Yesterday at Publix Supermarket

[packman]

I like Publix for several reasons. However at checkout the young bagger was wearing his required (store says employees must wear masks- customers encouraged, but not denied entrance) around his chin. Clever little snot.

I said, "Is your chin going to get Covid". He replied, "Could be" I told him I wanted the mask worn properly if he was going to bag my stuff. He pulled it over his mouth. "How about over your nose too" I requested.

The check out clerk , I noticed then pulled her mask over her nose.

The little snot (at a loss for a better word) completed his bagging, and wished me "Have a good day"- but I could hear "You old fart" behind his words.

Of course I complained to the manager who gave a look of resignation and said he'd look into it.


The kid really infuriated me with his oh-so-clever interpretation of the store's policy.

Think I'll write a letter to the head office.

Wife said I'm an old, grumpy fart - damn, guess I am

[kairos12]

1. What a shitweasel. I am also a GOF.

[snowybirdie]

2. Thank you

If we old farts don't insist on proper mask usage, no one will. And bitch! Management must know!

[JT45242]

3. Had a similar event at Costco

Went directly to the management desk.

"If you are not going to enforce your mask policy by having employees wear them correctly. Then stop lying to the people who pay to be members and refund our money. I then pointed out the two employees who were not wearing masks correctly. I then pointde out that I would be happy to call corporate offices about this since I only shop at Costco in person because of their mask policy for employees. They could either enforce the policy or expect that I would call corporate and explain why they would be losing my thousands of dollars of business, credit card, and other business."

I then wrote down the managers name on my receipt and walked out. The POS checkout clerk has had the mask on correctly the last two times that I had to get things from the store.

I could easily shift all my shopping to other stores on line and have them put stuff in the back of my car. So the threat is real.

[hlthe2b]

4. Complaining can work. I saw the same among every damned male employee (but not the females)

in Walmart a few weeks ago. Upon checking out, I gave kudos to the cashier for wearing hers properly and mentioned my frustration that their male employees were giving co-workers and the public the big middle finger by hanging their required masks under their chins. Well, the manager happened to walk by (early morning, store almost empty) and overheard the last part which I then discussed with her in more detail. I mentioned that I recognized her challenge, but this was not optional, IMO and I would be commenting on it upon receipt of the usual survey I receive via email every time I shop. I could tell she was concerned. One week later I ran in for an item I can't find elsewhere at about the same time: every person I saw in the store was wearing one correctly.

Now, my locale has returned to mandatory masking so I'd expect compliance, but for a couple of weeks, I think my complaint may have helped.

[Texin]

13. It'll work IF you have them void the transaction and go to the manager with

an explanation/complaint that you had the transaction canceled because both the bagger and checker weren't properly masked. Then walk out of the store. When retail businesses (most anyway) watch customers walk out and go elsewhere, they'll take action with the employee(s).

[patphil]

5. Also being an old fart, I can say that unless you make a stink, no one will know you're there.

[ShazzieB]

20. As another member of the Old Fart Club,

I see what you did there!

[3Hotdogs]

6. Labor supply is probably the reason for lack of enforcement of employee mask policy.

[BlackSkimmer]

7. The Publix I go to is excellent. Masks always worn properly.

At Harris Teeter the other day, the young guy manning the self serve area had his mask under his nose.

Annoying, but I’ve had my shots, keep my distance, and I saw no point in making a deal out of it. I have faith in the vaccines.

[taxi]

15. They're usually fairly tight on things. Newbe manager maybe

[sarcasmo]

8. Emails and the corporation Twitter handle are noticed and I have received replies.

[MagickMuffin]

9. I had an older woman bugging my stuff and would lick her fingers on the bags to open

I told her to quit licking her fingers on my bags. I see people still licking their fingers to sort through papers, shopping bags, etc. I guess they don't know any better, but this behavior bothered me before the pandemic.


I know someone who was hospitalized with covid still licking his fingers to move between pages. I have to remind him to stop doing that. He's been fully vaxxed, but apparently some habits are hard to break.

[ShazzieB]

24. I think shopping with a mask on for the last 14 months has finally broken me of thst habit!

And yes, it's an icky habit, but I did used to do it without thinking. Those darned bags stick together, and that's the quickest and easy way to get them apart. But I've learned how to peel them apart without licking, so yay!

*I always go the self check route if the store has one, because I actually prefer it. I bring my own reusable bags more often than not, but sometimes I forget, make an unscheduled stop at the store, or end up buying more than I expected.

[wnylib]

33. I had to learn to stop licking my fingers, too.

Since the stores where I shop only have those sticky bags in the produce section, I just touch my fingers to the spray coming out on the vegetables, or to the wet edge of the bin that they are in, then open the bags.

I have changed other habits, too. I am short, so it is easy for me to lean over counters when waiting. I no longer do that because it exposes me to surfaces that many others have touched.

Also, no more rubbing my eyes with my hands, except at home AFTER I have thoroughly washed my hands.

[halfulglas]

41. Some of the stores where I shop (in MD) have these small plastic bowl-like things

With a rounded sponge in it. Some of the employees are very adept at it and automatically dampen their finger on the sponge. I was amazed. Too bad they don't have a smaller version to carry in my purse where you bag your own.

[AverageOldGuy]

10. As one grumpy old guy to another:

Give 'em hell.

Or, in the words of a really famous grumpy old guy:

I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell.

--- Harry S Truman

[momta]

11. Good for you!

And yes, please write to the head office on behalf of all of us angry old farts!

[Traildogbob]

12. Getting to the point

I may just stop giving a fuck. My years are numbered, spent my life teaching and practicing ecology and protecting earth. About time to let these brats try to exist is poison air, water and limited food, streets of slaughter wit weapons of war, no justice, no jobs, government of dictators for only the very rich, no health care and rampaging diseases and the only thing slowed to be read will be the BuyBull and the only TV, Fox, OAN and News Max, “Wresslin” and 300 channel of Jesus with billionaire preachers.
Just focus on me, my Dogs, and my forests while they are here. Enjoy bagging groceries brats, and no health care for the inevitable deadly diseases. No F’s left. And to think I served for these pukes and their privileged existence.

[diverdownjt]

14. Here...pull my finger...nt

[gab13by13]

16. Central Pa here

most grocery employees don't wear masks at all. Covid is over only 1,100 deaths a day.

[Cousin Dupree]

17. His boss should be monitoring employee's mask behavior. Bad management.

Write the letter.

[IronLionZion]

18. The Publix stores where I went were super strict about masks

last year in the Orlando area. Maybe it's different now.

[MLAA]

19. Glad you spoke up.

Might you also be a GOLF? Grumpy old lucky fart? Or Grumpy old lazy fart?

[packman]

32. No- just a GOF

Well, a bit lazy (blame it on my cat's influence)

[GoCubsGo]

21. An alternative response:

I guess you're wearing that chin diaper under down there to collect all your drool, eh?

[left-of-center2012]

22. I've had a couple problems with a local grocery

Complaints the store management got no results.
I Googled the home office and wrote them a written letter, not an email.

About four weeks later I got a written response with an apology in which they stated I would be receiving a phone call from the store manager within a certain date.

I never got the phone call so I wrote the corporate office again,
after which I got an apology phone call from the local store manager.

It's the squeaky wheel that gets the results.

Squeak loudly!

[left-of-center2012]

23. If your state is one that requires employees to wear masks

They, like mine, may have a phone number where you can report non-compliance..

[MustLoveBeagles]

25. No

You were in the right.

[LuckyCharms]

26. Shake the tree from the top. n/t

[plimsoll]

27. Not an old fart.

Failing to follow these kinds of policies that aid everyone is how we create Proud Boys, and Oathcreepers. Consider it the gateway drug to delinquency.

[Fritz Walter]

28. Pubelicks is not getting another red cent from me

Ever since the corporation -- not just the heir to the family fortune -- made a six-figure donation to moRon DeathSantis's PAC several months ago, I refuse to shop there. This occurred right before the state of FL designated COVID vaccination sites, including that grocery chain. Coincidence?!?

I'll continue shopping at Costco, Winn-Dixie, Fresh Market and other grocery stores.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

29. I never dreamed I'd be a Grumpy Old Fart

But here I am, just killing it.



Keep up the good work, people.

[ancianita]

30. No, you're not grumpy. Employees think their owner is a good Christian woman, but she helped fund

the 'stop the steal' Jan 6 rally at the Ellipse. Now she's hiding out in Italy. Julia Jenkins Fancelli.

https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/01/30/publix-heiress-paid-for-trump-rally-preceding-capitol-riots-wsj-reports/

[homegirl]

31. B.C.

Before COVID, I was visiting my daughter for Christmas. When checking out at the supermarket I noticed the bagger was coughing, running nose,sneezing and obviously feverish. I refused to have her bag our groceries and proclaimed loudly that she should be sent home.

That's the USA, beyond "shop 'til you drop" is the demon of "work 'til you drop."

[Wounded Bear]

34. You wife's wrong...

correct usage is "grumpy old fart."

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

35. Yeah, I I mean who but grumpy oldsters would care

about stopping the spread of a frequently deadly disease?

I wish my mom were more like you. She's a solid Dem, pro-vax & mask, etc. But she's had a few projects of work done in her house during this pandemic and would not insist the crews wear masks.

When my husband & I visited, we insisted. Once we left, they went back to working maskless.

And she's not the timid type. I just don't get it.

[Cha]

36. No that's ageist!

Fuck the COVIDIOTS!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

38. Welcome to DU. Enjoy the pizza.

[GP6971]

39. Enjoy your short stay!! n/t

[Celerity]

40. bye bye