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.
