Amazon on Monday unveiled the latest plan to automate American workers out of existence

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51. Yes! And as soon as lines back up they open new ones

I grew up fifteen miles from where Publix started and can remember the first Publix store. When they opened one in my home town in the late 1950s it was a major event - I think that was Publix #4 or 5. Once Publix came to town Mom seldom shopped anywhere else. There was an Albertson's for a while but it was dirty, the produce was substandard, and the service was not as good.

They always ask if they can help you but a few times when I was really tired - and must have looked it - they have not taken "No" for an answer. At the one I shop most often, there is a sweet young man with disabilities that is always so nice when he bags my groceries. The other day I had on a shirt with warblers he said he liked my cardinal shirt but he was confused why none of them were red. I tired to explain that they were a different kind of bird but it just confused him more.

The last time I was there a manager bagged my stuff. Unfortunately she didn't do a very good job - over four bags, the cold items were split a few in each bag rather than being packed together, for instance. I'd rather have the young man who likes cardinal - he's a little slower but he knows how to pack the bags so like items are together!

What I like is that unlike some stores, Publix encourages their employees to engage with the customers. I've been at stores where the employees were expected to be "professional" and thus came across as cold. It's just not as nice to shop at those kinds of stores.