proving that i can complain about things other than pregnancy

Still here, friends. Still pregnant. I'd much rather talk about cilantro though.

For the last nineteen days the American grocery store, the cheap grocery store, has been out of cilantro. I know this because I have gone almost every one of those days to check on the status. Nothing. The Japanese grocery stores don't carry it and, worst of all,  I cannot make posole without it. Frankly I'm just not accustomed to this lack of choice. It's my red, white and blue right, right?

The American within me is pounding her fists against such injustice. She says things like:

What do you mean I don't have the option to take my business elsewhere?

This is a monopoly and that's illegal and I'll sue you!

My incessant complaining about the cilantro debacle in combination with my never-ending pregnancy prompted Joe to plant some cilantro seeds. Indeed that was a clever and thoughtful way to get a respite from my jabbering. And while nothing has sprouted since the implantation two days ago, my hope has been restored. I just may have cilantro again. Viva El Cilantro!

The case of the missing cilantro is not my only concern with the American grocery store. By concern I mean complaint but I'm trying to give the impression that I do things other than complain. But lately that's not true. I digress.

There's a tipping racket abrew at the American grocery store which is made all the more remarkable in a country where tipping just doesn't happen. And the Japanese customer service sans tipping is some of the finest around. Among a long list of Japanese things I'd like to import to the U.S.A.customer service lingers in the top five along with convenience store onigiri. If you have designs on visiting these parts do stick customer service in the PRO column.

So after your groceries get bagged they immediately get transferred to the bagger's cart which is not your cart which means that you are not at liberty to push your own cart out to your car and unload your groceries for free. Instead the bagger and his cart follow you and do what you could have done except now it's not free. If it's not an option to have my groceries carried for me then doesn't it follow suit that I shouldn't have to tip for that service? In the store there are several prominent signs learning you that these baggers work for tips. I didn't hire these folks and I don't have a choice about partaking in their service yet I am responsible for their wages?

Another injustice, I tell you. The American in me feels betrayed.

Comments

[Lissi]

If it makes you feel any better, our Publix never has fresh cilantro! I even spoke to the produce guy one day and he lied to me and said they'd start ordering it....this was over 2 years ago. All I can get from them is prepackaged cilantro that has no taste and absolutely no cilantro smell....it's useless.

That's crazy about the cart guys. There are signs all over the place here saying they don't take tips, but I never like to have them help me because I know they are expecting a tip. Very uncomfortable.

Sorry.

[Sarcasmoom]

When I visited Japan I was blown away by the customer service in Japanese stores,and on the amazing train system and anywhere else I encountered it. I did also witness the forced tipping at the AAFEES on base. It was made even stranger I thought becuase the people working there were largely not American so the tipping thing seemed really out of step.I was told it was sort of a payback to the locals for allowing the Americans to be there doing business.

[Marie]

Crazy crazy! Good for Joe, growing his own. I'd send you some, but it might be a little wilty by the time you get it. There's nothing like fresh cilantro... and of course you know that. In a pinch can your recipe be made with dried herb?

Forced grocery-delivery-to-car that requires tipping?!? Egads. I'm all about great customer service, but sheesh. That's tooo much. I used the Helping Hands at Wegmans regularly at the end of my pregnancy, and I didn't know the tipping etiquette. I didn't tip. I feel guilty!!!

[LadyBug Crossing]

I hate tip jars!
Why is it my job to tip the lady at the coffee shop? Isn't it her job to give me coffee? Ditto at the deli, the florist, the convenience store....
LBC

[Raehan]

I have a lot I want to say in response to this post, but I keep getting pulled away because I am cooking a huge-o-mongo meal, using what else? Cilantro!

Fajitas, salsa, key lime pie. Yum.

I'll be back.

[jozet]

Ciltantro!

Is there something about pregnancy and craving cilantro? I could, quite literally, eat it by the handful.

7 more weeks to go here. I'm feeling decidedly cranky.

[Heidi]

I took a week's vacation and was unable to log -on the entire trip. I thought for sure I'd come back to pictures of your wee lad. But, alas there are none. That's a good sign...perhaps your body is holding out for your preferred birth. Hence the reason sir Henry must cook a bit longer.

Sad to hear about the lack of cilantro...not sure what we'd do without it in this house.

My husband (the cook) just read that last sentence and said we'd use "coriander in a jar and grind it ourselves."

Two thumbs up for Steely Dad's gardening.

[anne]

Cilantro is gross.

I argued with a guard at the Metropolitan Museum that the $8 "donation" he was requiring of me before I was allowed to enter the museum was not really a donation if it was required. I don't think we saw eye to eye. I was 20 and righteous, but he was large and had a gun and stood between me and all the pretty pictures. He won: my desire to see beat my desire to be right. I gave it to him all in coins, so I felt a little better about losing, but man. It's not the price so much as the terminology, right? If they'd say, "You must pay for the required carting to your car," then it would be less icky than when they call it a "tip" and yet require it.

[UT]

My pregnant sis....

I have to agree with your assessment of the food situation 100%. I did love those little onigiri numbers. I still think some mornings how nice one of those would fit in my growling belly. Yummies!!!

As for the cliantro situation, I think my crafty B-I-L came up with the best solution. That commissary of yours is lacking in ways that wholly transcend the cilantro issue. I've never seen a place that is so fortified and disappointing at the same time. I wish I could grant you a genie wish of a full day here in the State College Wegman's as a pregnancy gift. And I will even abide by your desire to park in the "with child" parking space.

Lots of love from the un-grocery store challenged brother of yours
UT

[alison]

OMG - Onigiri! I love it, I've told my husband about it so many times. I want to import the idea to the US! Good luck with your cilantro, don't over water, we killed ours that way, whoops!

[Old Horsetail Snake]

Pretend to be white Japanese. Tell 'em you don't believe in tipping.

[Raehan]

No you are NOT stilll pregnant!

Congratulations to a beautiful mama for a beautiful baby.

Eli looks so small and sweet snuggling with you two in the bed.

Wonderful!

[Kathy]

Eli and Henry look beautiful, but not nearly as gorgeous as Mom. Wow. You did good, again.

[Marie]

Congratulations Meredith! You all look wonderful. Two sweet baby boys... Hooray!

[Melody]

Henry is here? Yipeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

[Mrs. S]

Oooh!!! Congratulations!!! Hope you are all happy and feeling well! (or, as well as you can at this point)!

[Heidi]

Congrats on Henry's arrival! Looks like he made the cut for Gemini. Can't wait to see pics of the new member of your super-duper family!

[buy ultram online]

congratulation on your family. Keep it up!