Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Convenience

ProdMaster, the local grocery store that we enjoy so much, was closed for a few days for technical difficulties. I sent Will out to get things a few times during those days, and each time he came back minus something that I had requested. Either the little stores didn't have it, or he didn't want to stand in yet another line. (Which I completely understand!) What I find very funny is that the babushki I talk to every day don't like ProdMaster, because "it's inconvenient. You have to walk all over and find things yourself. You can't just ask for them." Funny how different our idea of inconvenient is! I, along with most younger Russians, think that standing in four or five different lines, asking for separate items one at a time, and squinting over a counter to choose what you want is inconvenient. Babushki think modern grocery stores are inconvenient. All I can say is that this generation was happy to see that the technical difficulties were sorted out and the store open again today.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

And this babushka is pleased to know that it is again open....much love

Mrs said...

Oh my goodness! That's so amusing! It's like the days before refridgeration, when the mom would send the kid for a HALF stick of butter, since that's all she needed. Now I buy five boxes at a time at Costco!

Anonymous said...

I think it's all in what you're used to! The babushki are like I am about my point and shoot camera. I would much rather take my film to Wal-Mart, drop it off and come back an hr later and pick up the photos I want than go through all those things with the digital! Love, Baba Julie

Phyllis said...

Mrs, Russia still goes by the half-a-stick-system. We just call it European-style shopping or something. :-)

Baba Julie, I agree, digital is only more convenient if you and your home computer know how to use it. ;-)

Agape said...

Oh my goodness, that is so funny. I have to laugh about the half a stick of butter. My MIL (She lives in Greece) thought it was so funny, in London, that you could by a half a cucumber and okra came in packages of 6 or so. She is used to buying or growing large amounts of fresh food.

Phyllis I say this today and thought you might like to read it too. http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=maria22000

Mrs said...

There's just this movie about inner city life, and the mom is constantly sending the kid to the corner store for half a stick of butter. When he complains and asks why he can't get a WHOLE stick, his mom replies, "And if the house were to burn down, what would I do with a half-stick of butter?"

:-D

Anonymous said...

Standing in line with small children sounds like a punishment not a convenience. Good thing it was only a few days. Thanks for the prayers.

--Stephanie in AR