What Happens When You Approach People in a Costco Parking Lot

I needed signatures on a petition. I got a whole lot more.

Photo by Pixabay

People are peculiar beasts. This is especially true if you catch them off guard while loading an enormous jar of olives into their trunk. I spent a good part of my Saturday doing just this.

I’m volunteering for several political campaigns. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I feel compelled to get off my couch and try to make something happen in the world. I’m silly that way.

I live in a battleground state. This sounds a lot like we should be wearing large coats made out of IKEA rugs and swinging axes while defending a wall. This isn’t that far from reality except it’s too hot for the coats and our wall is contentious. One side has really good tacos. The other side has less desireable tacos.

Saturday, I joined two other canvassers to collect signatures to get a candidate on a ballot. I had never done this before.

I wore the most unassuming things I could: jeans, a blue blouse, and matching Converse. This was a far better choice than a fellow canvasser that chose a black hoodie and looked a little like The Unabomber.

All I had to do was kindly approach people, ask if they were a registered Democrat or Independent…