1$ Coins

[jay-ell]

That's exactly what it is. I live in the suburbs; I can walk to a grocery store but that's extremely rare in my town. I can only think of three subdivisions/complexes in the whole town that are within walking distance to any kind of shopping whatsoever, out of several dozen. We looked extensively when we were house shopping, and that's the main reason we bought here.

We don't have a lot of homeless people in our town because we aren't walkable and have terrible public transit. Most of the homeless  in our area live closer to downtown Raleigh, where they have access to more services and bus routes.

In Raleigh, with the university and a bunch of condos and mixed-use buildings downtown, it's possible to live without a car, but here in the 'burbs, everybody has to drive everywhere.

[theinevitable]

I just took the bus for the second trip ever (I think maybe I took it some times when I was a freshman in college but back then I didn't even understand which way was up in St Louis. so that doesn't count.) I think I am getting really into it. Was at a concert with friends, and decided it was too loud and bad... just walked a block, got on the bus, and now I am back at my house instead of at a stupid concert.

[pmcd9]

I'd say that the store in my neighborhood is smarter to let the customers take the carts with them.  As evidenced by the picture I linked to earlier, those folks purchased way more groceries than they could have possibly carried.  I took this photo in an area where bums tend to hang around sometimes.  I guess the bums in my neighborhood are not interested in shopping carts.

I must add however, that this is the only grocery store I've ever known of that doesn't mind the customers taking the carts.

When I lived in Utah I remember one time walking down a creek behind the grocery store and seeing dozens of carts there that had rolled off the parking lot and down a hill.  I don't know if the store was aware that they were there.

[side_show]

I could write a really emotional post related to helping a homeless couple with maneuvering their shopping cart, but unfortunately due to some of the details, doing so would be illegal under the Personal Health Information Act and could get me into serious trouble.  The identifying details of the couple are what make the story interesting, but unfortunately such details are too identifying.  They are the only couple like them in my community.

[Asherdan]

Goddam HIPAA*, getting in the way of my free entertainment. Who do I sue about that shit!

*or whatever puppy pee canadian version smell has to put up with.

[smick]

My Crackpot Theory:

I just got back from Ecuador.   Apparently in 2000, the banks there closed one night with everyone's Ecuadorian Sucres, but reopened the next day with US Dollars in paper money, and dollar coins.   For smaller currency, they have their own coinage, but in the same dimensions and values as ours.

Every cab I got into, the driver had a huge wad of these dollar coins to make change with.   They've really embraced the Sacajawea dollar coin down there.   Maybe they're all there instead of here.   

[Asherdan]

Fascinating, I had no idea Ecuador was making use of U.S. currency that way. I wonder how that deal works?

huh. double huh. triple huh.

[Nabubrush]

In honor of s_s, a lovely song about shopping carts. Bonus: sung by a guy from Canada.

[smick]

Fascinating, I had no idea Ecuador was making use of U.S. currency that way. I wonder how that deal works?
 triple huh.

That was my experience down there.   The guides said "You can get $20s from the ATMs, but they'll be pretty much useless.   So before my trip I went and pulled $600 in $5 and $1 from the bank. 

After the guy put it on the counter all stacked and rubberbanded, I looked at him and said "uh, I didn't think this through.  Do you have something for me to transport this in?" It was a 6" stack of bills.   He gave me a manilla envelope, and I felt like a bag man walking through the parking lot. 

[Nabubrush]

That was my experience down there.   The guides said "You can get $20s from the ATMs, but they'll be pretty much useless.   So before my trip I went and pulled $600 in $5 and $1 from the bank. 

After the guy put it on the counter all stacked and rubberbanded, I looked at him and said "uh, I didn't think this through.  Do you have something for me to transport this in?" It was a 6" stack of bills.   He gave me a manilla envelope, and I felt like a bag man walking through the parking lot. 

I love this story.