The Middle School Teacher Within

Holiday Shopping- need I say more?

Now, I realize that there is a certain amount of patience required when shopping between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. I get that, and I thought I was handling it pretty well.

A couple of weeks ago Cameron and I were in lime at the Gap. There were a few people waiting- but nothing unreasonable. The lady behind us got the attention of the worker "Excuse me, Are you going to open up the registers in the back? There is a line here." Really lady, a line?!? Seriously? Yes, of course there is a line. It's December- get over it.

So I have been comparing my patience to this woman ever since and thought I was doing well. (Bible 101 no-no by the way to compare your virture levels to others.)

I don't mind parking far away- I am glad that there are so many people out there boosting our economy. I don't mind the lines- plenty of opportunity for people watching. I don't mind the disgruntled retail workers- they put in long days. I don't mind digging through piles of clothes to find the right size- it's hard to continually pick up after shoppers every 5 minutes. I get it. It's going to be crowded and messy, but that's just the way it is.

What I do mind is people who completely disregardall common rules of mall walking when stores are at max capacity. (Hense the middle school teacher within kicking in.) For instance- going up the escalator; common sense would tell you to quickly move out of the way so that those behind you can safely depart. Common sense would tell you to walk on the right. Common sense would tell you to have your children walk infront of you so they ate not tripping the strangers behind you. Common sense would tell you to move off the "road" if you are waiting for the rest of your party or are stopping to look for your next destination.

At Alcott we have been working with the kids on how to move in the hallways most efficiently. We say things like "Walk and talk" to keep the hallways moving without clumps of conversationalists to maneuver around. We remind them to walk on the right. We ask them to walk with a purpose so they preplan their next destination.

The middle school teacher within desperately wanted to educate the complete strangers around me of these common courtesy rules. Maybe I should make some posters of these friendly reminders. Now that's the Elementary teacher within talking...