Costco on a Saturday

Scott turns 41 on Tuesday so we decided to go get him his "birthday present" (it's not the only one...) today. We headed across the river (no sales tax) to the Portland Costco. Now, the very first thing we know about Costco on a Saturday is that it will be a madhouse. I know going in to a store like Costco (for those of you who don't have a Costco this is like Sam's Club) on a Saturday or Sunday I will a) expect lots of people, b) expect to wait in lines, c) expect to be extra patient because it's a Saturday at Costco.

I wish other people would get the message...it's COSTCO ON A SATURDAY!!!!

After picking out Scott's iPod we proceed down the main drag to the freezer cases where I'm going to be getting our organic milk. As we're heading down there from the printer ink aisle this lady beside me thinks it's a double turn lane and then expects me to back out of her way when it's not a double turn lane going to one...it's a corner where the person on the left yields to the person turning on to the highway from the turn lane because there is only one turn lane. I looked at her and went, "oh, excuse me...." Her daughter says to her, "Mom...." in that way only a teenage daughter who is embarrased by her Mom's actions can be.

Continuing down the main drag we come upon a traffic jam. There are two lanes...one going toward us, one going with us...the one we're all in. As I approach the crowd I slow down to a stop waiting for the people ahead of us who think it's okay to stop in the middle of the road to look at the items across the road on the other side instead of turning onto a side street for others to pass them. I'm not upset by it...it is what it is and I and those ahead of me are all waiting patiently because we know...IT'S COSTCO ON A SATURDAY. The lady who is now behind me (the same one with the daughter written about above) decides she should not have to wait and she gets about 1/4 of the way to my side when she realizes we're all stopped because there's no way around it. I looked again at her with a grin on my face and said, "we're all going to the same place...just being patient." Her daughter then really said, "mom, would you stop it please?" (exasperation written all over her voice) (What is wrong with this picture...Mom insists the world revolves around her and daughter realizes this is COSTCO ON A SATURDAY? One point ~ TEENAGER!!!) When I turned into my side street of refrigerated goodies she zoomed ahead all of the 4 feet taken up by me and my cart so she could hurry up and stop because it's...what? Oh! COSTCO ON A SATURDAY!!

Jump ahead...people swarming around the chicken sausage sample table (YUM! and they're gluten free!!) and I turn and smack right into this gal. We laughed and I apologized and said something about Costco on a Saturday and we both had a good chuckle about it. Sweet lady understood...this is Costco on a Saturday.

After we complete our check out process the boys and I head to the end of the ridiculously long food line and Scott takes the stuff out to the car. After we're all settled at a table I go back up to continue waiting for Caleb's cheese pizza (because it's not that busy on a Saturday at the Costco food court so why should they put a new cheese pizza in when they see they're down to the last 3 pieces? (yes, that's a vent)) I join the other 10 people waiting for their pizzas and when the lady at the window asks for the next patron's ticket this guy from the back of the crowd steps forward and jumps ahead of all of us who were waiting....

Forgive me, Father in Heaven, my smart-alecky side came out and I couldn't stop my tongue from saying, "oh, I'm sorry, the world does revolve around you so why don't you go first?" The people around me agreed with me in their laughter and groans, but when he turned to leave...and make his way through the crowd he couldn't even say, "excuse me." So, again before I could stop myself I said, "Son, two words...excuse me." (he looked to be all of 19.)

I realize I had become one of those people who expected something other than what it is because it's a COSTCO ON A SATURDAY, but what happened to manners? What happened to waiting your turn and letting others go first? While the boys and I were in line to order I realized I didn't know exactly what we all wanted because Scott wasn't back yet so I let the lady behind me go so I didn't hold up the line.... I know many people would have done the same thing, and I'm not super-holy because I did, but seriously? What has happened to thinking of others first? REALLY?

Thanks for letting me rant...I'm stepping away now. I have a feeling I'll be convicted of my own actions as we head to church.......

Ciao!