Deli monger

I don't know what a fruit monger is and I really don't even know if the appropriate word to put in front of monger is fruit, but for some reason that sounds right. Correct me please if I'm wrong. So about not knowing what the "blank" monger is, let me tell you what I picture when I hear the term. I picture a monster grubbing on "blank" (again fill in the appropriate word here). The monster is short and has hard skin and beady eyes just like any monster. I think it looks a bit like a lizard and it has short arms that just reach its mouth. So what does this "blank" monger do? It eats the "blank" ravenously. Now those of you who are thinking that I'm way off the mark on my understanding of the word monger, please understand that I know this. I have no clue and don't want to ruin my imagination, I guess, by going to dictionary.com. It's ok though if you want to tell me the true meaning of the word. I won't be upset with you.

So why all this talk about mongers?

I went on the weekly grocery jaunt to Publix on Sunday. Not only did Publix not have the best apples in the world, but they also didn't have Whole Wheat Chips Ahoy!, which make me feel better about eating the occasional cookie. I'm standing in the line a the deli and there are 2 or 3 people ahead of me. I'm waiting and WAITING and at some point I think to actually look up there and see what the hold up is. Well here's where the term monger (definition: greedy little monster) comes in. The reason the line was persistently long was because my fellow grocery shoppers were ordering their meat or cheese and then the lady would slice a piece off, walk over to the counter, show them the specimen and then they would take the meat or cheese and greedily eat this little sliver of food, as if they hadn't eaten in days. It's not the deli lady's fault or anything because I'm always shown the turkey or cheese and usually offered it, but I always decline taking the sample and chowing down. I decline for a number of reasons, but the only one that really matters is that I'm there to get my stuff and go home to eat. I don't know why this struck me as odd really and especially why it would make me write a whole bunch about the meaning of the word monger because really these people aren't doing anything wrong, but as I stood in line leaning on my buggy watching these people fold and cram pieces of deli meat or cheese into their mouth and then put the plastic paper back on top of the deli case for the nice lady to throw out, it just bothered me. So the word monger grunted into my brain and I guess I'm a mean person for thinking that because as sure as I write this someone out there will read it and think, "Oh, I love to eat the sample of the meat or cheese at the deli. It's nice that they offer it." I have the same opinion about samples at nice places like Earthfare or Whole Foods. Why eat ALL those samples? Do you really need them?