This is an amazing idea. I had a similar experience working cashier at a food co-op that I realized was operating in an alley beside my new apartment. Working o

This is an amazing idea. I had a similar experience working cashier at a food co-op that I realized was operating in an alley beside my new apartment. Working on cash duty for 2 hours a week is one thing, but I think the most mind-blowing idea came from being a regular shopper when not on-shift. I'm a pretty friendly and respectful guy, and I like to think I treat everyone fairly and equitably, but... this job made me realize that something was amiss. When the people stocking your shelves and charging your credit card might just as easily be a professor or small business owner, a tiny behavioural toggle flips in your brain. And I found that disconcerting. I realized that maybe I hadn't been giving the other people in my community the mindshare they deserved, if that makes sense. Or maybe, in a funny way, a member-owned co-op is a lot like open source, more than anything else. People who are there, are there because they choose to be. Maybe that's the most important thing that informs the different sort of interaction. We assume unhealthy things about people who do not choose to be serving us. Or maybe that's not the take-home. I'm still thinking on it :)