I'm waiting in line at Safeway. I've taken a quick break from work to run over and pick up some cat food and coffee, about the only things I consume these days.
I'm in the express line, there's always a line at Safeway but this one seemed the shortest.
There's a new clerk, fat, pleasant, he's trying to get the product code for a bun, he's calling for help.
I could have went to the "Self Serve" line, but I consider that a scam as well, wait to ring in my food myself, my god, I'm paying the highest price in the city for groceries, more even than I would at 7-11, at least make an effort to serve me...
Fat clerk is confused. He's new, there's no one there to help him and the line inches forward.
There's always a line at Safeway. Always always always.
It takes him 20 minutes to get a price check on the bun, meanwhile the other lines seem to be moving quicker. I switch lines. He's flushed, fumbling, he knows he's cocking up and I'm irate, it's not his fault but god-damn, why can't the most expensive, the most prestigious grocery store in the city afford to pay their staff just that little bit better, train them just that little bit more?....
I want to call the manager, but I'm late enough as it is, this was to be a quick stop.
Now it's half an hour and I'm paying for groceries, 2 minutes shopping, 30 minutes in line. At Safeway.