Shopping-cart forum

Dear Readers: The response to a recent Sound Off from a reader who explained why she did not take the cart to the SHOPPING-CART CORRAL (she had small children and didn't want to leave them in a hot car) really sparked some discussion!

Most people were unhappy because of incidents of carts hitting their cars. Thanks to all those who took time to share their opinions with us. Here goes:

1. Loose shopping carts are a danger both to other shoppers (I have seen them running loose in parking lots, and believe me, it hurts to be slammed by a shopping cart) and to other cars.

Here are a few suggestions to protect her children, exercise common courtesy and teach her children responsibility:

Park next to the cart corral. Then you won't have to "walk several spaces away to return the cart."

Do your shopping at a time when you don't have to take all of your children with you.

Push your children with you to the cart corral and have them walk back to the car or carry them. It would be fun for the kids to help Mom put the cart away and then form a human chain back to the car.

The car you save from destruction might be your own. -- Dented and Devalued in Indiana

2. I agree that it is not wise to leave the children alone in the car; therefore, I suggest the reader return the cart the way she picked up the cart -- with her children accompanying her. It is never too early to start teaching children courtesy and regard for others. -- Lucille, Palmyra, Pa.

3. I am disappointed that you would print such drivel in your otherwise informative column. Shame on you and/or your staff. -- A Reader, Via E-mail

We printed this "drivel" to open discussion on a subject that many people are concerned about and bothered by, and now both sides have voiced their opinions. -- Heloise

4. It's always an adventure shopping with the children in tow, but let's not use them as an excuse for not doing the right thing. -- J.G., Burtonsville, Md.

FAST FACTS

Dear Heloise: As a college student, I've learned to use every item to the extreme. I've found neat ways to recycle empty soda cans.

First I take a regular, manual can opener and cut the tops off the cans, making sure to dispose of the tops and making sure no sharp edges are exposed. Then I:

use the empty can as a handy pen/pencil holder on my desk, or

use the empty can as a neat pot for a potted plant. They make cute and inexpensive gifts for any soda and plant lover! -- H.M., Jamestown, N.D.