Next Time I’ll Send a Smoke Signal
Joelle said at some point on February 7, 2008
Let’s say you’re in Target or Hallmark or somewhere where they sell greeting cards. Is it just me or if there’s at least one other person around, will they inevitably step right in front of the cards you’re perusing? This happens to me almost every time I shop for greeting cards, which is fairly regularly. I love to send cards. I’m not as diligent about it as Kathy is… usually I buy them and they sit on my desk. But I’m thinking of you, I swear.
Anyway, when I browse greeting cards, I do the socially respectful thing and stand back a bit from the cards, so that anyone else nearby can also view the same cards. One of my pet peeves is when people stand right up on top of the cards, like just a few inches away. Then you’re forced to do that half-circle dance around them like a terrier waiting for bacon, making little sighs and hums to alert the clearly oblivious person that you’re there. Sort of like “Hey, douche, move!”, but you know… nicer…
Is it SO hard to stand back? Stand back, people! There are other people in this world besides you. See one you like? Step in, grab it, step back, read and buy it or put it back, but get the hell out of the way!
I was in Target a couple months ago buying a birthday card for Reilly and there was a couple huddled around the children’s birthday cards. They would open about every 3rd card, starting at the top, mumble to each other, giggle and put it back. They were clearly enjoying themselves and I didn’t want to be a bitch, so I hoped that they would notice as I did the Bacon Terrier Dance, but they didn’t. Not even when I said “excuse me” and reached for one of the cards did they back up. They were inches from the cards to the point that I couldn’t even see them, so I gave up and left.
About 15 minutes later, I came back and they were still there. They were on the bottom tier now, but instead of crouching down to look at them, they still blocked the entire display. I’ve never seen two people so fascinated with children’s birthday cards in my life. I speculated that maybe they were newly pregnant and a bit overzealous, so I tried to cut them some slack. I just wanted the damn card with the dinosaur on it so I said, “I’m sorry, can you please back up so I can see the cards, too?” and the man turned to me without missing a beat and said, “Do you know how to get to the Wild Animal Park from here?”
OK?
So, I told him and they promptly turned and left. Just like that. It was like they scheduled it. “OK, hon. It’s Saturday. We’ve got a full day! Thirty-five minutes of children’s birthday card reading and then it’s off to the Wild Animal Park!”
People are so odd.
Moxie Design Studios™
from Pasadena, CA
I *just* had this happen to me on Monday night at Target. Not only did the lady stand there blocking half of the Valentine’s Day section, but she had her cart butted up against the aisle sideways, too… GRR!!! I stood there next to her with my arms crossed and she knew I was there waiting, and I swear, took an extra amount of time. Does making other people wait around make certain losers feel more important? I don’t get it. Rude!
Haha. That is all.
You should have given them completely wrong directions. That’ll learn ‘em.
Cocktail: Amaretto Stone Sour
Maybe that’s how they get someones attention so they can ask for directions? You know, instead of just asking. Like normal people would.
from Louisville, OH • Cocktail: White Russian
And the best part? When you ask them to move, politely, and they look at you as though YOU’RE the asshole.
Maybe they were under the impression that if they opened the *exact* right card the directions and perhaps a talking animal would pop out?
from West Palm Beach, FL • Cocktail: Champagne Bellini
I’m not as good as I once was. Now that Reilly is two, spending time looking for a card is like zero so IF I get to the card aisle I can’t actually READ the card. So if you get a Happy 16th Birthday to my Sister card on Valentine’s Day… that was the best I could do.
If I do get a spare moment to read a few I am totally a card aisle hog. I fully admit it. You’ll wait until I’m done and like it, whore. :D
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@Kathy: you’re a card aisle hog!? god, it’s like I don’t even know you.
@sophie: haha!
@ThePooper: Yes, they usually do, don’t they?
@Atomic Bombshell: Yeah, I hate when they not only hog the area you’re trying to see, but they spread their cart and crap out so you can’t get around them either. Good times!
I swear it is something about our culture! You think stores are bad?! Try museums! Oh my goddess there are those that step back from paintings to get a clear view, let others see and there are those that block the whole thing. It can ruin an experience. Perhaps it comes down to different curacies and personal space ideals. I don’t like people blocking me in/out either and it took me a few days during my first trip through Europe to realize how much American’s love their space. Crowds are really common.
anyways....don’t mean to rant - too much
from Raleigh
I wish I could have saved you the trouble. Do you know you can send real printed greeting cards from your computer. You can also do it in your own handwriting.
This is a unique service and you don’t waste time picking out a card, fighting the crowds. You do it from your computer. We print it, stamp it and ship it.
You can also add pictures and word ballons and have fun doing it.
It’s really cool and time saving.
www.SendingCardsDaily.com