good substitute in a pinch.
Then I googled toilet paper near me. A local store that sells office supplies said they had toilet paper in stock. I went over there and bought a scanner while I was there too to help with my job as a teacher. We are starting remote teaching soon, and I figured it could help me do my job better to create handouts for my students.
After I bought the scanner, I asked the manager if he had any TP coming in. He gave me his card and said call back after 12. I did so, and he told me he set aside 2 large rolls for me. It felt like I was doing a drug deal.
I was very appreciative and stuck out my hand to shake his. He was very surprised and remarked, "You shook my hand."
"Sorry" I said, "force of habit." and with that walked out of the store.
A happy ending in more way than one.
