Jo's Cafe

For those not around or in the military, you might want to skip this rant! Otherwise, be forewarned – I’m in a mood.

Since the SGM has been in Afghanistan, I have had to make the bi-monthly commissary run for cigarettes.  That is the main reason I go there. 

I HATE THE COMMISSARY and PX.

I usually get there at door-opening time; 10 am.  Today I was running a bit late, so didn’t get there until 10:30.  Fortuantely, the SGM/CSM parking space was open and I whipped the VUE in and headed into the most awful place to shop on the planet (next to the PX that is).

The SGM had requested some items, so I slipped out a basket from the depleted rack by the door and went to get the smokes first. 

What the hell is this?? The doors are closed on the cigarette area?  I moved closer and see a new sign that says now we must get our purchases from the tobacco area from the check-out person. 

Excuse me?

Is it not bad enough I have to put up with the warning signs about the hazards of smoking and the boxes of nicoret on every shelf (hints don’t work on me), but now I have to be treated like a 12 year old?!  :evil:

I fumed and went and got the stuff hubby needed then headed to the fast lane check out. They got an earful trust me on this.  Not only did it take longer to get the items I wanted; because I dang near had to go around the checker and point them out to the blind-as-a-bat gal, but it was frustrating to hear the reason why.

People would take the cartons and walk back out into the mall area and not pay for them.

Okay people — let’s get this straight.  There is only one way into the commissary.   There are two ways out.   The only way to get OUT of the commissary is a) go back the way you came or b) go through the check out line (duh) and then out the other two doors.

So instead of trying to figure out a different way of preventing people from walking out the “in” door with cigarettes, they have chosen to pay an extra cashier/clerk to run and fetch cigarettes for customers.   I don’t buy one carton at a time either; two of each kind hubby and I smoke. 

By the time I left the commissary I was frustrated as hell.  But I decided to go into the PX next to check out the books and shoe department.  I rarely buy clothing in the PX as the prices are higher than any store off post, but I do love to browse.

I should have taken the huge hint brick upside the head I got at the commissary and just went home (but remember I don’t take them well). The place was busy as hell; OCS soldiers getting their weekly supplies, normal shoppers, etc.  When I went in, I did notice that the fast-lanes were long and only two regular check-outs were up and running.  Should have been my ONLY clue to run for the hills.  But no … I’m stubborn.

After picking up a few items I headed to the check-out.  

Thirty (30) minutes later, my blood pressure has risen beyond the safe level and I’m not the only one. Every check out had a line going back into the store; and each was manned by the worst KMart reject from the area.  The lead checker finally got two extra “gals” to come up and open up, but slow as molasses in January doesn’t even begin to describe how these two were.  Then one poor gal paged the Power Zone (I counted) five times before that slow person showed up.  I’ve seen three-legged dogs move faster than this gal was going.  She had all fraking day it seemed. 

Oh – it didn’t end there; my bi-monthly track to Post.   On the way out of post I watched the car in front of me not even put on her brakes run right into the side of another car.  I waited for the MPs to show and tell them what I witnessed.  At least that good deed chilled the frustration level down some.

I was glad to see the front gates of Fort Benning, GA, two hours later, as I was going OUT them.

And in two weeks, I’ll do it all again!

I think I need a nap.