So many choices.
Barb Roether | Contributor
I thought that once you reach your golden years, life would get simpler. No more car pools, no worrying about college costs, no more punching the time clock. But I have quickly realized that this is a new world in many unexpected ways.
The new technology is wonderful, and I feel honored that I am able to be part of it with my computer and my BlackBerry. I can Twitter and I have many Facebook friends. Who knew when I was watching Howdy Doody in the 1950s that I would have so much still to conquer in the new century.
The greatest frustration I suffer from these days is going shopping for groceries. You know I really enjoy shopping — I love getting the good deal. I just don't like all the choices.
My husband has a favorite brand of crackers. He has eaten these same kind of crackers for more than 30 years. So what is so hard about shopping for crackers? Well, now the manufacturer offers much more than simply its original whole grain flavor. The crackers come in Reduced Fat, Cracked Pepper, Rosmary Olive Oil, Garden Herb, Deli Style Rye, Roasted Garlic, Parmesan Garlic Thin Crisps and Quattro Formaggio.
No more simply buzzing down the aisles, grabbing what I need, and getting out. Now I have to focus and analyze.
Remember those goldfish crackers we gave our kids in the 1970s? They were just these cute little fish-shaped, orange-colored crackers. Now they come in whole grain, garden cheddar, baked, sour cream and onion, racing ranch, extra cheesy pizza and cheddar. And those are just the salted ones. You can also choose s'mores flavor, honey graham, chocolate grahams and vanilla cinnamon. These choices take up four shelves, as do the crackers I mentioned earlier.
Four rows of confusion.
Barb Roether | Contributor
Who knew that my golden years would be taken up with so many choices. Even the toilet paper comes with a challenge. Do I want 12 double rolls that equal 24 regular rolls? Do I want ultra strong, ultra soft, ultra plush?
By the time I get to the paper towels, I am a wreck. What size should I choose? There are rolls labeled big, mega, jumbo, soft on nature, garden prints, fun prints and modern prints. I never was one that that matched my paper towels, napkins or toilet paper to my home decor. One package of paper towels was even labeled "6 big rolls equals 8 regular rolls." Is this new math?
I wonder if you also suffer from this thing called too many choices? Somehow raising teenagers doesn't seem so awful. Even keeping up with the new technology is easier.
Let me know your shopping challenges in the comments below while I try to figure out what laundry detergent to buy. My high-energy washer just doesn't do well with regular Tide with Violet softener in it. There is even a new formula for people who exercise a lot. Where do I begin?
Barb Roether is an Ann Arbor resident who spent her career working in retail, including many years as a personal shopper, and blogs about shopping for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Sunday
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 10:52 p.m.
I love the way you have spelled out my every day shopping dilemmas; funny, you sound far less neurotic than I feel. I like to have choice A or choice B, what I buy the wrong crackers and I dont like them? I dont need all of that pressure. That is why if I can get away with it I send the hubby the grocery store. (I just have to be careful, because hr NEVER checks the sell by dates on any thing! Whats the difference?)
bobr
Thu, Sep 16, 2010 : 5:40 a.m.
Very interesting story. Sometimes simpler is better.
Dylan
Mon, Sep 13, 2010 : 10:25 p.m.
In Namibia for the Peace Corps, the grocery stores had very few options. If you went to the bigger towns you could find variety, but it was more on the order of brands than options-within-brands. Returning to the U.S. the "glut of choice" was one of the biggest culture shocks. For the first few months back it brought our shopping to a crippling standstill. Three years later, I still struggle at places like Meijer that could fit an entire third-world grocery store into the frozen foods section. I gravitate now to the smaller stores like the Coop and Plum Market, not just for the typical reasons of supporting local/organic/etc., but because it feels more comfortable, easier. And having experienced both extremes, I honestly prefer it that way. There are times when indulging in some new flavor is fun and worthwhile, but there is also joy to be found within limits and absences. Maybe some people love browsing the isles the same way some love channel surfing through the now hundreds of options. I'd just rather spend that time elsewhere.