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Monday, November 14, 2005
I'm Dreaming of an Appropriate Christmas

Nothing is more of a turn-off than the local frou-frou shopping centers putting up giant Christmas trees on a hot November 1st.

I know this isn't the most original topic, but I have to say it anyway. Every year, the money-hungry stores put out their Christmas merchandise earlier. And, every year, I remove more names from my gift list. Always mutually, and with much relief. I'm not the only one sick of being manipulated into believing that Christmas = being guilted into spending money. Give me a break. I want to spend time with my friends, not run around town blowing money on my credit cards and worrying that the unnecessary things I've picked out will appease the Commercial Xmas Gods.

Back when I was a housewife, I got a thrill out of starting my gift-shopping early. I started in October, partially because it was fun and partially because it spread the debt a little thinner. And I made a lot of gifts, too. Now? There's no secret pleasure. You're expected to be planning purchases four months of the year. It's your duty as an American. Support the failing economy by buying plastic-snowman-emblazoned bullshit for everyone you know, or the terrorists have already won.

One fun thing some friends and I started last year, though, was a white elephant exchange party. We all brought food to Jorge's apartment and shared it in front of '80s movies and a Depeche Mode concert DVD. Everyone drew numbers for gifts, 85% of which were cocktail-related. (Hmm.) The best part was photographing each other opening the gifts. Everyone knows that pictures of people opening gifts are the most boring pictures there are. So several of us enlivened the process by making the most over-the-top excited facial expressions possible. I still look at those pictures and crack up, a year later. Can't wait to do it again.

Another fun part of the holiday is movies. Going to the movies, and renting movies with my children and friends.

We don't have snow here, but it'll be nice in December, when it gets down to 60 degrees each day and we can break out the extra blankets. That's when I'll start looking at Christmas decorations, you guys. When it's not hot enough to go to the beach anymore.

Kroger Sucks

Seriously. I'm not kidding. Kroger, one of our local grocery store chains, wins my prize for The Most Consistently Shitty Customer Service. I'm not talking about mere unfriendliness, or your run-of-the-mill lack of common courtesy. I mean that Kroger employees go the extra mile and take the time to show you, in so many ways, that they dislike their jobs and especially dislike being forced to help you with your groceries for their paychecks.

The Kroger on 11th and Shepherd is always a good source for rude teenagers who purposely slam your food into the bags and then giggle moronically when you ask them why they're doing it. However, for an all-out crappy customer service extravaganza, with maximum disrespect for your dollar, you simply have to try the Kroger on West Gray, in Houston's fabled River Oaks shopping center. It really is phenomenal, the way the employees there go out of their way to show their disdain. Whether it's the women in the deli rolling their eyes at you and walking off to finish their personal conversations while you're waiting for your order, or the sackers dropping your plants on the floor and then whispering "what a bitch" to their coworkers when you ask them to be careful, every visit to River Oaks Kroger provides a fresh opportunity to learn that your money is not welcome there. They should put up a sign that says, "If you don't like it, go to hell, or to Randall's, or to Central Market, or to Whole Foods." And you know what? I think I will. Thanks, Kroger employees! Sorry to have bothered you with my annoying attempts to spend my $500 per month grocery-budget allowance on your products!

And, on that note, here's someone even more demanding than me. Fictional character, but still hilarious.

One Last Shopping-Related Thing

How effing annoying is it when stores are closed on Sundays?

If stores are going to be closed on Sundays so that people can allegedly spend all day worshipping God, then I suggest that America declare Monday part of the corporate American weekend so that I can have more than one day a week to get my errands done.

Don't even start me on the fact that most stores are only open during the same hours that I'm at my job. I guess I'm the stupid one here, for not having a housewife to run errands and make purchases for me while I work.

But you would think that if America were the awesome bastion of capitalism that our president and friends are fighting terrorism for it to be, that someone besides Wal-Mart and Kwickie Mart would be open at an hour when 90% of the population can actually shop without having to take a sick day.

And don't even get me started on the suckitude and lack of logic that is Daylight Savings Time...

Instead of putting up Christmas trees the day after Halloween, maybe the local merchants should research more plausible shopping hours and petition the government to give us back our after-work daylight. THEN maybe I'd be able to do my job as a citizen of our God-based, consumerist nation, you know?

Jesus, people. Jesus H. Wal-Mart-shopping, Starbucks-sipping Christ.

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10:11 AM #

Comments:

 Gwen,

Consider yourself lucky . In Humble where I live, it's Kroger or Nada. They closed the Fiesta ( may they rot in hell) they closed the Gerlands, the Randall's et al over the years. They opened a super Tar Jay over by the Townsen Blvd park and ride...and food wise they suck. So if I don't want to drive to the HEB in Atoscasita ..it's Kroger.

Sigh

I know how you feel...Personally I hate the Gallaris/RO area anyway.


# posted by Blogger Boschka : 12:15 PM  

 I stopped going to Kroger also. Too many times I found fruit flies swarming around the peaches or noticed that the meat cases were at the wrong temperature. They put the little dial thermometers in plain sight of the customers - you'd think they'd either look at them once in a while themselves or move them so no one notices the problem.
This is at our brand-new "Signature" store, mind you.
Twice, I told the manager about the problems. He said, "Yes, sir. I'll check it out." But he never did. The third time, I wheeled a half-filled shoping cart up to him, told him the fruit flies and spoiling meat disgusted me and I'd decided not to buy all these groceries after all. He still didn't get the point (allthough he may have just decided I was a complete jerk - I neither know nor care).
A perturbed e-mail to Kroger headquarters earned me several store vouchers, but I still refuse to spend them on spoiling meat and fly ridden fruit.
Dunno, maybe I'll call the county HD next - I doubt they care either.


# posted by Blogger R.T. Lemur : 1:14 PM  

 Actually, I saw a mouse running across the vegetable section of that same Krogers not too long ago. Given, they were under remodeling, but still--that's gotta say something about their management.

And what's the deal with Chick-fil-A not being open on Sundays? I really hate that. I know the owner has his chain closed for religious reasons, but why should religion be a part of your business? I guess the loss of profits make it worth it. I hope God will kick in with the bills.


# posted by Blogger Datty : 3:42 PM  

 What's Chick-fil-a? is it a grocery store. Because if it is then that's the stupidest name for a grocery store ever


# posted by Blogger lady imagination : 6:29 PM  

 Chick-fil-A is a chicken sandwich fast food chain. They are closed on Sundays, which of course means that every Sunday you are guaranteed to crave the hell out of some Chick-fil-A. Especially the lemonade.

Also closed on Sundays is Hobby Lobby. Which means that nearly every Sunday I drive past a closed Hobby Lobby to take my 40% off coupon to a Michael's.

But my biggest pet peeve is the carwash that's by my house. It's one of those drive-through deals, and for $7 my car is clean. But they are closed on Sundays, and they put this huge "Closed on Sundays, Our Day of Worship, Have you accepted Jesus?" sign up. Wears. Me. Out.


# posted by Blogger J : 7:28 PM  

 J: I hope that car wash place isn't automated -- cause if it were, that would be utter nonsense.
I bet those Jesus freaks have nasty, dirty-ass cars.


# posted by Blogger Datty : 10:26 PM  

 You crack me up Gwen. I dont have a Krogers but we do have other grocery stores with the same brats working and rolling their eyeballs. Spoiled ass kids with no clue on how to act.

R,T. Lemur: Next time fill up the darn cart with all that rotted fruit and wrapped meat and THEN bring it to them and tell them "there I did your job for you as a favor and got rid of all that bad produce and warm meat for you."
Heh.

Our local grocery store has bad meat and seafood all the time. I found out from a neighbor who works there that you ask for them to go to the freezer and get your selection. Its awkward at first when they roll their eyeballs and go "huh?" but then they get it when you ask to speak to the meat manager. I have gotten sick twice from their almost bad meat/seafood.
It sick. I didnt realize it was all over the States, just thought it was bad here.


# posted by Blogger pixielyn : 11:05 PM  

 EEW!

Remind me not to shop at Kroger's, or Trader Joe's!

Janice~


# posted by Blogger Janice : 1:24 AM  

 Boschka: That sucks. I do consider myself lucky.

The Hobby Lobbies in Central Texas (not sure about the ones here in Houston) post signs that say something like, "We are closed on Sunday so that our employees may worship with their families."

I always thought they may as well just put up a sign that says, "Non-Christians need not apply."


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 11:25 AM  

 In Louisville where I grew up, Krogers are top notch... it's the Winn Dixies that are disgusting. I was at one Winn Dixie and I noticed ants all over the canned tuna fish area. I said something to an employee who responded "yeah... that happens sometimes." UGH.

I know what you mean about stores closing early on Sundays. When I get caught up on all the things I have to do, it's impossible to shopping for pleasure. I am a fan of my grandfather's system. He ran an accounting office. Usually around early October, he would circulate a calendar for November-December. Each employee in his department would be allowed to schedule 2 half days off for shopping (morning or afternoon) without a reduction in pay. Only one person could any one half day off (it was a small department of about 10 people), and it was first come, first serve. I always thought this was an excellent system. He rarely had employees taking sick or personal days for shopping, and they appreciated the time to get things done during the holidays.


# posted by Blogger JTN : 11:54 AM  

 Religion or no, the Chick-fil-a job was highly coveted when I was in school. No kidding, competition was tough...

Restaurant & retail jobs for students tend to over schedule weekend hours, which really sucks for your social life, family time, and study time (who me? study?). The Chick-fil-a job was great because you always got time off one the weekend to do... whatever.


# posted by Blogger R.T. Lemur : 3:22 PM  

 When I was a kid, my dream job was retail clothing. But, instead, I did the summer counselor gigs. Then, in college, I worked at grocery stores. I never even considered fast food. Although we did appreciate the Corn Dog employee who hooked us up at the mall every Saturday.

Check it out - even the people who *make* Kroger suck think that Kroger sucks:

http://xiaoxia.blogspot.com/2005/11/last-day-at-kroger.html


# posted by Blogger Gwen : 3:28 PM  

 To Jointhenoise,

Honey, You have the best Grandfather in the world for using that system. Not only is it practical, it shows respect for the employee and the fact that said employee has a personal life.

Bravo,


# posted by Blogger Boschka : 12:34 PM  

 From an ex-Kroger employee...

Preach it sista! Kroger blows big time. I'm from Cincinnati, the home of Kroger, and we have so many Kroger stores its like a viral infestation. Kroger sucks from the top down, though. They pay much less than anybody else, and they fight tooth and nail to avoid having togive raise or pay on insurance claims and whatnot.

I used to work for their tech support. They hired me in as a contractor, promising to pay $30k - $32k upon hire as a full time employee. They fired me twice in the first month. The first time was due to a glitch in their time management system (they fired 15 people at once...nearly half the staff) and the next was due to the fact that I skipped work one day ... after we had 15 inces of snow and ice and the local police said that anybody out driving would be arrested. I threatened to sue and they gave me my job back. Two weeks later, they made me an assistant tech support manager (because I actually worked). A month later, they offered me a full time job making $11 bucks per hour with no benefits and no vacation (as an assistant manager!).

And for all you people out there who think you got it good...Krogers is the second largest grocery chain in America behind WalMart. They run Ralphs, Dillon's, Fred Meyers (not to be confused with Meijer), and a host of small mom and pop chains across the US.


# posted by Blogger The Sasquatch : 9:53 PM  

 Yes, I agree that Kroger's on West Grey sucks balls. Not to mention they never have shit in stock and they charge more money for the same shit than the Kroger's on Wesleyan. WTF.

I too am annoyed by stores being closed on Sundays. Not to mention that all the fucking boutiques are only open during the time that I have to be in the office. Annoying.


# posted by Blogger MissCathee : 4:32 PM  

 I compleatly agree with you on the fact that Kroger Sucks. I happen to work at the krogers on west airport and high way 6. Thats in sugarland for those of you that didnt know. I have unfortunatly been working there for almost a year and a half now. Every day when i have to go to work, i contemplate commiting suicide. That place seriously makes me want to kill myself. the managers are all compleate dill holes that dont know how to do their jobs. It has gotten so bad that i sometimes have to do their job for them. I working as a cashier, getting paid a mere 6.15$ an hour hate my job. I think that they should close the entire store chain, and systematically assassinate the head managers. I would rant some more, but right now i have to go home and get ready for work. Anyone have a noose I can borrow?


# posted by Blogger Sammeixii : 1:58 PM  

 This post has been removed by a blog administrator.


# posted by Blogger mrslenz : 4:47 PM  

 I'm pagan...but I still want off on Sundays. Not everyone who is off on Sundays goes to church. Sometimes it's the only time you can go to a good event.


# posted by Blogger madulla : 9:48 PM  

 I work for smiths in las vegas owned by kroger too they suck. I have been working for ralphs too also owned by kroger. They pay shit wages and waste there money on stupid stuff. Anyone who wants to chat more about this send me a message on myspace. I have wrote plent of blogs about them. my myspace name is xblessing my page name is the cali kid


# posted by Blogger xblessing : 4:10 AM  

 quit your freaking gripping if you work for kroger you chose to get a job there they didn't come make you take the job.. for the ppl that bitch about customer service wise up treat us like ppl not someone that is under your feet.. i treat all my customers with respect but if you don't give me respect don't expect me to give you a fake smile. Then another thing you stupid ppl that come in when we are about to close on holidays and ask if we are still open get all your shit before hand we have families too...


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 1:47 PM  

 I had tried to work for Kroger Management Trainee program for the past 3 - 4 years. The second time around I passed everything that was thrown at me and still I got denied for the position. Betsy Schirmer of the cincinnati home office does not know a good employee if I smacked her in the face (which I still feel like doing!) I guess I should consider myself lucky (with all these comments)... since I don't have to look at her ugly ass face!!
Wooow!!!!
Bitter-Bitch
Ps. i was just trying to get the experience and then leave they ass!


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 7:11 PM  

 i left a carton of soy milk in my cart at the kroger in oxford, ms. i didn't notice it because it was hidden under the 20 plastic bags containing one maybe two items each. i get home...an 8 mile drive...no soy milk. i go back to kroger and spy a cart by the manager's desk full of items brought in by the cart boys...obviously kroger's version of the lost and found office. i did not have my receipt...it was in on of the 20 plastic bags back at my house...could not prove i purchased the soy milk. the manager interrogated the checker who remembered me but could not swear under kroger oath if i purchased any soy milk. the lost and found cart was full of nothing but soda, junk food, little debbie brownies, paper towels and then of course my carton of soy milk. the manager refused to believe my story and i thought..."if i wanted to rip off kroger why would i steal soy milk". my god...nobody steals soy milk---do they?. i would have at least claimed i left a couple of lobsters or a beef tenderloin. the manager still refusing to believe my story gave me a pat on the back and in a patronizing way said "sir...just take your soy milk and have a good evening". i'll never go back. oh by the way...while i was there i watched one of the bakery clerks throwing away donuts, tarts, eclairs, etc. guess they were a day old and not fit for human consumption. they could have at least offered me a day old bear claw for my trouble.


# posted by Blogger Johnny : 7:11 PM  

 If you don't mind people working on the weekends, why don't you take off one or two days during the week to run your errands and then work on the weekend when the "freaks" are close?


# posted by Blogger chef : 10:57 AM  

 Yeah I work for Kroger too in TN. Some are really worthy of saying "I'd rather starve than shop there." I do have to say though, that I am a good employee. I help customers as best as I can, even if they are being a little rude with me, or keeping me on the phone for 30 minutes when I have a line of customers glaring at me. I don't even like talking on the phone. A lot of the teenagers don't care, and it pisses me off sometimes that I work my ass off, and they play around all day-and get paid the same...I started at $6 an hour when I started, and at my 3 yr anniversary I'll make 10.80...not bad for a regular employee...I do like my job. I am adament about taking my breaks on time, but I make up for it cuz I work hard to get things done-even if it means doing anothers job in addition to my own. I do hear u guys about the bugs though. We get flies in the summer (deli) and theres nothing we can do about it. We can clean all day, have them come out and spray, put vinegar under the slicers, anything we try won't help. They come in through the open doors and go where theres food. OK ranting done..thx


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 2:54 AM  

 I work at kroger, also, in Cincinnati. I used to be a cashier but was promoted to working in customer service. I can't speak for all kroger employees, but I am always very friendly. Sometimes it's hard because people can be difficult. I think many customers don't understand that when there is an issue, I (and any customer service person) am usually not the reason that they are upset. It can be very upsetting when you're treated badly. That goes for customers who feel like they aren't being treated well, but also for employees who are only trying to do their jobs. I pretty much go by the rule that if a customer asks for something within reason, I'll do it. Especially for someone that I recognize as a regular customer.


# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 10:37 AM  

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