You're Welcome to Take a Little

I'm wondering: just what exactly is an "express line" in a store? I'm curious because my definition appears to be different from Wal-Mart's. There were 2 or 3 lines that posted a sign that read, "Express line: 20 items or less". Does that mean 20 items counting by one's, two's, or even ten's maybe? Without a doubt, the couple in front of me was at least counting my 3's. It seemed that both "express lines" were having the same problem. I saw other couples that must have had 40+ items in their basket (perhaps they were counting 20 each). What can Wal-Mart do about this problem? Nothing, I suspect, because any action would probably make the customers leave their items and never return to the store. I had only one small item and it took me more than 30 minutes to check out. No one apologized; no one showed any concern for the "legal" customers. I know there is no need to get bent out of shape over things like this and I really didn't; yet, I believe that we should adhere to the guidelines of the stores.

I'm also hearing that Wal-Mart has publicly announced that it will no longer arrest any shoplifters who steal less than $25 - $50 worth of merchandise. This bothers me. I wonder, who will pay for these "small" thefts? Honest shoppers like you and me? I realize that it costs the stores a lot to charge someone but right is right. Will this announcement cause more people who are basically honest to "take" a small amount knowing they can actually get away with it? It sounds like an invitation to me: you're welcome to take a little. Maybe you should take a calculator with you to make sure you stay "legal". I pray that people's conscious will cause them to stay honest. I have heard, also, that some of the larger stores do play tapes which you don't realize you are hearing, subliminal recordings, telling customers to be honest. I wonder if they work better than the "quit smoking" tapes.