You wanna hear something really crazy?
Today, at Panera, I witnessed something that I’ve never seen before.
A woman exiting the restaurant was pushing a stroller with an infant inside, maybe 7 and a half months old, give or take a few days.
As she walked towards the door, I started to get up from my seat to hold the door open for her. Unfortunately for the baby, the mother decided that the stroller, in addition to holding her sleeping child, could also act as a sort of makeshift battering ram.
Much like the 10,000 Uruk-Hai that pillaged Helms Deep by penetrating its walls with their battering ram, which they named “Grond (Hammer of the Underworld),” this woman plowed her way through Panera’s door using this stroller.
Immediately, the baby woke up screaming.
Now, I initially assumed this was an accident, because WHO WOULD EVER THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA?
Maybe, she was looking away for a second and ACCIDENTALLY smashed her baby’s stroller right into the door. Unfortunate, but accidents do happen.
Keep in mind, Panera has a little alcove area, so there are two separate doors that you need to open in order to enter or exit the establishment.
Just seconds later, still without breaking stride, SHE PLOWED THROUGH THE OUTER DOOR TOO.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
Once she bulldozed her way through the exit and returned to the outside world, I had no more reason to continue standing, so I reluctantly sat back down, totally perplexed at what just happened.
Did my eyes deceive me?
All I know is, if I had the authority to do so, I wouldn’t go giving this woman any “Parent of the Year” awards come next June.
Until next time,
Michael J. Erickson, CEO & Co-Founder
