Shopping at Publix

We have several friends who are transplanted Floridians. They all will talk about how wonderful the Publix grocery stores are in Florida. "Wish we had them here" or "I sure miss Publix" they'll say. So last week while in Florida for a few days, we decided to see for ourselves. Here are some things we noticed that make Publix appealing:

The stores are clean and quiet. Things look fresh and the stores are well-lit.

The color of the Publix logo is light green, like fresh new grass in the spring. Everybody loves spring.

Though the stores are not huge megastores, there's lots of variety.

They offer attractively designed informational brochures that are available as you enter the store and the display signage is easily readable. One store had a couple of well-done, handmade signs in the deli/meat department that made you feel at home, not a corporate feel at all.

Nobody asked us for our Publix customer card. Publix doesn't use them. As a customer service rep told us "if it's on sale, it's on sale". Love that concept.

They make GREAT deli sandwiches.

But maybe what makes Publix so likable are the people who work there. You get a sense that, for the most part, they really like their job. We didn't hear employees griping about the company or other customers. Nobody was discussing how long it was until they got off work. It seemed like a pleasant place to work and that made it a pleasant place to shop.

Here's The Point: The prices at Publix aren't necessarily any better than other grocery stores. They all sell basically the same items. But somehow it seemed a little different. Maybe the difference was in the employees' attitudes. Maybe their demeanor influenced ours.

Our shopping experience at Publix made me think. How is my attitude about my job? I love my job, but does anyone know that? Am I positive while on the clock as well as off of it? I'm realizing that people can make assumptions about the nature and culture and ministry of my church simply by how I discuss my job. I hope people see our church positively because they sense that from me. What about you and where you work?

Did I mention Publix has great deli sandwiches?