differences that you will never get used to (Huntsville, Auburn: wedding, buying)

[tammie2]

What are some things that are different from where you are from that you don't think you will ever get used to?

The biggest one for me is the bagger at Publix that wants to(read INSISTS on) taking my groceries to the car.

It is a knock down drag out with the shopping cart sometimes

I feel I am not limited in any way and I don't need anyone to carry my groceries, especially not the 70+ year old man that works the day shift here in HC.

So what is it for you?

[Huntsvegas29]

LOL that's just Publix customer service policy..It would be the same at any Publix either here or in GA or FL. My first job at 16 was as a Publix bagger. Up until very recently Publix wouldn't emplace shopping cart holding areas in their parking lots. I think a lot of it was that they didn't want shopping carts all over the place in the parking lots and they wanted to avoid any complaints/liability that typically comes from dented car doors from wayward shopping carts.

I remember many an awkward exchange between customers I knew that didn't want me to take their groceries out to their car and myself. I would never force the issue and let the customer do what they wanted only to be reprimanded by the management for not following the strict customer first model...frustrating when you were just doing what the customer wanted!!

Now that I live in an area with a Publix again I find myself doing the same thing with the bagger in a reversed role. I often notice the same "please sir don't get me in trouble with my boss face" that I probibly showed 16 years ago. I'll usually drop the issue and let the poor kid take my bags out...no matter how awkward it may be, or how dirty my car is!!!

[Geography Freak]

Tammie, when a man does something for you it's not because he thinks you're handicapped or limited in any way. Most likely they don't want to sleep with you either. It's called being a gentleman. Get used to it and learn to take it gracefully.

[tammie2]

Originally Posted by Geography Freak

Tammie, when a man does something for you it's not because he thinks you're handicapped or limited in any way. Most likely they don't want to sleep with you either. It's called being a gentleman. Get used to it and learn to take it gracefully.

I appreciate the insight, however, this has nothing to do with attempted gender roles, but rather a store policy.

On the flip side, after living in the south for so long, you get used to certain things. This summer I was in Chicago at Macy's buying pots and pans for my cousin's wedding...and she couldn't want one pot or the lightweight version, so here I am with a 50 lb awkward box that blocked my sight, up the escalator, all the way at the other end of the store. I passed a half dozen men, not one offered help. I was appalled. On my way out the door a woman held the door for me and asked if I needed help. The store associate(a man) stated that they were too heavy to carry. Uggggh

So don't think I am a crazy woman's lib-er, I think woman's lib helped ruin things in our nation and I a firm believer in most gender roles.

[Guntersville Boomer]

I really like it when someone wants to take my groceries to the car, most of the time they only offer when I am shopping alone and have bought several bags full of groceries. I am soon to be living full time in Guntersville and that Publix at Hampton Cove will be my regular store so I'll have to see if I get it there too. There is a Fresh Market in Orlando, Fl. I go to from time to time and there is a bagger in there that is just like this, will not let me take my groceries to the car under any circumstances, I actually get a kick out of how eager he is to do it, he is like 16 or 17 so I usually give him a $1.00 tip which may be a motivator!

[gsp4ever]

Before this thread totally deteriorates into some political and/or cultural debate here are a couple of things about life in Huntsville vs. life where I used to live that have definitely been an adjustment:

1. All types of locally owned restaurants (from casual cafes to fancy restaurants). Huntsville just doesn't seem to support those types of establishments. The chains seem to be most of what can "make it" restaurantwise for the long term.

2. The Auburn and Alabama football thing. I've met so many people here who are very obnoxious about football (particularly Alabama fans--it's very obvious that so many of them never attended college, much less graduated from the Univ. of Alabama) that it has completely ruined any enjoyment I might have ever felt about the game. The news media is obsessed with it all year long, too.

3. Since I moved from a smaller city in a more isolated area (if you will) I do enjoy having neighbors, friends and co-workers who have lived all over the US and even the world. They bring a different perspective on life and I do appreciate that for a city the size of Huntsville. Of course, most of these folks are NOT involved with state and local political and economic development issues so a lot of big picture decisions made around here are crafted by "local yocal" and "good ol' boy" types and, quite frankly, don't make a lot of sense. It's a weird combination, actually.

[Mawoods]

Hey I am a southerner by birth and I am shocked by the AL/AUB thing here in Alabama. I think that hate/rivalry is much more than in other southern states with in state schools. Now when we lived in Wisconsin, there was only 1 school that mattered to the residents - UW-Madison. they were right up there with ALABAMA fan loyalty. Nothing and I mean nothing mattered more than UW MAD winning.

[Sunnydee]

Originally Posted by tammie2

What are some things that are different from where you are from that you don't think you will ever get used to?

The biggest one for me is the bagger at Publix that wants to(read INSISTS on) taking my groceries to the car.

It is a knock down drag out with the shopping cart sometimes

I feel I am not limited in any way and I don't need anyone to carry my groceries, especially not the 70+ year old man that works the day shift here in HC.

So what is it for you?

Please remember that Publix likes their employees to do this and that 70+ year old man needs to feel useful. Just smile an let the little old guy do his job - it might be the high point of his day.

[rnc76]

1. Everything except national chains are closed on Sunday. I find it funny that the local restaurants close on Sunday and after church is one of the busiest times. Try going to Cracker Barrel, Ruby Tuesdays or Jason's Deli at noon on Sunday. Maybe if the local places stayed open on Sunday they'd last a little longer.

2. The assumption that if you seem like a nice person, you must be a conservative Christian.

3. Humidity...last summer was not bad but most of the time July and August are terrible for me.

4. Lack of good, healthy food options at restaurants. I've found a few places but most of the really good local foods are incredibly bad for you.

They are all pretty minor things though IMO.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Geography Freak

Tammie, when a man does something for you it's not because he thinks you're handicapped or limited in any way. Most likely they don't want to sleep with you either. It's called being a gentleman. Get used to it and learn to take it gracefully.

Just a slight edit..

Tammie, if a man does something for you, it's because he wants to sleep with you.