Going to the supermarket in Israel

Shopping at supermarkets in Israel is anything but a normal experience. The first time I went to the supermarket alone, I figured no biggie. My Hebrew's ok. How hard can shopping alone be? I go to pull out a shopping cart and it doesn't budge. I try again, only to realize that the carts can only be released by putting a 5 shekel coin in the slot. Great. With no small change on me, I held my purchases in my hands until I got to the cashier. (no small feat for a person with Cerebral Palsy, but I managed). Gratefully, I unloaded the food onto the belt and waited as the cashier rang everything up. After paying her, I stood there waiting for my groceries to be bagged. The cashier looks at me and says "What are you waiting for?" Glancing around, I realized that everyone was bagging their own groceries so I quickly got to work. Things didn't go so smoothly. The plastic bags wouldn't open even after I wet my finger like ten times. With a growing line behind me and feeling embarrassed that I was taking forever, I hurried to get a move on, offering a silent 'thank god' after I managed to get all the groceries in the bags. I miss Publix, I thought. I longed for the supermarkets in the U.S., where bagging is done for you.
As I was leaving, the cashier said " wait, you don't want your gift"? I'm thinking what is she talking about? I go back to the cashier. She hands me a slip so I can collect my gift at the main cashier. Tired, a little frustrated and somewhat curious, I walk with my heavy bags to get my gift. I hand the cashier my slip and she hands me a plush doll. I looked at the doll and thought are they for real?! You get gifts or stamps toward gifts, for spending 100 shekels ($27 USD). Bring it on baby!
So, yea shopping can be frustrating but it literally pays!