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irisblue

(34,155 posts)
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:17 PM Dec 2017

Asking for help @ the grocery store.

Because I shop alone 99.5% of the time, I have learned to ask for help from the cart corral people, asking them to "Please can you get a power cart for me?" I have learned to ask a random stranger, "Would you please help me, and grab me that grocery cart, it's easier to move then my walker?" I have also on 2 occasions called the service desk & asked for assistance.
I did not like asking for help for a long-time. As my arthritis as gotten worse over the last few years, I have learned that people are willing to give me a hand, if I ask for it. Still it is not a simple thing to do.
And I do try to make sure I say thank you twice.
Arthritis & joint disease suck big time.

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Irish_Dem

(56,020 posts)
1. I don't mind at all when people ask for help at the grocery store. Happy to do it.
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:22 PM
Dec 2017

I'm short and have to ask people to get items that are shelved too high for me to reach.

FailureToCommunicate

(14,312 posts)
5. As a tall-ish person, I never mind being asked to snag some high up item, so,
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:48 PM
Dec 2017

please don't hesitate to ask.

Now, there WAS that time I offered to snap a group photo with the tourist's camera, then suddenly EVERYONE in the group wanted it taken also with each of their cameras...

Irish_Dem

(56,020 posts)
8. I hate to bother people and ask for help. I just jump and try to get the item.
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:51 PM
Dec 2017

Then when all fails I ask for help.

LOL on the camera requests.
Yes that kind of thing happens.

Now that I am retired, I have more time and don't mind.
In fact it makes my day.

Skittles

(158,428 posts)
11. heh
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:57 PM
Dec 2017

I do that.....you know how it is, you see the grocery store folk often but when you need one they're just not there....so I will watch for the nearest tall person (very often these days it is a woman)....they don't seem to mind, they act like they do it frequently

Irish_Dem

(56,020 posts)
12. Yep that is the drill. I cannot believe how tall young people are today.
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 06:10 PM
Dec 2017

And large shoe sizes.... I can no longer find small size shoes.
Have to order them on line.

Glorfindel

(9,911 posts)
3. Please, don't think of it as "asking for help"
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:37 PM
Dec 2017

Think of it as giving other people the opportunity to do something nice for someone. Then you'll both benefit from the experience.

CTyankee

(64,881 posts)
4. I have arthritis and try to take more food shopping trips that take less time rather than
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:39 PM
Dec 2017

one or two huge shopping trips. I try to limit my time in the store to under one half hour. It is almost impossible unless I have a VERY limited number of items to get. And then the store starts putting items I have always bought in different aisles! I searched and searched for 7-Up for my husband in the soft drinks aisle and finally had to find a store employee to find it....it was in the "holiday" aisle! How was I going to know that?

My husband is too disabled from spinal surgery to do any shopping at all. I could have groceries delivered but that's an extra fee and money is tight these days. So I try to space it out so I don't get to the point of having my back give out when I finally arrive home...

northoftheborder

(7,606 posts)
7. Our store has started Curb pick-up which is very handy.
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:49 PM
Dec 2017

You order online ahead of time, then park in a designated area, text that you are there, and your groceries are brought out!! Only 3% fee! Grocery shopping is very tiring for me, and being short, too many things are on the top shelf! However, I've found fellow taller shoppers delighted to help reach things, when asked cheerfully and politely! Online ordering I find to work great, although I do like to choose produce in person. I hope I never have to use those carts; you still have to stand up to get mosts things off the shelf, and grocery aisles are often stacked with stuff in the center, making it hard to maneuver around them.

Skittles

(158,428 posts)
10. I often get help to get stuff from the top shelf
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 05:55 PM
Dec 2017

and I have no problem helping others when needed

it's just plain kindness

irisblue

(34,155 posts)
14. 😘😘😘😘
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 06:52 PM
Dec 2017

I will say, the number of young men who jump to to help me when I try to use my cane to pull something down off a shelf is surprising to me. I feel less invisible. #PatentsDoingPatentingRight shows.

Doreen

(11,686 posts)
15. When I take my mother to Walmart I sit in the front on a bench waiting for
Thu Dec 7, 2017, 11:03 PM
Dec 2017

her ( she rarely needs or wants help ) but when I see people waiting for the electric carts I go find ones that have been abandoned and take them to the people needing them.

I have a friend who is blind and people are horrible to blind people. They either walk away fast or you can hear them argue about who has to help the blind lady. They also ignore her and talk to me as if I know all of her business. They also yell and talk slow like she is deaf and stupid.

I have found when I go places with her that I need to look away or walk away while she is getting the help we managed to wrangle down.

My blind friend is a genius ( literally ) and it is frustrating when some people just assume she is mentally handicapped.

For me when I need help I usually find a tall person and ask and I have never had anyone say no and was perfectly happy to help. I have actually had people come up and just help me without asking ( to damn obvious I am short. )

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