Occasionally I have a shopping trip that is nirvanic. It can feel like an escape from the real world where all you have to do is focus on food. But most of the time, it feels like a real burden.

First, there’s the fact that the grocery stores around here are small, which would be fine except that it’s the aisles that are small and so many people tend to park their carts in ways that prevent anyone from passing them. I’m okay with brief distraction, but occasionally, someone seems to park and then examine entire shelves of products, comparing ingredients and prices while the rest of us wait.

Second, there’s the general layout of the store that seems to defy logic. Why are juices three aisles over from sodas? Why are pickles and olives not with other canned and jarred items? Currently, the store I shop at is remodelling, so the layout is even more confusing.

But by far the most frustrating thing about grocery shopping is that I have to bag my own groceries. Seriously, this was the biggest shock to me when I moved here. I’ve lived in two different locations in two parts of the country where they bagged for you (not including my hometown where they also bag for you) and when I went to the grocery store for the first time after we moved here, I was flabbergasted by the fact that I had to bag my own groceries. I am not good at this and there’s pressure from the other people in line to bag quickly. I’m not as efficient as a truly good bagger so I use more bags or I squish something important.

Actually, back when I was kid, I remember that not only did our store bag, but we also drove the car up to the door and they loaded for us. I don’t mean to sound like a snob, but I miss this kind of service and I’d be willing to pay for it.

What are your shopping experiences?