The Joys of Shopping at Publix

At Publix they like to make sure that someone always asks you if you would like assistance taking your groceries out to the car. Their slogan after all is, "Where shopping is a pleasure." I often decline this, as I find it awkward. Do you say anything to the person assisting you? If you do decide to say something, what do you talk about? However, tonight I decided that, yes, I would like some help out to my car. This was for a few reasons. 1. I bought quite a lot of groceries, more than what I could just carry out of the store with me (which probably isn't really quite a lot, but it is by my standards). 2. It was getting dark, and I've heard some scary stories about young woman alone in parking lots in Miami... scary 3. There are not any cart returns in any parking lots at any Publix stores, so inevitably you must either leave the cart in the parking lot propped up next to the tree (which most people do) or return the car to the store, which I aspire to do every time. Tonight, however, I knew I was feeling too lazy, so I asked for the help.

Just as I was contemplating what small talk strategy I was going to employ with the grocery store employee, he spoke first. He asked me how many cats I have. Now, at first I was caught off guard. How does this guy know that I have any cats? That made me paranoid. Did I have a few stray cat hairs on my sweater, again?! I always carry a lint roller with me every where I go, but sometimes those cat hairs can be stubborn. I was paranoid that I looked like a slob with cat fur all over my clothes. But, then, I realized. I bought cat litter at the grocery store.