In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, some folks seem to think the greatest injustice to come from the storm isn’t the loss of life or wide spread power outages—it’s having to pay with cash at Ingles and dealing with a depleted inventory. Yes, the winds of Helene may have swept through, but somehow it’s the temporary lack of credit card machines (in places with a half dozen convenient shopping options) that’s blown some customers right off course.
Ingles, a grocery chain deeply embedded in Western Carolina, is facing challenges in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which has left the region with power outages and disrupted supply lines. Stores across the Southeast are operating on cash-only systems and struggling with inventory shortages as shipments are delayed and rerouted to more devastated areas
To those airing their grievances with a one-star reviews or a public social media rant, a gentle reminder: the sun does not rise and set on your ability to use your debit card.
But before you hit “post” on that fiery Facebook status, or yell at a store associate, take a breath. Below are 15 things you can do before giving the Ingles cashier a piece of your mind (online and otherwise).
1. Pick a fight with your Wi-Fi router
2. Complain to your dog
3. Reorganize your sock drawer—again
4. Bake a cake, then sit in it
5. Water your grass and watch it grow
6. Solve world peace—just for fun, then withhold the secret, also for fun
7. Count the number of times you blink in a minute
8. Learn to juggle (your expectations)
9. Start a staring contest with your reflection
10. Recreate famous paintings with mashed potatoes
11. Alphabetize your cereal boxes
12. Build a fort out of frustration and pillows
13. Host a tea party with your imaginary friends
14. Sharpen your pencils (and your perspective)
15. Practice knitting (your nerves back together)
By the time you reach the end of these tips, you’ll hopefully feel calm, collected, and maybe even a little amused. Ranting online? No need. You’ve got this!
Interested in providing financial solace? Consider donating to Samaritan’s Purse.
