The Autonomic Response at Costco

An autonomic response is one that happens involuntarily or automatically.  Two weeks ago, I talked about such a response that happens to most of us in Costco.  And this response is so revealing about our underlying sense of hurriedness in life. I said,

Think about what happens when you step into Costco or the grocery store. You come to the checkout and you scan the lines. You look automatically for the shortest line.  After choosing one and settling into the line,  you mentally watch a person who comes up seconds after you and chooses a different line. And then the race begins. You are watching their place in the line and your place in the line with the hope that you have chosen wisely. If they get through first, then you are bummed that your line has “taken so long.” And you might even have a grudge at this point with the worker who is scanning items. And heaven forbid if someone has to run for a price check. We are like, give them the item for free… just keep this line moving.

A friend of mine, Libby, emailed me with her own observations about when to go to Costco.  Thanks Libby for this perspective from a mom with young kids. She said,

I just wanted to point out to you that no longer do I compare if I have chosen well. I know I have. My many years of Costco shopping with screaming kids caused me to do a bit of research. I started timing and charting the different checkers and tabulating who was sucking up my precious time. Here is what I learned in my research:

• Do not get in line with a new checker who you have never seen before. Newbies are no good!

• Do not get in a line where the checker is making conversation with the shopper. The Russian man is capable of talking and checking but the rest of them are not. Especially stay away from the women who do this!

• Anyone wearing a red vest is a quality checker and their sole purpose is to lessen the lines. Go with them even if the person in front of you has a full basket.

• Finally, go to Costco during dinner time or cocktail hour. People are not there and the lines are short. Never go on the weekend just pay more and go to Cash & Carry!

And there you go.  It seems inbred within us to save time.  With our Easter focus called Recapture Easter, I’m asking “save time for what?”  I know I am compelled to save time, but I stand quite convinced that often times I’m saving time for things that don’t register as very important.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12