*Culture Shock

 

5/2025 and counting

No Bullet Proof Glass!

and ree,ber to provide the parking lot video

Upon returning to the Chi from Lake County, I was face with the Cook County Bag tax that was implemented 2017. Chicago businesses would charge .07 per shopping bag upon check out. The policy is to promote reusable bags that could maintain or improve the environment. 

Having no car, I have been one who has kept my travel local. I frequent Family Dollar, Dollar tree, City Trends, and the Beauty Supply stores.  

So, upon check-out at the Dollar Tree I am asked,

"You wanna Bag?"

"Hmm, what, the bag doesn't come with the merchandise?"

She did a hard sigh due to having to explain this new policy for the 1000th time.   

"There's the cost of a bag is 7-cents."  

 "You don't say?" 

anyway, after hearing this question being pose after every purchase one would become nnoyed to start bringing their own bag.

and if your looking to save money - that 7 cents begin to mean alot. 

dont act like 7cent does matter.  7 cents is worth alot (or less) in some countries.  (research)

the cashier would ask theres this now it turn into some moment of disappointment.

"Do you want a bag?" 

Dang it! Either you left the bags in the car, and you don't want to hold up the line, and too lazy to go fetch them, so you consider not worth the trouble, try again. because you visualized them at home purposely hanging on the front doorknob as a reminder to being them with you. 

Now we now have one more essential to carry in our back packs, bags, and purses.

back to the cashier. So, when they ask, "do you wanna bag?" I answer that question with attitude.

"Nope, I brought my own." 

I realize that some of that stuff could fit in my designer bag. Yes, I put that Dooney to work, baby. 

returning to the city (Chicago) I had to re familiarized with survival skills. being aware of my surroundings. Looking over my shoulders. Clutching my bag. 

getting used to hearing sirens all day. the long walks to the stores, (I don't have a car). living in a food desert, there are more fast-food restaurants in the hood than there are grocery stores. 

There aren't too many places in the hood to sit and eat none other than Mc Donald's and Popeyes. Now a days we have our food delivered to us. 

And besides delivered to your car we prefer to our house. But what I can't stand is ordering my food through bullet proof glass.

Oooh how I can't stand it! These 2 inches thick, filthy looking glass that I'm ordering food through now turns my appetite.

"I would like three-piece dinner with mild sauce.!

"A three piece what - chicken or fish?"

"fish!" 

"what kind of sauce?" 

"mild sauce."

"hot sauce?"

"No hot sauce!"

she places the number on the swivel. and you stay close to hear your number.

thats when i start noticing shit in the waiting room.  the floors arent swept. the wall decor is the menu. and i notice the over price dessert in the cooler.  shit i can make that.

there are restaraunts all along this strip and every one has bullet proof glass. 

i would exempt the drive-through but too many times i have checked my bag to realized they forgot my onion rings. that extra order of fries were not included.  and dwhat do you.  you call to complain, but is it worth going back for that fry? for that onion ring? or to redeem your free whatever just mention the manager's name?

so there. i was told i would need to change my demographic to get good customer service to enjoy a fast food meal. tht may be true until i find a place that is worth my money.  

the pandemic has contributed to our cullinary skills in recipe creation.  we have more cooking shows now on television.  and you tube have taking the foodie to another level.  it is my guess that during the pandemic we have devolpe more food combinations with ready to eat stuff -  I speculate recipe creation was either a unconscious effort to eat whatever that is readily availble? or because we were under the influence?

to eat whats readily availble is motivated by survival meals beans and gruel. but under the influence meals are like a chicken frito lay wrap drenched with nach cheese; oh and cheeto macoroni cheese.

i mean do you think peanut butter and jelly was deliberately made? some body was under the influence and was super hungry. and to their surprise it pbj became one of the best damn sandwiches next to grill cheese.

ok i digress. But no more bullet proof glass! ill cook first. 

and who would want eat from a place that cant keep the outside of the business clean?

insert trashy parking lot video

 

i know people who would drive twenty miles to save 20 cents per gallon of gas.