I’m not sure if you’ve seen this graphic (below) or not. I first saw it on Facebook, read it – twice – and thought: “Wow, there’s so much truth in this.” It’s so often the little things in life that determine the kind of person you really are. How we perform certain tasks, if at all, says a lot about how we may or may not treat people or perform other tasks. Or just approach life in general. Little hidden meanings surround all the little things we do.
I don’t necessarily agree with that second to the last paragraph, but I didn’t know how to change the graphic. (Thanks Jennette for pointing out the harshness of that sentence.) Anyway . . .
How we approach the challenges of every day life is something we usually don’t even think about, we just typically react. Somewhere along the line, we’ve learned those responses even though we may not have been aware that we were learning anything. I believe most kids learn things by example. How their parents do and say things determines how they will do and say things. Or, sometimes it’s the polar opposite reactions if those children grew up in a toxic environment and they have vowed to not make the same mistakes their parents made. Either way, children learn from the actions and reactions of their parents or responsible adults who raised them.
I think it’s always a good idea to put your best foot forward even in the little things that a lot of folks would just take for granted. Even if nobody sees you do them, do the right things. Just make it a habit. Do it every single time, so it becomes automatic, and you don’t even have to think about it. When you’re finished unloading your shopping cart, return the cart to the store or the cart corral. It shouldn’t be something we even think about NOT doing. It should be automatic to just do it.
What do you think? Do you think there’s any truth in this “lesson?” Do you approach like with integrity no matter who’s watching? What are some other things we should all be doing simply because it’s the right thing to do? Like holding open the door for someone. That’s just common courtesy. Saying please and thank you, common courtesy.
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Word of the Day: Howdah
Fun fact about me: I always return my shopping cart and I sometimes pick-up abandoned carts along the way. I guess if the innkeeping thing doesn’t work out I’ve got a career lined up as a cart wrangler at the supermarket.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2022. Images by Google
jansenschmidt 
I return the cart probably 90% of the time. (Not sure why I don’t the other 10%.) While I agree with the overall sentiment, I think the last 2 paragraphs of the infographic are a little harsh! 🙂
Something I notice is how someone treats people that some might consider “beneath” them. Me? If someone is bringing me food/drink, keeping my office clean, etc., I’m super grateful and make sure I thank them (and tip well)! The fact they are being paid doesn’t matter – they deserve as much respect as I do. Someone who acts like they’re better than the server is someone I don’t want to hang around with. Yet plenty of people do, sadly, act this way. I’m sure you see all kinds at the Inn!
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Yes – I agree with you about the last part as well. I just didn’t know how to change the graphic. And, you’re right, plenty of people these days feel like they deserve more than others for whatever reason. When I encounter these folks at the inn, I often wonder if they are the people who don’t return the shopping carts.
I also believe that tipping should be done for people who go the extra mile. Food servers need to get tipped and I believe that system is screwed up. They should get a fair and decent wage, like all other paid employees and then earn tips based on their service. Maybe I’m wrong in thinking that but their salaries should not be based on the assumption that people are going to tip, because a lot of people these days don’t tip. In fact, a lot of restaurants automatically add a tip in nowadays. Last time I was at Disney World, I noticed the tips were added into the final balance but then were was a place to add an additional tip if you wished. In some ways, that’s tricking the customers, but I get why they do it. I guess the lesson is to pay attention.
Anyway, I still choose to believe that most folks are good whether they return their shopping cart every single time or not. (I have left my cart parked next to a bunch of other carts that were randomly left in a parking lot (not in the cart corral) as well. Sometimes it’s just easier, especially if it’s raining.) No judgment here.
I hope you had a lovely Easter. Have a great week.
Patricia
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I’m definitely in the put-the-cart-back camp. It’s so annoying to have to move a shopping cart that someone was either too lazy or too self-important to leave out after using it. I feel it’s a “my time is more important than yours” sort of thing. I try to be respectful of everyone and everything as much as possible and even though I know we’re not all the same, I believe if we all practiced respect, the world would be a much better place.
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Amen sister. I think most folks leave the cart out of sheer laziness. I think their mentality is that it’s someone’s job to go out and collect the carts, so they just leave them anywhere because someone’s going to come by and get it. And, they’re right, someone will.
Anyway, thanks for joining the conversation. Have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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I’ve had my moments but don’t think of myself as an animal. LOL! In my defense, one of Marshall’s parking lots doesn’t have a cart collector. I’m a good person. REALLY!!
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I hear you Susie and I know you’re a good person. I think there might truly be legitimate reasons why some people don’t return the cart. It’s really the principle of the thing that spoke to me. If you’re elderly or disabled in some way perhaps returning the cart is too far of a walk. Or if you have to strap small children in the car, you wouldn’t want to leave them alone while you run a marathon to return the cart. My argument is to at least leave your abandoned cart out of someone else’s way. And, of course, return it if you’re able. Don’t be lazy.
Thanks for stopping by today. I imagine you’re getting some good spring skiing in these last few days.
Patricia
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Good guess! I just posted “something.”
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I almost always take my cart to the corral but may have slipped up once or twice. Then there was the time I took one home, just in case my wife leaves me and I end up homeless.
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It’s good to be prepared Al. Now I know who to call if I ever need a shopping cart and am not brave enough to steal one.
Thanks for stopping by. Here’s to the cart returners – may we live long and prosper!
Patricia
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Yes, and may our wheels never jam.
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