Dear readers, I apologize that the last portion of Deborah's last sentence trailed off. I/we fixed it.

I find it quite saddening that anyone would respond with that much apathy to someone so clearly in need of help. However, I don't see what the size of the apathetic Safeway employees has to do with anything. Perhaps it's just an unfortunate choice of words, but the phrasing that they "continued to shovel mashed potatoes and gravy into their already plus-sized frames" seems to suggest that it would be somehow less upsetting if they were not plus-sized (or not "shoveling", or perhaps eating something healthy instead). Yet, I would imagine that ignoring a senior in medical distress would be equally appalling if the employees in question were thin. What matters is what happened, not whether anyone involved was overweight.

I am an occasional Safeway patron, and I have nothing against that brand - except for that particular Broadway store. I will go out of my way to avoid it. I have encountered consistent stocking problems there, but the surly attitudes of employees I've encountered eclipse the amusing fact that the store can't seem to keep even Safeway brand cola on its shelves. I also once complained about the dark parking lot, with half or more of its lights burned out or turned off being a potential mugger's paradise. I know it is unfair to accuse every employee of an entire store location, so I will point my criticism at the stores management and union leadership for allowing even one or two employees to act as reported here. In my opinion of that store, an incident of this type was bound to happen in a store that rivaled my imagination of what service levels a state-run store in olden Moscow must have offered. I commend this publication for calling "foul."

This Safeway sure is different than the one I use near Rossmoor.

Whenever I'm in there, there are always customers 30-40 years older, whose bodies have seen much straighter days. I'm amazed, everytime I shop there, when the cashier asks if I need help getting out to the car! This is even more amazing when you consider I usually only buy about $30 worth of groceries -- ~3 bags worth. It hits me everytime.

The stocking isn't as extensive as downtown but, the store has more of a pleasant, community feel. Its friendly and I enjoy shopping there.

I don't think this is a Safeway issue, just a downtown Safeway issue. Could it be that if you're operating in a more congested, eventful environment where jewelry snatching, physical assaults against women, and bar fighting in the streets are common -- someone with a nose bleed just doesn't stand out as much?

I don't like that particular Safeway either even though it's the most convenient grocery store to my house. If I have to go to Safeway I try to go to the one in Countrywood. I just wish the drug store there was still a Longs.

"The staff members replied that they were on their break and continued to shovel mashed potatoes and gravy into their already plus-sized frames." I am "plus-sized" and take offense to this statement. What kind of "journalism" is this?!?! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!

That particular Safeway bought out a bunch of very helpful, friendly clerks and workers several years back, and it has felt the brunt of it ever since. The people they brought in to replace them are paid a lot less and it shows, this is just another example of that. Try shopping at this Safeway and then go down to Alamo and shop at that one, night and day because Safeway's CEO shops there and they've fostered and paid a little more for the people that work there.

Thanks for the reminder of why I never shop at that Safeway anymore unless the Countrywood one is closed.