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| Fae shopping cart |
We're going to approach this one with a few scenarios in mind:
The cart captain is with her cart and oblivious to your existence
This scenario affords more than one possible solution. If it is a matter of needing to move past the cart to further your aisle journey, you may either take a circuitous route, provided there is some sort of center display you can maneuver around, or you may simply, sweetly say something along the lines of, "Hi there! Do you mind if I sneak past you? Thanks so much." That works for me every time.
If the person is mindlessly perusing the shelves to the point of appearing frozen in indecision, and you need the thing right in front of their chest, you may want to muster your warmest smile and say something like, "Excuse me, do you mind if I grab something real quick? Thank you!"*flash sincere smile*. This approach has enjoyed a perfect track record as well.
The cart possessor is with his cart and engaged in conversation, either on his cell phone or in person with another customer or store employee
The most cowardly approach ... the one I advocate ... is to try to catch the eye of the person the cart-bearer is talking to. If you act inept and helpless, looking around fruitlessly for a method of egress, this other party will take pity on you and tell the cart driver what's up. If the cart driver is whooping it up on the phone, just say, "Excuse me" as often and increasingly loudly as you need to in order to get the phoner's attention. This individual has already broken a rule of social etiquette by being on the phone in a public place, so you needn't worry about treading lightly in this case.
The cart owner is nowhere to be found ... and has perhaps spontaneously combusted
If you see a small green glob on the floor or traces of soot, then the person has probably indeed gone poof, and you should feel free to move his former cart to the side of the aisle, for the benefit of all.
If you suspect the cart driver has simply stepped away from the vehicle for a moment, then you may want to slowly and respectfully take the liberty of 'nudging' the cart just far enough so that you may get by. I advocate a gentle approach, because chances are if you cast the other cart aside too enthusiastically, the other party will come around the corner at that precise moment and become immediately miffed at your perceived slight, though you've literally done nothing wrong. But if she rounds the corner to find you treating her cart as if it were a newborn babe and heir to the throne, she will most likely apologize profusely. This sort of good will can be a wonderful investment in retail relations, should you 'bump into' that person again in the future.
Perhaps the best piece of shopping cart advice I can give is to suggest you do your best not to be the person whose cart is in the way. Be mindful of others and your surroundings, avoid talking on the phone while shopping (your family can text you their requests if need be) and find ways to enjoy your fellow man. Happy shopping!
~Joy
your manners maven
