I started shopping at a rather small grocery store last year. I had heard about it from many friends, but really was just too accustomed to shopping at the same stores to try until last year.
It is the type of grocery store that does not carry a lot of national name brand items. It is the type of grocery store that requires parting with a quarter to get a grocery cart.
The first time I placed my quarter in the slot to release a cart, I am sure that I actually rolled my eyes.
What? Are we at the airport or something?
I have done this every week for more than a year.
I have to say, I find what goes on during the "quarter exchange" very fascinating.
It is a quarter. It is 25 cents. I would guess that many of these people are paying $3-$5 for a cup of coffee at their favorite chain store and yet, the quarter really makes a difference.
Oh, you are rolling your eyes?
Go sit in the parking lot of this store.
There are no carts in the parking lot. There are no carts bumping into cars or rolling away unattended.
People really want their quarter back. Without fail, they return the carts to retrieve their quarter.
Watch the interactions near the cart.
You will see people offer their cart to another, and the receiving party will hand the first person a quarter.
It's a quarter!
I have watched people help strangers load their groceries into their car, give them a quarter, and take the cart inside the store for their shopping.
One time, I was in a hurry and forgot to make sure I had a quarter. I was digging through the dark recesses of my purse and getting more frustrated.
My daughter pointed at a cart. "Look mom, someone left their quarter!" The relief I felt was very real and it was worth much more than a quarter.
We used that cart, returned it, and left the quarter for someone else.
We used that cart, returned it, and left the quarter for someone else.
It's just a quarter.
Last week, my grandfather wanted to get a few things at this particular grocery store. He dutifully had his quarter ready. When we were done, we loaded the groceries into the trunk and another person pulled up beside our parking space.
My grandfather offered him the cart freely. The other gentleman handed my grandfather a quarter and shook his hand.
It is not just a quarter.
I have also witnessed an elderly gentleman struggling with returning a cart. He could not get the locking mechanism to release his quarter. I handed my daughter a quarter to offer to him. We could simply take that cart and go on.
His reaction was comical. He refused my daughter's quarter. He wanted HIS quarter back. He was very intent and serious and he continued to push and pull at the mechanism.
I smiled. His was indeed a special quarter and I will never know why.
I live in a busy city with busy people. I am always fascinated with anything that distracts people enough to force interaction between strangers.
This quarter idea is genius!
Across the street is a large super grocery store.
There are carts everywhere. Carts rolling away through the parking lot. Carts crashing into cars. There are cart parking areas scattered throughout the parking lot, and yet still so many cannot be bothered to stow them safely.
At the store across the street, there is no interaction between people getting and returning carts.
I like this quarter idea.
I will admit that I take a bit of extra time gathering my reusable grocery bags from my trunk just so that I can watch the interaction at the carts.
It fascinates me. Somehow, this lowly quarter, this coin which can no longer purchase an item on its own has been given a tremendous super power.
And, for just a quarter, I have been entertained once each week for more than a year, just watching people interact.
It's not just a quarter. Many weeks, I think of my day of frustration and leave my quarter behind. Hmmm.. I can bring that much relief to someone? Why not?
It's not just a quarter. This quarter system has changed everything and I like it.
Just in case you are feeling generous.....
...or want to support this blog...
You know, this quarter symbolizes something different to different people. To the old man he wanted his speific piece of money back, probably because he could remember when it was actually worth more then it is today. To me it means that a small business can continue to be somethine meaningful to the community.
ReplyDeleteWhere I live is a small town, about 1600 people, more if you count the cows. The closest grocery stores are about 20 miles away and while they are great for the large haul of purchases when you want something for dinner and not driving 20 miles there is a small grocery store in my town. Actually it could be considered an oversized convience store because the prices are high. I look at it this way, I know those who work at the store, the prices are a little high but comparable to the amount/price of gas that you would spend going to the store 20 miles away.
So, sometimes a quarter means so much more then just a shopping cart. Darn, I remember when a stamp was a quarter or less.......