Adventures of the Grocery Store

It's amazing to me that different adventures I find myself in at the grocery store here. All my life, the grocery store was just simply a place to get food. There was nothing special about it, and aside from spending time with whomever was going, or getting food myself, it definitely wasn't the place I preferred to spend any time. In college, I hated going shopping, although it got a little more interesting if I sang along to the music, or if the Vegetable boy rode by on a cart serenading me and my roommates as we entered, meeting us later to tell us a few veggie jokes. But when I moved to Vegas, all things changed.

The grocery stores here are not your usual type of store. As soon as you walk in, you can hear the clinking and dinging of the slot machines. People do a little shopping and then check their cart in with the host as they go in to drop a few quarters and pull the handle a few times. They do this, I can only assume, to see if they can actually pay their grocery bill. Maybe it's to see if they can win a few extra dollars to get the name brand of paper towels as opposed to the store bought brand. It's hard to tell, but it's definitely an option that presents itself.

The best part and the most exciting adventures have been the different types of men that are frequenting the grocery store by myself. For the most part, you simply just see your usual guy/girl combo, a single guy or two, the husband on the phone sent to get the items forgotten on the previous trip, and a few other unique types. But, because it's Vegas, rest assured I've seen Elvis. He is alive. He is fabulously tall. He is getting a box of Mini-Wheats and some 1% milk. Trust me, I was as shocked as you are right now. But of course, I laughed and went on my merry way. Tonight however, I had a great experience to add to the list.

As I was shopping for a few last minute items and discretely singing along with the music playing overhead, I heard a man whistling obnoxiously. There weren't that many people there, and so his overzealous whistle could be heard several aisles over. As I approached the cottage cheese, he walked up with his rotisserie chicken in hand and said hello. I politely said hello back. He was about my dad's age and looked very nice. He then stopped and said "Do you know where the potato salad is?" I thought to myself, do I look like I work here? But, unlike other times I shop, I was not wearing an outfit similar to the uniform required. So I answered, "try the deli, that's where I would look." Then I smiled and and turned the corner. Without thinking, I headed down the aisle and came out on the other side near the deli. There was Mr. Rotisserie. He had found the potato salad, and looked up at me as I came out of the aisle. I dodged to the next aisle, and he suddenly approached me with his chicken and sides. He inquired "Would you like to share this with me for dinner. There is plenty. " I honestly laughed out loud and said no thank you. He persisted "Are you sure... " I just giggled again and walked away. At this point I'm thinking, what about my three day old, greasy pulled back hair, no make-up, and non matching outfit attracted this older man. I'm still not sure, but I can tell you that I could hear his energetic whistling for a while and I got on the phone with Martha just to cover myself and share the experience with someone. Luckily I wasted enough time to where he was gone when I went to cash out.

I may have to switch to a new grocery store if I feel like every time I go I'm going to run into Elvis or Mr. Rotisserie. Who knew grocery shopping could be such an adventure? Wanna go shopping?