Trials & Tribulations of a twentysomething

by S. Livingstone _ Was left home alone by my family last I week to house sit while they went off on an unnecessary getaway. I was well prepared to enjoy my sudden independence and freedom or at least I thought I was. I decided that I would take this newly discovered sover- cignty to the limits and pretend as though I had the responsibility of someone older thantwenty. The first thing I felt T should do was 20 grocery shopping, not that the cupboards were not well stocked before my family’s departure (they lack faith in my survival skills), but I felt that grocery shopping is something that adults do

and so must I.

I must confess that I have never actually gone on a grocery shopping expedition on my own, unless getting milk at a corner store counts 4s experience. The first thing I had to do was to decide which supermarket I should give my business to. For a small city there are an overwhelming number of supermarkets to the Unseasoned consumer. After a great deal of thought I settled on that convenient 24 hour ¢stablishment very near our campus. I chose this one because of its popularity among stu- dents of this university. I am making this ‘sumption purely on the speculation that all ‘hose derelict carts near Blanchard Hall were nce transportation for travelling groceries from his store,

I did not bother with a grocery list. I just ade a mental list of the things I needed and Toceeded on my trek to obtain groceries. When arrived at the supermarket I hastily decided hat I did not require a shopping cart as I was nly there to purchase fifteen items or less. As

ugh as I began to question the necessity of a 8° awkward cart for a few items that fit _ “tely into a basket or an eco-friendly shop- "e bag, and as I walked around searching for * items on my list I noticed other men awe ck by the variety of goods the store had to “t and they too were cartless. I discussed this "e with one of my female friends and she "ns she gets a cart for the smallest amounts *roceries and she too sees men struggling to

hold onto nine or ten items. Maybe its a gender thing.

When I could hold no more in my arms without catastrophe making an unwanted ap- pearance I made an attempt to make my way to the checkouts. This journey became the most challenging component in my entire visit, and reaffirmed my belief that carts are nothing more than hindering obstacles with broken wheels. At certain times I was trapped between four or five carts in what seemed to be gridlock but upon more careful observation was simply a senior shoppers’ forum on sale items. Luckily I had brought along some coupons with which I bargained my way out of this cart corral.

The cashier, I believe her name was Penny, was very friendly and seemingly understanding of my post shopping anxiety. She quickly moved all my purchases through the scanner and I was offand running, abetter person formy experience. Upon reaching the car though, I realized I had forgotten two essential items. Fearing my demise if I was to enter that super- market again I moved on to another store to makemy remaining purchases. This time proved much more successful however as I was now a veteran of the grocery shopping war and I felt ready to tackle any situation a supermarket might bring. I may even use a cart the next time.

Campus Comment

What do you predict for the New Year?

“Tam not very good at predicting things. I hope

1993 will be a great year for the students at UPEI.”’

Satadal Dasgupta

Soc/Anth Dept.

“*More people are going to stop communicating and the spin off is less understanding.’”

Deanna Keen

4th year Sociology

Satadal Dasgupta