Thursday, April 2, 2020

Back Off

I'm not officially doing the A to Z Challenge, but if I can write to the letter of the day, why not?

So far, I seem to continue to be healthy...



...And because needs must, I headed out to the grocery store last Monday.

Although, it became more than the grocery store. I got the roommates' lists (might as well only have one making the trip), and headed out.

It's kind of eerie Outside. There are still people about, but not many. And I kinda felt like I was taking my life into my hands. The news is scary.

The stores are still pretty much out of toilet paper and Lysol. I looked. But food is out there.

Lately, I've been shopping at a store called Grocery Outlet. Because I knew they wouldn't have one of the things on roommate's list, I first went into Dollar Tree, which was in the same strip mall.

Shortly after I walked in, clueless guy walked in. As I was doing my shopping, I made sure to keep distance between me and the others in the store. But clueless guy came way too close.

Clueless guy was 50-ish, wearing a polo shirt. When he walked down the aisle I was on, I backed up. I avoided the next aisle when he was on it. And then the next aisle he approached way too close again.

He wasn't talking to me. I mean, we acknowledged each other, but other than that we were doing our own things.

I got to the checkout first. Someone was there, so I stood a ways off. Then clueless guy got right behind me. Sigh.

But I was done. I felt like I accomplished something. Then I headed over to Grocery Outlet to finish up my trip.

Guess who entered the store shortly after me? Sigh.

And because I don't have a good photo to accompany today's post, here's a picture of roommate's dog, Buttercup...

26 comments:

  1. Yikes. This reminds me of a neighbor's suggestion I invite his wife with me on walks. She's a registered nurse at a local hospital. :0 Buttercup is adorable. Stay safe!

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  2. Most of our shops in the UK are being very strict about social distancing. People have to queue up outside more than 6ft apart and they only allow four or five people in at a time. Stay safe. Stay strong. PS. I love Buttercup! xx

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    1. They did that at the store I went to on Tuesday. These stores weren't busy enough to need that, though.

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  3. Even in "normal" days I don't like people coming too close. You know, the private space around us. Cute dog!

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  4. Butter cup is adorable! Some people have no concept about social distancing! We have some stores here with specific guidelines and people are still too close to each other. Even dots on the floor to tell people where to stand for checking out aren't being observed.

    Betty

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  5. Gosh, that's enough to drive up anyone's anxiety. The store didn't have markers for people to stand? I'm seeing them everywhere I go now. Stay safe out there, and stay informed without the sensationalist media. :)

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    1. They did have markers. Alas, he was not paying attention to them.

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  6. I wonder if clueless guy is one of those who believes it's all overhyped. Or maybe he's just one of those creeps who stands way too close to women.

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  7. Buttercup does look like wonderful little puppy dog. Going out sure has changed.
    Coffee is on

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  8. Most of the people out were giving everyone plenty of space. They made less of an interesting story, though.

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  9. First, let me just say that Buttercup is beautiful. Then let me say I'm sorry that clueless guy turned up on your shopping trip. We have our groceries delivered now because I'm at high risk with my lung condition, but it's not the same. I used to consider grocery shopping a chore. Not any more. I'd love to go to the store and just wander the aisles.

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    1. I've always loved grocery shopping (go figure!). Glad you are having yours delivered, though.

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  10. AW.....what an adorable Buttercup! I know what you mean, I try to keep my distance and I don't do rows where there are a lot of people. But there are some that just don't seem to get it and like you said, CLUELESS. ...

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    1. Do they think they're impervious? It's a learning curve, though.

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  11. I didn't know you shared your home with a dog. Buttercup is gorgeous.

    I wonder if the people hoarding toilet paper are actually using it, or if they are now still trying to buy "normal" supplies and saving their toilet paper for some special event? Surely it has to come back in supply soon?

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  12. We have tiny little shops here in Vietnam, so standing 6 feet away isn't always even possible. However, EVERYONE is wearing a mask. (cloth, not the disposable ones that will become landfill and a problem for a later day.)

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    1. But how well to cloth masks work? Can viruses get through? I wonder how much protection they actually offer. (Better than nothing, though.)

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  13. It's people like that Clueless Guy who are wreaking havoc all over the world. Such people, unfortunately are there all over the world, and we can see that!

    Here in India, the government has been strict about implementing the social distancing. So much so that the cops have been asked to be very firm with people who are out on the road for no good reason. Most people are cooperating with these strict regulations too.

    Everyone who is in essential services have been provided identity cards to prove their credentials.

    After one full week, I went out to the nearby provision store this morning. Pretty much deserted streets. There is no shortage of essential food items.

    The stores don't allow more than very few people inside. We have to wait outside in a queue leaving 2 meters apart. And they don't let us in without a mask or some cloth covering the nose and mouth.

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  14. Some people really just don't get it. And we wonder why the virus is still spreading. I don't like to think about how many people one clueless person can infect.

    I had no idea you lived with a dog. Buttercup is super cute!

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    1. As Buttercup isn't my dog, I don't really talk about her. I'll let her know you said so.

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  15. I haven't stepped foot into a store since around March 14th. I've done pickup since then, and sanitize everything. Crazy times!

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  16. I now tell anyone to please stand 6ft back and have no issues saying it. Now, my hubby does the shopping because, even though he has rheumatoid arthritis and is on an infusion, he heals very quickly. I on the other take forever to heal and I have a sunken chest( not that anyone would know..hehee) but I have a 1/3rd less the lung capacity so, I am staying in.

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  17. I like it when stores mark off 6 feet spaces in lines. Easier then to tell someone to back off to his mark.

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