Shopping Cart Outside A Car Door

--by jennieG, posted Dec 4, 2007

A few weeks ago, I went to my usual retail therapy session at the local Target store.

On my way to the front door, I noticed that there was a car parked by the front doors facing the wrong direction but with the passenger door open. A woman came out of the driver side and waited by the passenger door, and out came a frail little old lady walking very slowly and using the shopping cart as as walker.

As she got closer to the passenger door, the driver took her by the hand to help her in the car and then I noticed that she had this look of uneasiness looking at the cart as if thinking, "Oh great, now what do I do with this?" She had to put the lady in the car, drop off the cart in its place, go to the other side of her car, drive out the way so other cars can pass by -- all within a few short seconds.

So, just as she scrambled to get the old lady in the car, I approached them and smiled. Then took the shopping cart and said "How about I take this in for you?" She smiled back and seemed so relieved, and then thanked me heartily for the thoughtfulness.

Such a small gesture and yet look at the response. From then on, I decided to do that every time I go shopping -- find someone who is returning their cart and intercept it mid-way and smile. (And next time I will have my smile cards with me to hand out!)

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Posted by jennieG
Dec 4, 2007
Comments (19)

Readers Comments

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: What a nice thing to do to make a difference. Thanks for sharing!

speedi wrote: how sweet! what a wonderful thing to do..
Thank you for sharing

brighteyes wrote: wonderful..the small gestures reap huge dividends....good for you..good for others....and helping the store too.

Betty wrote: Imagine if everyone would give a smile with help however small... this universe would be heaven. Bravo, it is great thing you have done

lhatton wrote: Very nice!!!! I used to look for people who were just finished with their carts to take back to the store as I was heading in. For some reason I have not thought to do that for a while. Thanks for the reminder.

totemblaze wrote: The small gifts of generosity are always
the best.

rsalas21 wrote: I love this idea! Yes, it is a small gesture but people really appreciate it:)

evelyn wrote: Before I had a baby, I used to grouse about people leaving their shopping carts all over the parking lot. Now, I *look* for these abandoned carts so that I can park nearby - then I can load my kid up sooner instead of having to carry her to the store. So, keep that in mind - one person's left-behind cart might be another person's convenience...

lmil1954 wrote: I do the same thing, but thank for the idea to bring the Smile cards along*** Good one.

lOVEBUG wrote: A good habit to form. I seem to have developed the habit of rounding up stray carts and putting them in the rack, it makes it easier for the employees to have carts ready for the customers

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