More Spring Breakers than ever in SoWal

based on my visit there last night, the cashier's right. lucky for me, i get to travel to destin this morning

jr

That's what the cashier at Publix said.

Which is good for business. Right?

based on my visit there last night, the cashier's right. lucky for me, i get to travel to destin this morning

jr

If you thought Publix was busy last night, you should go people watching (not grocery shopping) at Publx on Sat evening about 4-5pm. Now that is crazy. The problem isn't so much that many people are there shopping (although it is a problem), but that so many people are inconsiderate and stop there buggies in the middle of the isles along with all of the people who came with them to the beach. Picture 5-6 people in groups down each and every isle blocking the way with a dazed look on their faces, wondering what groceries to buy for the entire group to eat and enjoy.

Please, people, make a list, take no more than two people grocery shopping, be considerate - you are not the only one living in the world, park buggies to one side of the isle (not in the middle and not staggard with the other buggies on your isle blocking all foot and buggy traffic), and take notice of other shoppers whom you are blocking.

Now, if only the rude, self-centered people were reading SoWal.com. I know that on SoWal, I am preaching to the exceptions.;-)

FYI- If you need only beer, milk, and eggs when you go shopping on Spring Break, you are probably in college or high school.

That's what the cashier at Publix said.

Where is this Publix?

If you thought Publix was busy last night, you should go people watching (not grocery shopping) at Publx on Sat evening about 4-5pm. Now that is crazy. The problem isn't so much that many people are there shopping (although it is a problem), but that so many people are inconsiderate and stop there buggies in the middle of the isles along with all of the people who came with them to the beach. Picture 5-6 people in groups down each and every isle blocking the way with a dazed look on their faces, wondering what groceries to buy for the entire group to eat and enjoy.

Please, people, make a list, take no more than two people grocery shopping, be considerate - you are not the only one living in the world, park buggies to one side of the isle (not in the middle and not staggard with the other buggies on your isle blocking all foot and buggy traffic), and take notice of other shoppers whom you are blocking.

Totally with you SJ. One of my big pet peeves is people taking the whole family (with little kids running all over) shopping anywhere to places like Target or Publix. If you don't know what kind of cereal your spouse likes, then you are in big trouble. Cell phones -- for last minute list updates -- are a big help with this, even if people do have steering problems while trying to talk and push the cart at the same time. There is NOTHING worse than someone stopping the cart in the middle of the aisle to "ponder" a label.

Alas, I think here you are preaching to the choir! I think a lot of people who are on vacation just have that dreaded "vacation mentality."

Maybe it would help people get in and out of Publix faster if they knew the layout.

Maybe it would help people get in and out of Publix faster if they knew the layout.

OMG, that is great , although it took me a moment to figure it out, and I shop there 2-3 times per week.

I have learned not to expect greatness from the tourists, but I do expect decent (at least half-way decent) behavior.

FYI- just because you own a second home, or rent a second home at the beach, it does not keep you from bruising when you dart out from behind a parked car onto 30-A, esp when you are not in a crosswalk, and when you are on a bicycle.

Fyi- When on the road, a bicycle is supposed to follow the rules of the road, not the rules of a pedistrian. ;-)

I think I am going to Alaska for a few weeks. ...Naaa, it's too cold up there.

This is a pdf from an Excel spreadsheet that I use to type in my grocery list. That way I don't end up going up and down every aisle repeatedly. Saves me a lot of time.

Hate to tell you, but it's not going to let up for a while. Midwest schools break for the spring in early April, and I know my Atlanta brother is looking at the same time frame for his kids.

Merman and I are coming down in April and most definitely will be making lots of Publix runs. So will Sueshore. I promise if Miss Kitty and I go shopping together, we will be considerate. ;-)

I know they will be around for another few weeks, but this week is the busiest of all the Spr Brk weeks. If I can just make it through this week, all will be good. I promise to breathe and try to relax, not intentionally running over anyone or bi-atch slapping any strangers. (did I type that?)

I promise to breathe and try to relax, not intentionally running over anyone or bi-atch slapping any strangers. (did I type that?)

OH, MY...are we in a bad mood or what? Just kidding. I can only imagine what it must be like for those of you who are lucky enough to live in SoWal. The quietness of the winter and then BAM, all the tourists coming in. I know it must be frustrating for you. However, you still got that beautiful beach. Stroll on down there and drink you a guiness and chill....that is what I would do.

OH, MY...are we in a bad mood or what? Just kidding. I can only imagine what it must be like for those of you who are lucky enough to live in SoWal. The quietness of the winter and then BAM, all the tourists coming in. I know it must be frustrating for you. However, you still got that beautiful beach. Stroll on down there and drink you a guiness and chill....that is what I would do.

Oh, considering the alternative places to live year round, it ain't so bad, really. Typically, only a few people piss me off, and stilll it is many less than would p___ me off daily if I had to drive to work on I-285. I do have to remember to breathe, but I do not recall ever coming close to biatch slapping anyone, just talking like a pimp. :funn:

We live in a "cyclical" town too because it's a university town. Every late August a few hundred thousand students come to town, many new to college which has its challenges. They leave again in April and the town gets very quiet. It's very different when the students are here (for example, I warn the kids in late August to be VERY careful crossing the streets especially at this time because there are young drivers on the road, more drinkers on the road, more people who don't know the area, etc.). But I always remind myself that my job and the economy of the area depends on the students, the area is richer in many ways because they are here (more restaurants, theaters, etc.), and most are very thoughtful. It's really a very small number of people who give the group a bad name.

During the school year, I just plan my travels around student life -- e.g., don't drive anywhere on football Saturdays, go shopping when students are still sleeping, eat at the restaurants that are least crowded, etc.

every year at this time, i consider geting a bike and locking it at watercolor, and riding into seaside from there. 30a is unnavigable during height of spring break, as is 98.

jr

Oh, considering the alternative places to live year round, it ain't so bad, really. Typically, only a few people piss me off, and stilll it is many less than would p___ me off daily if I had to drive to work on I-285. I do have to remember to breathe, but I do not recall ever coming close to biatch slapping anyone, just talking like a pimp. :funn:

SJ, you and my parents have the same beef. They live in Naples all year round and have to deal with all the snowbirds who come for the "season." My mother is ready to scream! It takes her forever to get to the grocery now.

I think high seasons are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you're glad for all the money the tourists are pumping into the local economy. And the hustle and bustle they generate is energizing. I guess you have to look at it that the majority are wonderful people who arrive in good moods and stay in good moods because they're partaking of SoWal paradise. The remainder--the ones who make you cringe--well, odds are they're that way in their hometowns, too. You have to deal with them only for a week or so (see, there is mercy in this world!).

I've been driving around SoWal so far, but we're thinking of getting 4 bikes for the family (I think Mermaid and Merman are bikers). It will be very useful at times like these. And then we wouldn't plan to go very far -- just within a mile or two of the cottages. We'd have a "busy season" vacation plan and a "slow season" vacation plan and figure out how to make both seem equally enjoyable.

I've been driving around SoWal so far, but we're thinking of getting 4 bikes for the family (I think Mermaid and Merman are bikers). It will be very useful at times like these. And then we wouldn't plan to go very far -- just within a mile or two of the cottages. We'd have a "busy season" vacation plan and a "slow season" vacation plan and figure out how to make both seem equally enjoyable.

That we are! We do exactly what John R does--cut through Watercolor, even though it's definitely longer--because getting from our place near Seagrove Plaza over to Grayton is miserable in the busy season. Seaside is so congested! You have to watch for other cyclists, dawdling walkers, strollers...augh. It's easier to cycle the scenic route through the back roads of Watercolor.

I think bikes are a great way to get around. I've just bought a nifty little hot pink backpack for those impromptu cycling shopping expeditions. Lili Pulitzer won't know what hit 'em. :roll:

every year at this time, i consider geting a bike and locking it at watercolor, and riding into seaside from there. 30a is unnavigable during height of spring break, as is 98.

jr

Yeah, just wait till the scooter rentals start. You will scooters zooming between the gridlocked cars. And of course the obligatory folks walking across 30A at Seaside who feel pedestrians have the right of way at all times, in all circumstances (especially after consuming booze).

Sueshore, thanks for the navigation guide to Publix! I am always getting lost in there. And it is truly a Southern map...I love the soft drink section that is simply labeled "Cokes." I am going to place copies of this in our beach house.

SJ, I feel your pain about the Publix cart traffic. People just stand in the middle of the aisle turning in circles or talking on their cells. One day, I stood at the deli counter for a good 10 minutes while a vacationing couple sampled just about every lunch meat and cheese in the case, the server looking over their shoulders straight at me. The deli workers definitely need better training about their selection of products and how to serve. Did they ever get one of those number dispensers? Badly needed in a store that large.

The worst place on earth for rude grocery-goers has to be Scottsdale, AZ. You know all those old people in FL? Well, their grandparents live in Scottsdale, AZ. They will muscle their carts right in front of yours in the counter line, looking you dead in the eye the entire time. Don't ask what happens if you take issue with this behavior. It's not worth it, believe me.

Well, it is awfully nice to have Publix so close and they do have a wonderful selection of items at very reasonable prices. Our local market is like a bar scene during "peak hour," too. It is not a place to dash in-and-out. But it is a nice reminder of what is special about living in a small town.

Donna, it was Beach Runner who found the navigation guide. She always finds good things on the computer. Great idea of yours to include it in the rental info--I know I have plans on using that map myself!!! We should all have copies printed out on index cards for our renters to tuck in their bags. :funn:

Yeah, just wait till the scooter rentals start. You will scooters zooming between the gridlocked cars. And of course the obligatory folks walking across 30A at Seaside who feel pedestrians have the right of way at all times, in all circumstances (especially after consuming booze).

Too late, the scooter/electric vehicle rental store has already opened on 30A.

Donna, it was Beach Runner who found the navigation guide. She always finds good things on the computer. Great idea of yours to include it in the rental info--I know I have plans on using that map myself!!! We should all have copies printed out on index cards for our renters to tuck in their bags. :funn:

Girls, BR didn't find it, she made the map, and it's probably worth the time to make it if she shops there during high season.

I created the guide to spend as little time at the grocery store as possible . It's actually an Excel spreadsheet that I type my list into (I turned it into a pdf for my website because not everyone has Excel). It doesn't have many rows. There's usually just two of us, so we don't buy a whole lot at the store.

I have a shortcut to it on the desktop of the computer at the beach so that our guests can use it.

Hey, Donna, don't tease me about the Cokes. I have finally converted my Yankee husband so that now he, too, refers to all soft drinks as Cokes, as opposed to "pop" when I first met him. The first time he used that term in front of me, I asked him what the heck is a pop?

It's a tad bit off for the seagrove Publix. Can you email me the Excel spreadsheet? info at SoWal.com ;-)

It's a tad bit off for the seagrove Publix. Can you email me the Excel spreadsheet? info at SoWal.com ;-)

Yeah, I think the produce area isn't configured properly. But it's close enough to keep me from going down any aisle twice - or, that is, it was when I first typed it.

Thanks for the editorial advice. I'll email it to you.