Seeing parents grocery shop with their kids is very amusing. Watching them try to juggle shopping for food and chasing little ones down the aisles is a highlight itself in the mundane world of grocery clerks. Kids yelling and screaming, throwing tantrums when their parents refuse to buy them sweets, knocking items off the shelves, etc. Wouldn’t things be easier if there was a babysitter at your local grocery store?
I see a black chubby kid about 4 or 5 years old walking up and down, opening and closing the freezer doors. He’s been doing this for the last 10-15 minutes…
Me: Hey what’s your name buddy?
He looks at me and smiles.
Cute and Chubby: Chauncey.
Me: Chauncey, is anyone here with you?
He doesn’t say anything.
Me: Is your mommy or daddy here?
Ignoring me, he’s opening and closing the freezer door as I’m trying to talk to him. I announce on the intercom…
INTERCOM: WOULD THE PARENTS OF CHAUNCEY, PLEASE COME TO AISLE 10!
I’m watching Chauncey opening and closing the freezer doors as I wait for someone to come get him. No one does.
Me: Hey buddy, do you want stickers and balloons?
He stops. Looks at me and nods. I make another announcement…
INTERCOM: WOULD THE PARENTS OF CHAUNCEY, PLEASE COME TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE!
No one comes. Chauncey is touching anything and everything he gets his hands on in the customer service office. He finds amusement by pushing the rolling chair back and forth and in the process knocks over stacks of paper to the ground. As I’m picking up the papers, he lets go of his balloon. He watches the balloon as it heads for the ceiling. Looking at me, he points at it as if he’s expecting me to get it down for him. I call for someone again…
INTERCOM: WOULD THE PARENTS OF CHAUNCEY, PLEASE COME TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE!
No one comes. I’m a bit irritated but what am I supposed to do? I make him another balloon and buy him a Hersey’s Crunch bar to keep him occupied. I’m going to make one more announcement before I call the police…
INTERCOM: WOULD THE PARENTS OF CHAUNCEY, PLEASE COME TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE!
Finally someone comes!
Shouldn’t Have Kids: Thank you for taking care of my son, while I shop.
Me: Excuse me?
Shouldn’t Have Kids: He’s a handful when I bring him along and…
I cut her off. “So you heard the announcements?” I asked bewilderingly.
Shouldn’t Have Kids: Hey, my boy isn’t supposed to have sweets!
*Sigh*
Has your kids done anything to embarrass you in the store?
