The grocery shopping blues

January 4, 2021 by
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I enter the supermarket like an MI6 agent on a mission: furtive glances to identify maskless patrons, determined movements as I methodically toss items into the cart, and brisk steps to the next aisle because time is of the essence. This is not the way I shopped in January 2020.

In those halcyon days, my shopping trips were leisurely and indulgent. I pored over the produce bins, choosing bananas at the perfect stage of green turning to yellow and sniffing the ends of melons to assess how ripe they were. Can you believe it? I sniffed melons. Just one year ago, although it seems like much longer. Were I to do this now, I can only imagine the furrowed brows of my fellow shoppers, not to mention that it would be mighty difficult to discern such a delicate aroma through two layers of cloth.

Grocery shopping used to be the highlight of my week (read into that what you will). I would go to two or three different stores plus farmers markets in season. I reveled in discovering ingredients I had not known about before. Careful label reading meant that I might spend several minutes in one location as I searched for the perfect condiment. Today it is a mad rush to get in and out quickly, and I congratulate myself if I shave a few minutes off my shop. While this might be good for my time management, it is not great for my psyche.

I understand that disruption of my shopping habit ranks low on life’s list of problems – especially during a pandemic – and I am grateful that I am still employed and am generally doing well. Those are privileges not afforded to all. Nevertheless, losing one of my greatest weekly pleasures does sting a bit. As the saying goes, ‘it’s the little things.’

Now that the vaccine rollout is being implemented here in the US, I dream of again dallying in the produce aisle and lingering by the chocolate display. I guess this makes me an optimist, as does my recent purchase of a cheese serving set. While I have grudgingly embraced online grocery shopping for the moment, the siren call of the cheese case beckons. I have not eaten a sample cheese cube in months, and I can’t wait to try my first mediocre cheddar of 2021. Nothing will be more delicious.

Category: Antipasto

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4 Comments

  • Skamper  on  January 5, 2021

    Going to the grocery store is still the highlight of my week, since it is literally the only place I go. Like you, I try to be strategic and surgical, getting in, getting what I need, and getting out. What I miss is also stopping by a specialty store or a local international market for special items to round out the grocery store fare. Also like you, I recognize that this cannot even be considered a hardship compared to what others are going through. I share your optimism about the future, and hope that more will decide to help create the future we all look forward to by wearing masks (over the nose as well as mouth) and getting vaccinated when it is offered.

  • GenieB  on  January 8, 2021

    Going to the grocery store is really the only kind of shopping I like. I miss lingering in the grocery aisles, finding new things. I miss going to 3 or 4 specialty stores a week. I miss the Farmers’ Market, which is still going but doesn’t feel safe to me as an older person. All this will end some day. Hope it happens soon.

  • rosajane8  on  January 9, 2021

    I fell into a bout of depression as a result of everything. Grocery shopping was a favorite of mine, as well. Rushing in and out added to the depression so I decided to stop that….for the sake of my psyche. So I now shop at times where there are not many shoppers and can spend a little extra time as a result. Still not quite the leisurely stroll as it once was but adding just a little time helped ease the depression a little.

  • Sfgordon  on  January 11, 2021

    Haha, I also can’t wait to try some mediocre cheddar. I desperately miss lingering in store aisles and trying free samples 🙁

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