Dear Publix

Dear Publix,

Can you put up live webcams on your parking lots? I would like to know when it's safe to go and not too crowded with packs of frat boys and sorority girls socializing in the aisles in the spring. In the summer I'd like to avoid families of 12 who can't yet check in so everyone comes in to your fabulous store and need 3 or 4 carts full of goods. And in the winter I would like to avoid the zombie shuffle of snowbirds who use your carts as walkers, or block 2 aisles at once in your electric shopping-not-street-legal vehicles.

LOL. Great idea!

They also need to put a map of the store at the entrance so a customer knows what's on each aisle (like I have published on sowal.com/bb many times). That way the newbies don't zig-zag through the store and go down every aisle twice to find what they want. That will get them out of there twice as fast. BTW Publix does provide store directions, but they are in alphabetical order. HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW WHO SHOP IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER? I mean, I'm not even that OCD (and it is clear from my flesh-eating bacteria thread that I am OCD ;-)).

That being said, without fail, when I even begin to appear as though I can't find something, a Publix employee will miraculously appear and, not just tell me where it is, but escort me to it. That's excellent service!

I think this is a great idea and can we get one at the corner of 331/98 while we are at it? It would be a big help when I am trying to decide if I should even TRY to get on 98 heading west.

Maybe one on top of "balance" health studio on 30A so we could see how bad the traffic is on 30A westbound near 395.

I love the way locals hate tourists, but if the tourists didn't come the locals wouldn't have jobs,

Sounds like you need to go live on an island and grow your own food. Come on people, you live in one of the most beautiful places in this country!

Totally agree with you Rick! Whiners and complainers who wouldn't be able to live there without all the money the people from elsewhere come and spend!

You can reduce any grocery shopping stress by about 80% if you can avoid the store between 11:00am and 9:00pm on Saturdays from May 15 through Labor Day weekend.

Friday nights are good if you hit the store after they're started to restock for the hordes; Sunday mornings aren't bad but can be a little picked over in some categories.

If it weren't for tourists, the amenities such as great restaurants, places to shop, etc., wouldn't be in South Walton because the owners couldn't afford to stay in business without the spring break and the summer rental seasons.

On the other hand, without the tourists, cost of renting/owning a business space on 30-A would be significantly less than it is now, something that would help keep a lot of those businesses in the black, even with lower raw dollars coming into the business.

Not everyone in Sowal is dependent on the turdist cash cow. I personally wouldn't miss any of them if they vanished....

Stating that, just because you're on vacation doesn't give you royal rights to do as you please. Courtesy and consideration for others should be given REGARDLESS of your holiday status.

Most turdist are very well behaved and polite, but there are a few of them that think their poop don't stink. For those, I would be happy to provide them maps and a swift kick to Galveston and their beaches....

There is no excuse for people behaving badly but most people visiting are just like you and I. To enjoy the area and treat it with respect. Stores will be busy at certain hours and anyone who is not narrow minded can shop in comfort at off times. 30A is not owned by "a chosen few locals" although I see that mindset by people born in the area and once prior visitors buy property with money earned elsewhere and become locals.

I hated that I HAD to go to Publix yesterday. It was the worst shopping experience there ever! Even the staff was bad.

A tourist stole my cheese at the deli!!!!!!!!

So BMB may have it's own beach grocery. Y'all better support it!! ))

Not everyone in Sowal is dependent on the turdist cash cow. I personally wouldn't miss any of them if they vanished....

Stating that, just because you're on vacation doesn't give you royal rights to do as you please. Courtesy and consideration for others should be given REGARDLESS of your holiday status.

Most turdist are very well behaved and polite, but there are a few of them that think their poop don't stink. For those, I would be happy to provide them maps and a swift kick to Galveston and their beaches....

I find it a little difficult to take your comments seriously regarding courtesy and consideration when you equate visitors with fecal matter. I presume you are not suggesting that we follow you as an example of how to be polite.

I find it a little difficult to take your comments seriously regarding courtesy and consideration when you equate visitors with fecal matter. I presume you are not suggesting that we follow you as an example of how to be polite.

lighten up Jolau....geesh.. Two whole posts and your an authority on me. LOL... You must be one of those turdist that I was talking about. Don't like it....Go back to the big city....

Slow down....

lighten up Jolau....geesh.. Two whole posts and your an authority on me. LOL... You must be one of those turdist that I was talking about. Don't like it....Go back to the big city....

Thank you for specifically referring to me as fecal matter based upon my number of posts. I believe you have proven my point. I do not profess to be an authority on you, as I don't know you beyond the post on which I commented. This isn't about one needing to "lighten" up. It is simply about common decency in terms of how you have chosen to refer to an entire "class" of people, some of, if not most, you do not know.

As for the bigger picture, when I first came to the area approximately 30 years ago as a 15 year old who was hired by Bob and Linda White, who started Sun Dog Books, to move them from Jackson. MS, everything was still quite and comparatively speaking, crowd free. Over the last thirty years, the people who own the property have opted, good, bad or indifferent, to create, allow and facilitate the "growth" that has occurred. While this does not included every property owner (in the interest of full disclosure, I am not one - I'm simply a "turdist" as you so eloquently pointed out) it includes enough that this is where things are now as no one was forced to give up their property to accommodate the needs and or wishes of not like minded people.

So, what do you do? For starters, existing laws and ordinances ought to be enforced (golf carts, cyclist, vehicles, pedestrians, beach ordinances, etc.) irrespective of who you are or where you reside. This would eliminate so much of the behavior that is problematic. Locals, as hard as it may be having to deal with the negatives that come with choosing to live in a place where thousands of people choose to vacation, need to continuously set the example of how one should behave, honor and enjoy such a beautifully unique place. When it is all said and done, you have three choices: (1) stay, continue to be bitter, negative and ok with referring to people as fecal matter, (2) stay and take the high road and enjoy to the fullest extent possible that you are lucky enough to be somewhere so wonderful full time or (3) leave (seems like a harsh option, one that I do not suggest).

In the meantime, I'm going to keep coming and enjoying the entire area and all that it has to offer. Perhaps I might even be lucky enough to bump into you one day and we can have a beer or two and give you the opportunity to see how much of a "turdist" I really am or not.

lighten up Jolau....geesh.. Two whole posts and your an authority on me. LOL... You must be one of those turdist that I was talking about. Don't like it....Go back to the big city....

Be careful Jolau there are a lot of Arkiehawg's on this site that find satisfaction in demeaning people rather than providing intellectual ( Arkiehawg ??!!) conversation. And we have a forum topic that bashes a grocery store! Come on!

This forum has its share of jokesters and for sure the original post is tongue in cheek but also with a dash of truth. Locals are always a little crazy at summers end. Cameras at pubilx would be very helpful for all to even out the shopping volume.

The over sensitivity and over reaction to silly posts are a bigger problem than any imaginary tourist bashhing. Lighten up Francis! I certainly don't see any "hate". Just ribbing.

Tourist - people who come to south walton to relax, have a good time, and spend money.
Turdist/touron/mother$%^#@ - people who come to south walton and act a fool.

P.S. The constant mind set that all locals are totally and completely dependent on tourist dollars as though we are junkies who need a fix is a little more offensive than some of the pro-tourist tongue-in-cheek crap posted here.

I think some people think of this place as "paradise".... until they meet the locals, come in contact with the wildlife or have a rowdy "neighbor" renting the house next to them. And all I have to say to that is ...PCB is a few miles to the east ,Destin a few miles to the west....otherwise you better get as tough a skin as those of us who have dealt with the above for years. Oh.. and by the way.. dont come down here or post on a forum thinking you are going to change it..aint happening. I moved to SOWAL (decades ago) and accepted it for what it is...smarta$$es and all.
P.S...I don't depend on tourist dollars to pay the cable bill I am using to post this.

Ditto jodiFl. Now lets move on. Please.. seems like there's a party coming to celebrate the
New season )

Nothing unkind about locals looking forward to a little peace in the home town, especially after a long, hot, busy, wonderful summer (thanks to all our visitors!). It won't last long because things heat up quickly in OCT through November around here! Always something going on and that's a good thing.

You forgot rainy!

Publix=best shopping experience ever and anywhere. Tourist=owners of SoWal. Look at tax roles under mailing address'. Lighten up locals.