The Aldi Shopping Cart

As many of you know, I enjoy conducting amateur social experiments.  Well, it's closer to justifying the phenomenon of people watching.  I do my best to learn from the behavior of others around me while gaining context and perspective on how the world works.

A hotbed for human behavior is the discount grocery store Aldi.  In addition to the cheap produce and surprisingly fresh tasting salmon, the most anticipated time about my trip to Aldi is the few moments in the parking lot before and after the shopping experience.  My Aldi trip is defined by the shopping cart.

I can't tell you how many times I've rolled into the parking lot sans quarter.  Of course, I try to keep the cupholder stocked with at least 3-4 quarters at all times.  You know, insurance.  But somehow I arrive empty more than I'd like to admit.  I've gone inside and made change for a dollar so I could rent a cart from the corral.  I've also made the decision to proceed without a cart and attempt the juggling act that is certain to follow.  It's impossible to run in just for avocados.  I seem to always grab additional salsa, gluten free granola, Bolthouse Farms "green juice," etc.  I drop several items on my way to the lightning fast checkout lane and secure a mini-workout with one-legged squats, grip work that burns my forearms, and so-on.

Standard protocol at Aldi: bring a quarter to get a cart, return the cart and get a quarter back.  This is all pretty straight forward stuff.  Or, is it?

What happens when what is expected is actually not the norm?

If I see a wanderer on his or her way into the store, am I supposed to offer my cart?  Do I ask for a quarter or graciously donate the cart?  Should the other make the generous offer of 25-cents?  Is that even considered generous?  So many questions.

What if, on my way into the store, the car next to me is loaded with groceries and the owner offers me his/her cart?  Do I simply say thanks and take the cart?  Or do I need to enter into the awkward negotiation to see if they want my quarter?  If they take my quarter, are they being stingy? Are they obligated to say, "nah, it's on me..."  And if that's out of obligation or pressure, is it true generosity?  And am I being ungrateful if I automatically assume they're offering me their cart so they don't have to walk it back to the corral?

So many questions over 25 cents at a store that we choose to shop at in order save a significant amount of money.

What does that 25 cents reveal in us, though?  Are we grateful in accepting a free cart or entitled if we do?  Are gracious for offering a cart or just lazy?  If the cart exchange happens outside of the corral, what is the expectation with that quarter?

I really don't want to walk all the way back to the store and leave my whining children in the car alone with new snacks, so I can look pious by giving it to someone else and one-up that piety with gracious humility by turning down their obligatory quarter offer.  You know, pay it forward kind of stuff.

I could also take that cart on my way in to save that person a trip.  You're welcome.  Yay, free cart for me.  I didn't even have to reveal that I was sans quarter today.  God blessed me, right?  Certainly, I don't want to take away another's opportunity to bless someone or to be a light that day by trying to offer 25 cents for their gift and servanthood.  That could actually be more offensive than not saying thank you for the free cart.  A gift with strings attached isn't truly a gift.  As a Christian, I know how to accept free gifts (like salvation).  But on the flip side, what an entitled prick, right?  What if I turn down their cart and get my own from the corral as they return theirs?

I'm confused.  What am I supposed to do?  Should I just put my head down, mind my own business and follow standard protocol?  Are the expectations different for an extrovert compared to an introvert?  I like engaging with others while I shop.  If I pretend I'm on the phone, does that change things?  Wait, what if the other person is a young female, does it look like I'm hitting on her if I give her a cart?  I definitely want to preserve my witness...especially in front of my kids.

Does that 25 cents really matter?  Does it reveal what's inside our soul?  Our true character?  It doesn't matter, does it?  Or maybe it matters a lot more than we think.

What are your thoughts on The Aldi Shopping Cart?