Shopping Cart Management

We live life according to our own cultural programing, applying our own "rational perspective" to the events that take place around us. Karen and I have been here in Asunción for just about three years and I still find myself wondering, "What in the world just took place? or Why in the world did that person do that?" Frequently the truth of the matter is that I'm viewing the Paraguayan from my programmed perception of how things "should" be.

One such thing, which is really quite simple and non-consequential is shopping cart management at the grocery store. I first noticed this in Costa Rica, and I've experienced it in Argentina and Brazil, so I assume that it is a Latin practice. In the grocery line at the super market you must leave the cart in the line and not take it all the way through to the other side of the cash register. At first this was peculiar and sometimes a bit annoying. For example, if there is a line of 10 people behind you, everyone must back up 3 feet in order to pull out the empty cart; then they will move forward again 3 feet and repeat the process until it is their turn to pay. "Just take your cart through the line, it will be much more efficient" is what was going through my mind and being stated out loud in the privacy of the car to my wife (who didn't think it was a BIG deal).

Maybe Latin super market management looks at this way: If everyone was permitted to take the cart through to the other side they would all take their own groceries to their cars or to their homes in the cart. This would cause quite the disaster in the parking lot with unattended carts (as Americans we've all experienced this) and many of the carts would go missing because the people would take them home.

The Paraguayan grocery clerk I'm sure sees it this way: If everyone was permitted to use the carts on the other side of the register they would have no need for me. I would be dispensable and would lose the money earned from the tips (typically the tip would be equivalent to about 20¢).

I'm not certain if the above reasons are valid. I'm sure the situation and my reasons aren't going to bring about change in your life. But this gives you an idea of what we as missionaries experience. We recognize the differences in the culture, (try to) hold off on judgment and attempt to become part of the host culture while remaining faithful and vocal about the message we have committed ourselves to bringing.

Thanks for your prayers and support. We are TEAM!