Monday, November 11, 2019

PAYBACKS ARE SWELL


The more common saying is that paybacks are Hell.  But sometimes they are also swell.  If you are not of a certain age, swell is kind of an old folks slang term meaning great or excellent.

Sometimes favor paybacks seem to get disproportionately inflated which gives them the "hell" label.  A coworker gave you a ride home when your car was in the shop and now they would like you to help them move from their 2600 square foot home into a one room condo on the third floor with no elevator.  Yikes. But sometimes, the paybacks are delightful and make you smile.

I am a height challenged woman. Whenever I am shopping I often have to find a taller person to reach something for me on a top shelf.

I've been known to ask a woman if I could borrow her husband to reach something for me. If no married couples on the scene,  I search the aisles for anyone taller than me.  I just don't have the courage to try climbing up the side of the display cases myself. I have reached the breakable age.

All this time I always felt a little badly having to interrupt someone's day to get that jar of peanut butter or laundry product for me even though they have always seemed willing to help. 

The other day, a handicapped woman in one of those electric shopping carts got my attention after I had pulled a carton of cashew milk out of the dairy case.

She quietly and with the familiar hesitancy I use to feel, asked me if I could help her. Seems she had asked for someone to reach something for her but they had mistakenly gotten the wrong product. She didn't notice till they had moved off. She was whispering as she asked me if I'd  go into the same case I had just been in to make the switch.

I almost clapped and did a little dance.  Someone was actually asking me to reach something for them? I was delighted to help.  I finally got to payback some of the folks that have reached things for me.  I did have to get on tippy toes to manage but wow did that feel good.

Now I no longer feel badly about asking for help reaching for things. Hey, it feels pretty good to help. As long as it is a child or someone in a motorized shopping cart asking me, my 5'1" can pull it off unless of course it is on the top shelf.  Being the reacher is so much more rewarding.

Do you also need help reaching things or are you the reacher?

53 comments :

  1. I need all the help I can get - all 5' 1" of me (used to be 5' 2", not sure what happened to the other inch). For some reason when I go shopping all the tall young shelf stackers go for their tea break so I also have to reasort to the smiling (pleading) act and asking " may I borrow your long arms" which usually gets a laugh.

    Doesn't it just make you 'mad' when the thing you want is on an unreachable top shelf - or worse, the shelf is nearly empty and as much as you poke your fingers up through the shelf grilles there's no way you can move what you want closer to the front hoping it might just topple a bit so you can grab it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy,
      We are in the same boat. We both much have the same taste for those things hidden on the top shelf. Wonder if they would let me carry a grabber in the store?

      Delete
    2. I don't see why they wouldn't allow it. I'm thinking of carrying mine.

      Delete
    3. River,
      Haven't done it yet but just may. Let me know how it works for you.

      Delete
  2. I've been both! And, I'm always glad to help someone in need that can't reach for something. But...Cashew milk!?!! Put it back on the shelf. (Kidding)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hootin Anni,
      Ha ha, hey try it. When I developed lactose intolerance in my 70's I had to switch. The no sugar added Cashew is as close to real milk I could find.

      Delete
  3. Well Patti, I have a reacher type body -- 5' 8 1/2" and have always wished I was shorter. Of course I'm happy to help a cuter height person reach for something. So far, I can still kneal/bend for bottom shelf items. Ha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Florence,
      Oh you would be fun to shop with. I never thought about the bottom shelf for tall folks. Hum, maybe I can be helpful there.

      Delete
  4. I am the same height as you. Well, I was once 5'3" but those extra inches have left for warmer climes, I suspect. I still climb up on the display cases occasionally. But I'm also a risk taker. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Djan,
      Ha ha, I have no doubt you would scale the display cases and not even need a chute. So far as I know I have only lost an inch and a half but I haven't measured in a while.

      Delete
  5. I've never been asked to help reach for someone. Might be because supermarket shopping always gives me a resting cranky face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joeh,
      Ha ha, I have been put off by some wearing a scowl but if they have their back to me, they are fair game.

      Delete
  6. I too am 5'1" and I climb the cases and I ask people. I have no problem asking for someone to reach it for me anymore. Of course my husband does this when we're together, he sees a short woman struggling and he asks her if he can reach it for them. Being 6'1" he can reach if for everyone. Especially if you point to it, otherwise he will NEVER find it. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret,
      I can see where Rick would be sensitive to the plight of the shorties having married one even though she is adventurous. Had to laugh at his not finding it. Perhaps it was a Rick type that had gotten the wrong item for the lady I helped.

      Delete
  7. Nothing cheers me up more than my morning cup of coffee and a new blog from Arkansas Patti :) Very glad you were able to help that woman and I'd like to know, is cashew milk good? The older I get, the more inclined I am to cut back on the dairy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doug,
      Thanks so much for my going well with your coffee. As for the cashew milk, I developed a late in life intolerance to milk (broke my heart) and the unsweetened cashew milk was the closest to real milk I could find.

      Delete
  8. I've had to ask for help reaching things that are to high and even too low. But it's never bothered me. I have helped others in motorized carts and shorter people. Never really thought about in terms of paybacks. I live in e friendly, helpful town.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jean,
      Oh I have never had any refusals or even grumpy helpers, I just am a bit independent and hate to do something I should be able to do myself. I was just thrilled to finally be on the helping end.

      Delete
  9. I sm fairly tall and I seem to look approachable so people often ask me to assist and I'm glad to do so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carolyn,
      I have no doubt you would be a gracious reacher. I think most of us enjoy the ability to help out for such a simple matter. I just never had the opportunity before. It is more fun being the reacher than the reachee.

      Delete
  10. I am barely one inch taller than you so I too need help reaching things. I have been known in the past to climb the shelving units but not for some time. At home I have a stool or my son, but otherwise I need to find someone who can assist.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eileen,
      Pretty sure I wouldn't come to you for help. We are too close in height. I use to climb also but haven't for the past several years. Just don't bounce like I use to:)

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sorry 2nd try, too many typos.
    I'm tall enough, 5'7, to have people ask me to reach something and I'm happy to do it. However my favorite grocery has stocked items I want on top of shelves so tall I can't reach it with a stick so to speak. I wonder why?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Celia,
      I know. Why is it the things I like are on the top shelf and at least two people before me have taken those closest to the edge. We must have similar tastes.

      Delete
  13. I used to be 5' 1 3/4" but am down to 5' 1" now. My 6' tall son and mid-sized DIL help when they are here but I have three different size very sturdy stools that are lifesavers--1,2,and 3 steppers with a top bar to hold on to. They were a gift from my sweet DIL and I use them all the time. In stores I usually have one of them with me now but I used to have to ask for help a lot. I do know what you mean, though. When I moved to this senior building I have been able to help people in wheelchairs and using walkers when they drop something. Feels great! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita,
      I know what you mean. When we have spent a lifetime relying on others to reach stuff for us, it really feels good to be the giver, not the receiver. Keep up the good work.

      Delete
  14. I tend to climb up the shelves, but always have the feeling it could end in tears, with me buried under a pile of cornflakes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joey,
      Well at least you are young enough to only worry about a mess, not broken bones. Careful out there and watch out for those wicked cornflake boxes:))

      Delete
  15. I'm 5'3... (use to be be 5'4 but you know how that goes). And I generally look around for someone to help, but if no one is around, I climb (usually brings someone running).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rian,
      Ha ha that is funny and I'll be it does get you attention in a hurry. I may have to try faking a climb to see what happens.

      Delete
  16. I'm 5'2" and don't often need help getting stuff from high shelves because I always shop with my much taller husband. If I were alone, I'd probably ask the first person I saw to help me. I'm glad you got to give a payback. Good way to balance the kindness in the world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. robin,
      Keep that tall guy handy. It was kind of nice for a change to be on the helping side.

      Delete
  17. Being 4'11" I have many times asked for help to get something at the store or even other places. I don't like having to ask but if I really need something that I cannot reach I do give in and ask for help. I have been asked to help others from time to time but not to reach something for them. Another interesting post sweet Patti. Hope you and the furries are staying nice and warm. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      You are more vertically challenged than I am. I understand hesitating to ask for help but I know when I was able to help, it really felt good. Just think that you are making someone feel better about themselves if just for a moment. I plan to.

      Delete
  18. I am not short but I too have had trouble reaching things, especially when my favorite product is running low and the last one is way back on the top shelf. If there is someone around who can help, I do ask. And i also ask those wheelchair bound if they need help if they look like they do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,
      Isn't it interesting that the things we like are popular, on the top shelf and at least two people have all ready removed the easy to get ones.

      Delete
  19. I need help if I'm shopping in the hugely popular supermarket across the main road, where they shelves are taller than usual and the items I need from there are on the top shelf. At the closer supermarket, the shelves aren't as high and I only need help for the top shelf if the front of the shelf is empty and supplies are further back than I can reach. I have one of those long handled gripper things and I'm beginning to think I should take it with me when I shop, because around here most people aren't all that tall, the area is about 90% elderly people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River,
      I have one of those grabbers and have thought about taking it but usually there are not that many times I would need it. Guess I could keep it handy in case someone else needed it.

      Delete
  20. Thankfully, I think they keep the shelves mostly within our reach in Hawaii since a lot of people are not super tall here. I do enjoy helping when I can too. Yay!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay,
      That is really interesting and looks like the owners have realized the size of their clientele and have adjusted for them. Good on them.

      Delete
  21. I used to be a very tall reacher. My problem was getting stuff off that back bottom shelf. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mage,
      Yikes, even shorty me has trouble with those. Ya need good knees:)

      Delete
  22. I rarely get asked to reach, but occasionally have had to ask others for help with top shelf items. Otherwise I am the inquisitor...especially if it pertains to auto parts, tools, hunting gear or toys, anything in that one section of Wally World. Everyone is fair game, men and women alike. "Is this the right size thingamajob?"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri,
      Oh yeah, me too. Isn't it nice when people are so willing to translate for us?:))

      Delete
  23. I am the asker. And I, too, am at the breakable age. Such an apt term! I will probably be borrowing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LC,
      You are welcome to borrow the term. It does sneak up on us doesn't it?

      Delete
  24. my problem is vertigo which means I don't use ladder any more. Volunteers are tough to find for that job....:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ray,
      Yikes, that is a bit harder than finding someone to reach for us.

      Delete
  25. Don't ask me how it happened but I've lost 3 full inches over the years and am now 5' 4 inches. I ALWAYS have to ask for help now but it doesn't seem to be a problem … although I have to admit I wait to ask the "gentlemen" !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginnie,
      That is quite a bit to lose. I prefer a gentleman but I will ask anyone taller than me if there are none.

      Delete
  26. I can usually reach, and Bob is often with me so he can reach even higher. However, just this week we needed something that was pushed waaaay back on the upper shelf. I absolutely told him not to climb on the lower shelf to get the item. We don't need any more mishaps! Instead, we got a worker who brought a small ladder and got it for us. Neither of us can be trusted on ladders anymore!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb,
      Oh I know what you mean by those items way in the back on the top shelf. Then I too go looking for an employee.

      Delete