Winco

Wednesday, August 09, 2023

I surprised myself by shopping at the grocery store, Winco, and interacting with former coworkers.

I quit my cashiering job there almost a year ago without giving the store appropriate notice. It turned out that I had disappointed myself by leaving abruptly, regardless of my reasons. Since leaving, I’ve not gone there to shop and say hello to friends.

Days ago, a chance meeting in a Home Depot aisle with Stacy, one of my former coworkers at Winco, propped open the blockage in my head. Deciding to shop at Winco turned out to be fun.

Contrary to my expectations of being disliked for having jumped ship and now a forgotten person, former coworkers recognized me. We chatted and got up to date. A change has eased the cashiering work there, as now the store provides handheld scanners. When I worked there, my job often required me to heave and scan cumbersome items. That was during the pandemic, and the discount grocery was incredibly busy. My nonstop and often difficult work became a dislike.

The store’s management styles, too, were very disappointing, but it was my too-hard job that became a core driver for leaving.

Today, I’m happier for having returned and renewed some acquaintances. In the future, I will shop in the store. It’s part of a large and growing grocery chain and a very economical source for shoppers.

Dear Friends: Recognizing and overcoming self-anger lets a person be better. Diana