Hello     

Ever change your mind about a retail store item you were in the checkout line to purchase? Or, have you ever been 7 aisles away from where you picked up a grocery item when you decided you were not going to purchase it any longer?

Did you put it back where it belonged, where you found it? Or did you leave it wherever was most convenient for you for someone else to put back?

Last week, I was waiting to checkout at the grocery store as I observed a very important corporate executive brokering a business deal on her cell phone that would solve at least one major world crises right there in front of me. While talking on her phone and surveying her cart, she changed her mind about purchasing 8 out  of the 20 items she had gathered.

Rather than put them back where she found them, she not-so-discreetly crammed them into the soda cooler near the checkout stand. I watched her pretty intently and affixed my gaze on her actions.  We traded eye contact so I know that she knew I was watching her do this.       

Had I observed one of my kids doing this, the 'put it back' lecture would have been delivered in full 'annoying Dad-voice' with just one acceptable behavioral response to shut me up.  (return the items where they belonged) 

Her actions, in isolation and not knowing her background, lead me to conclude that there are two possible reasons for her behavior:  

Either

1. She lacks the APTITUDE to put things back.

 It is entirely possible that the woman has never had formal training in 'reverse shopping'. She may never have been taught the skills and techniques involved in putting things back where they were found. In which case, I can't fault her for not performing a function she simply doesn't know how to do. 

Or  

2. She has embraced an ATTITUDE that supports her actions.

Given my observations, I can imagine that someone who is so important in her work world yet still required to perform such a tactical function as grocery shopping might likely have been taught that it is ok to draw the line at reverse shopping.  And so, in her world, letting that task fall to someone else is completely acceptable. 

If I knew more of her back story, I'm sure I could figure out what was on display that day - was it aptitude or attitude? 

We've all changed our mind in the grocery store and we've all done some version of what this woman did.  In the grand scheme of things, this might seem trivial - but, take note of yourself next time you're in the situation - what will you do?      

Think about this: 

If character is what you do when no one is watching, what is revealed by what you do when you are being watched and the impact of your actions visible to others? 

Greetings!  

email: mmalinchok@verizon.net 

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