I saw this sign in a grocery store parking lot in California this weekend.  I live in Oregon and I have never seen this sign before.  It probably won’t be long because once California does something, Oregon is usually no more than a couple years behind.

In this case, it might even be a good thing, well I guess that depends on who you ask.  Some people around where I live take those carts all the way home. Problem is, they don’t seem to always make it back to the store.  I am not even sure who goes and gets all those carts once they leave the parking lot.  Maybe they have some kind of shopping cart recovery crew … I don’t know, somebody is doing it.  Oh sorry, got a little off topic ….

I had to read this sign about three times to actually visualize what was being said and once I figured it out, I looked around and sure enough, several carts right at the outer edges of the parking lot.  I’ll bet some guys is already working on some kind of electric jamming device so they can long haul those carts through the neighborhoods.   OK, enough jokes!

Read this thing – “Attention Shoppers”, like we getting ready to hear about a 50% off sale on aisle three.  “Our shopping carts will lock up if taken beyond the parking lot perimeter.”  Now we know what is going to happen if we try and take the carts.  I am actually kicking myself for not trying to take one just to see what would happen.  (I won’t blow that opportunity again.)

Then they make sure we know the limits and that the entire complex is surrounded. Alright, I had a lot of fun with this, but it really kind of bothers me.  Not because the stores are trying to maintain control of their carts but because of the message.

I think that is the way society is conditioning us today.  Our culture is defining what is acceptable, setting limits and invisible fences that once we get outside of the status quo, we will be locked down.  What happened to the free spirit that this country was built on.  Why do people get laughed at for crazy ideas or for doing the same thing a different way.

So this is what I think and this is NOT a political statement.  To be honest with you, I can’t stand politics.  The whole system is so messed up, it doesn’t hardly matter if you are on the left or the right anymore, you just better hope you don’t get on the bus that crashes.  I think that we have become so neutrally conditioned that what used to be considered strange is now the norm and everyone goes around trying to be like some body else just so they can fit in.  Politics is no different.  Both parties trying to be just a little more like the other so they can pick up a few more votes.  Whatever!

Are you buying any of this?  Are you picking up what I’m putting down?  Here’s the deal. BE REAL AND BE ORIGINAL!  Don’t get trapped inside the box (or the parking lot).  Be considerate and respectful of others but don’t be the “yes man” that everyone is sick and tired of.  Don’t get “locked down” and give up once you reach the perimeter. Howdoya like me now?

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   10/21/12            photo by author