Been to your neighborhood King Kullen, Waldbaum’s, Shop Rite, or Stop and Shop lately? Things have changed greatly since the days of “one cashier does all.” Supermarkets have now surpassed bridge tolls in complicating one’s daily lifestyle (EZ-Pass lanes versus cash lanes, depending on which ones are actually open). Yes, your favorite supermarket now likely provides a blend of specific cashier lines, including “not more than 10 items,” “not more than 15 items,” and “at least 20 but no more than 75 items.” Oh, did I leave out “self-service,” “cash only,” “credit card only,” and “mothers with 2 or more children.” There is even a specific line now for you environmentally prone individuals who bring with them on each visit to the supermarket a personal reusable shopping bag.
Since I am an infrequent supermarket shopper, the lines with signs can be intimidating. On a few occasions, I have been castigated by a fellow shopper for having 11 items in a 10-line only lane. Of course my naivety led me to believe that 2 attached bags of potato chips were considered to be 1 item. (I quickly learned otherwise.) Of course, you also have to be very careful not to accuse another shopper who you know has more than 15 items in a 15 item-only line, since that shopper may likely respond with “what’s it to you.”
Even though it may be more costly, I find a sense of comfort shopping at a Dairy Barn (of which there are few around). I don’t have to read many intimidating signs, the number of items I purchase are basically concealed from other drivers’ view, and the DB person provides me with a bag. Unlike many of the supermarkets with express lanes, speed is not a major factor for me shopping at DB.
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What is a concern for me moving forward is the distinct possibility that the “line-a-mania” in vogue at Long Island supermarkets may become part of usual business at such places as banks and restaurants. Perhaps we may see “checks only” lines in banks or even “deposits no more than 100 dollars.” And you can certainly envision a restaurant line where prospective diners are classified into “plan to order dessert” and “not even thinking about dessert.”
Let’s just hope all of this line classification doesn’t spread to public bathrooms. Even at this point in my life I may qualify for “number 1 only” as well as for “number 2 only.”
