Shopping Cart "Etiquette"

I have written posts about library etiquette, parking lot etiquette and manners in general, but I feel that a post about shopping cart "etiquette" is something that also needs to be discussed! Hold on tight, I'm hopping on top of the old soapbox. First of all, if you take a shopping cart out of the store and into the parking lot, please return the cart to either the store or to the cart "corral." When you leave the cart in the parking lot, it creates havoc for others trying to park their cars in the lot, especially on a windy day, when the carts start having a mind of their own! If that is not possible, then please try and put it somewhere out of the way. Second, if carts are at a premium, please don't take one that has a stroller attached. There are lots of moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, etc. that bring children with them when they shop and they should get top priority for those type of carts. Third, when you are shopping, especially in a grocery store, please put your cart either to the right or the left of the aisle. Please don't leave the cart in the middle, it makes it difficult for people to get around you. Fourth, if you are coming out of an aisle, please slow down just a little, to make sure there isn't someone coming from the right or to the left. About a week ago, when I was at the grocery store, I assumed that a man was going to stop when he hit the end of the aisle, WRONG!! He kept right on going and almost crashed into my cart as I was passing by. Lastly, if you see an empty cart, look around first and make sure that someone isn't using it! Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox now.

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