Monday, January 17, 2011

The Secret of Trader Joe's

Not only do I enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s because of their consistently outstanding customer service, great selection, and super-low prices, but I also love that they play the best music while you’re shopping.

Every day of the week they feature a different genre.

Sometimes it’s Disco, sometimes it’s Reggae, and other times it’s R&B.

Last Friday afternoon it was Motown. And can I just tell you how much I LOVE the sound of Motown???

I truly was born with the rhythm of a brotha. Well, in this case….a sista!

At one point they played, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by the Supremes.

So there I was standing in the frozen food section, trying to decide on whether to get the box of microwavable brown rice or jasmine rice, when all of a sudden I started lip-syncing and dancing like a drag queen getting ready to go onstage; giving a killer impersonation of Diana Ross.

I don’t know what came over me, but all my awareness of anyone else around simply vanished. In my mind, it was only me, a microphone, The London Palladium, and a spotlight.

Luckily, the woman standing next to me was getting into the music as much as I was, so I knew I wasn’t the only crazy person in Trader Joe’s. And not only was she rockin' out to the music, but she was simultaneously text messaging on her phone, while never missing a word or beat to the song.

And as I looked around, I noticed that most customers were also enjoying the music.

Okay.....maybe not as FESTIVE as she and I were, but they were moving their hips and conservatively singing along with the song.

By the time I got up to the checkout line, practically the whole store was singing the reprise….

“Ain’t no mountain high enough (WOO!)….Ain’t no valley low enough (OW!)…..Ain’t no river wide enough (HEY!)….to keep me from yoo-oou!”

The guy standing behind me started laughing and said, “Would you just look at everyone’s head bopping to the music. It’s contagious isn’t it?”

(and as I snapped my fingers in a Z-formation) I said, "It sure is!"

So, this got me thinking….

Maybe that’s the whole point of why Trader Joe’s plays such awesome music. Perhaps they secretly know that whether consciously or subliminally, good music always moves a person’s soul to feeling happy.

And when they’re happy….

….they stay longer, and BUY MORE GROCERIES!

Just call me Miss Ross, y’all!