I was at Canadian Tire the other day, browsing, in there for no particular reason, looking but not buying. It’s a guy thing. Anyway, the department of procurement sends me a text message, “milk, bread”. No emoji hearts or sentimental sentiments, This just happens to be a secret code we share so I knew right away what she meant. She wanted me to pick up bread and milk. No problem, I am not unfamiliar with the grocery store near our place, having gone there on numerous occasions for emergency supplies.
But in the mall I am at there’s a grocery store at the other end of the parking lot, so it made sense to me to pop in there for the staples that aren’t at Staples, or Canadian Tire for that matter. I park and notice the lady next to me is unloading groceries from her cart. Now I don’t know about you but I do look for opportunities to do a good turn that doesn’t inconvenience me, take any of my precious time, or cost me money. That’s just the kind of guy I am. So I thought I could take that cart back to the store for her. Save her a trip. Mr. Nice Guy.
But she seemed reluctant, I assumed she didn’t want to put me out. I insisted, telling her it would help me out as well, not wanting her to feel beholding. She finally handed me the cart and muttered a subdued thanks.
It seemed like an odd interaction to me, and when I put the cart back in the rack a looney popped out. Have you been to these grocery stores where you need to put a buck in a slot as a down payment on a cart, and if you decide to return the cart you get your money back?
Oops, now I have the lady’s cart down payment in my hand and of course she’s already left, probably high tailing it out of there, quite concerned about the loon (that would be me) that accosted her for her looney.
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It seems my good turn took a wrong turn. Moral of the story, I will keep trying to do good deeds, but not at No Frills.
0 Comments