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I have got to tell you; my experience yesterday made me realize how ignorant the American public is; really, really, stupid.
Here is what happened. At approximately three p.m. yesterday afternoon, an electrical fire started in the deli area of our grocery store.
The fire alarm sounded, all electrical equipment shut down and each employee attempted to direct their customers to the fire exits. Those customers moving buggies through the store continued to shop. Those at the quick scan continued to try to scan their items and those in conversation continued to talk to one another or on their cell phones.
As they were told specifically to leave, many said "no". The fire was on the other end of the store and they needed their groceries. Those on the self scanners said they were almost finished and we needed to turn the computers back on so they could buy their goods before they left. One lady said she thought it was a joke. That to do so would have been a federal offense punishable by prison sentence of five years did not occur to her.
But that was not all, no sirree!
Finally all customers were hustled out. The fire departments five trucks and one fire rescue vehicle arrived within ten minutes. So did two squad cars. All employees stood shivering in the cold, some with and some without winter coats.
As we stood there, trying to learn what was burning and how long we would be asked to stand in the cold, potential customers began arriving, ignoring the emergency scene and all the emergency vehicles.They attempted to wend their way through the many employees and enter the store.
We were forced to approach them, one and all and enlighten them. Some said they did not "see" the fire equipment. Some thought the entire cities fire staff was there for a "pot luck" being held for store employees. Some just did not care. They needed things that only we could supply, and by golly, they were going to get them.
I could not believe the ignorance, the pure level of stupidity that these people showed. And these are not street people, They are not ignorant, unschooled, troublemakers. They were not young, smart alecks. These were and are teachers, business men, nurses, and supposedly intelligent people.
They could have died. Had our staff not forced these people to leave, they would have died of smoke inhalation, or at the least have had heart difficulties and assorted other health issues.
So, I ask you, would you have kept shopping when someone yelled "fire" and the fire alarm sounded?
God! I love America.
