Oh, Wal-Mart… how you annoy thee.

Went to Walmart today to get some things for work. Usually, the day is slightly less annoying than the evening. Today, not so much. So... here we go... Top 10 Things That Annoyed me at Walmart Today:

1. Orphaned shopping carts in the parking lot

2. Shopping carts returned to the corral in a haphazard manner rather than in two, nicely organized lines

3. People parking in places that aren’t parking spaces

4. People trying so very hard to find the closest possible parking spot on the warmest day of the year

5. Almost as many people using electric carts as those not (maybe they all need them, I don’t know, but I doubt it)

6. One person blocking one side of the isle, another one blocking the other while eating an apple pie. I stand there for two minutes and give her a dirty look. She states she needs something where the other person is. And, apparently, doesn’t know how to walk backwards.

7. “Walmart People” (Oh, you know.)

8. Walmart employee answering a question using the fewest possible words and without making eye contact or moving in any way (although the second person I asked happily walked me to the item—my hat off to you)

9. Not enough checkers. Too many self-serve lanes.

10. “Please place your item inside the bagging area. Please place your item inside the bagging area. Please wait for assistance.” The item is in the stupid* bagging area, you stupid* machine! You want me to throw it in again? How ‘bout I purchase a hammer and place it in the bagging area after I finish beating your stupid* speaker into oblivion? Not so demanding now, are you?

*Not the words I wanted to use.

Rules for Crazy Corner

Since I have to go through Arlington & Mississippi (AKA Crazy Corner) at least twice a day, I have created a list of rules that, if followed, would make the journey a little less frustrating. I have had my fair-share of near misses there, and one that was not so much a near-miss.

1. PAY ATTENTION! Go when it's your turn.
2. If you miss your turn, YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK. Do not just try to go the next available time. It screws everything up. Wait until it's your turn again.
3. Cell phones are not allowed at Crazy Corner. I will come out of my truck and remove it from your hand. Harshly.
   
4. If the person next to you goes, you might as well too.
5. If you're turning right from Mississippi to Arlington, you don't have to yield. Stopping will get you hit. Exception: If a semi is turning into the adjacent lane, maybe you stop a little because they will run your butt over.
   
6. If you're in the right lane of Arlington going east, you have to turn right. Do not attempt to go straight. You will get ran over multiple times, most likely by those following rule 5.
   
7. Don't stop on the tracks. You will get ran over by a TRAIN!
8. If you're on Arlington going west and want to turn right onto Mississippi, use the off-ramp. Don't go up to the intersection and turn right. It confuses people and it's a weird turn anyway.
9. Watch for the one-way signs. I've seen a few people turn down the wrong way and that just isn't a good thing.
10. If you are wanting to collect money, hand out literature or dress up as the Statue of Liberty and/or Uncle Sam for advertising purposes, STAY AWAY FROM CRAZY CORNER. The absolute last thing that intersection needs are more distractions.

Thank you for your cooperation.

The lost art of saying "thank you."

Okay, a little rant here. I'm a big stickler for the whole being polite thing. Lots of "please" and "thank you's" from me. That's just how I was raised. I'm beginning to see an unfortunate trend of that going away, especially in businesses. If I buy something from you, no matter if it's a Mountain Dew or a new truck, I want to hear you say "thank you," and try to mean it too.

I'm going to tell the person who waited on me thank you too, even if I don't hear it first. You helped me, so you're getting a thank you. Here are some acceptable responses to my thank you, in order of my preference.

1. Thank you too!
2. You're welcome
3. Have a good day

Here are some unacceptable responses, one of which inspired this rant.

1. Yeah.
2. Mmm Hmm
3. Uhh huh
4. No response whatsoever

Okay, I'm done now. If your in the business of helping people, please take this to heart. Oh, and thanks.

Dang you Braum's!!

Okay, so I just left Braums drive through and- yet again- I have a
less than full drink. Major pet-peeve! As much as they cost I expect
a FULL drink! Hmmmm... these blogs are going to have to get more
interesting.