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Dear Helena,
I was grocery shopping the other day during peak hours after work. The store was crowded, and I observed people shoving others’ carts out of their way, shoving each other, and generally acting uncivil. What are your thoughts on grocery store etiquette?
—Manners Aren’t Just for Dinner Parties
Dear Manners Aren’t Just for Dinner Parties,
Grocery stores do seem to bring out the worst in people. Tracy Morales (not her real name), a cashier at a large health-food store in California, says customers regularly help themselves to handfuls of granola, trail mix, and chocolates out of the bulk bins, or engage in what she calls “number-switching”: labeling bags that contain one bulk item with the SKUs of cheaper items. For instance, one woman recently bought eight pounds of raw almonds but wrote down the SKU of the pasteurized variety—a price difference of $30. (Morales knew the raw kind look darker, so she called the customer on it.) Morales recalls, “She went to refill her bag with the cheaper kind, and while she was gone, I told her one-year-old, ‘Your mother is a thief.’”
Customers justify their behavior with the Robin Hood excuse, says Anna Castellani, managing partner of Foragers Market in Brooklyn: “They’re convinced you’re making money hand over fist.” But sometimes they’re just acting irrationally because they’re hungry, says Patrick Mills, assistant manager of San Francisco’s Bi-Rite Market. “People come in with their blood sugar through the floor and their eyes bulging out.”
Though it’s not theft, it’s bad manners to eat an item in the store that you intend to buy later. You might create a mess with crumbs or juice, drop the wrapper, or cause the store workers to stare suspiciously at you as if you’re stealing.
It’s also basic courtesy not to hold up a line for no good reason, yet people frequently do so because they forgot an item on their list, they want to get rid of some pennies that the cashier then has to count out, or they’re reading US Weekly.
Lack of awareness is surely the explanation for those who block the aisle with their carts, talk on their cell phones while checking out and ignore the cashier, and let animals and children run amok in the aisles. Mills says, “Someone brought a child on a scooter into Bi-Rite. How is that OK?”
Then there’s the issue of bagging. This is a wildly contentious topic among Chowhounds. Some believe bagging is included in the price of groceries. Others think lending a hand to help bag your own is fine. Whatever your preference, don’t act as if the store should be able to read your mind.
If you prefer doing it yourself, opt for self-checkout or just tell the bagger politely. Jon Sandell has worked as a bagger at Chris’s Food Center in Minnesota for 38 years, and also took second place in the 2007 National Best Bagger Championship. He says he wouldn’t take offense.
Nor would the cashiers at Bi-Rite, Mills says. People have very particular ideas about how they prefer their groceries to be bagged, the same way many have their own rules about how to load a dishwasher. Mills explains: “The first guest might be walking home two miles and want everything double-bagged, the next might be really concerned about paper and want a single bag, and the next might be really concerned about their meat touching the vegetables.” So even a master bagger like Sandell can’t always anticipate your needs.
The thing that gets me is ppl thinking they should be treated like GOD er something everywhere they go. Get over yourselves ppl!
Isn't over population grand? Go have some more babies won't ya!?
I buy my groceries online and have them delivered so that I don't have to deal with this shit. Technology is great.
I used to work at a Mid-Atlantic grocery chain and always hated the people that park in the "No Parking" zone. What, is that "No Parking except for (name)" now? Even when there's an available spot twenty feet or so away?
Yes, I'm sorry, but I hate those "expectant / people with children" parking spaces, which btw, are not a legal right. Pregnancy is not a disability, and I really fail to see how having children someone entitles someone to have a closer parking spot, say, over the elderly. I accept them, but when I hear people getting all entitled over it, or worse yet, the types who seem to think that because...+READ
Yes, I'm sorry, but I hate those "expectant / people with children" parking spaces, which btw, are not a legal right. Pregnancy is not a disability, and I really fail to see how having children someone entitles someone to have a closer parking spot, say, over the elderly. I accept them, but when I hear people getting all entitled over it, or worse yet, the types who seem to think that because they have this special status, that they can help themselves to the disabled parking because the "expectant / people with children" spots are full, then my feathers are ruffled.
*rant over* I generally enjoy grocery shopping, but my main peeves are
-cashiers who completely ignore the customer.
-people who leave their unwanted items just anywhere (like packages of hamburger meat in with the potato chips, or frozen items just left on a shelf)
-ankle ramming mini-carts and people who think it's cute when their child does something like this / don't apologize.
-people who don't put their carts away, both inside and outside the store.-COLLAPSE
I have a few suggestions to add to supermarket etiquette.
Don't block a 6 foot isle by thoughtlessly turning your basket sideways.
Don't block an isle with a combination of your cart and the rest of your family.
Leave your children at home, if possible. I know. It probably isn't.
I highly recommend using your debit card to pay for your groceries. it is very fast.
If you are going to write a...+READ
I have a few suggestions to add to supermarket etiquette.
Don't block a 6 foot isle by thoughtlessly turning your basket sideways.
Don't block an isle with a combination of your cart and the rest of your family.
Leave your children at home, if possible. I know. It probably isn't.
I highly recommend using your debit card to pay for your groceries. it is very fast.
If you are going to write a check, get it out and and start filling it in while the groceries are being checked.
Don't get into a long drawn out conversation with the checker.-COLLAPSE
When we first moved to Florida, we started shopping at Publix -- their slogan is "where shopping is a pleasure". cue the eye rolling. Well, I must say, that is a pretty accurate slogan. I've never seen such friendly, warm, and helpful staff. Lots of eye contact, big smiles, clearly enunciated speech, frequent offers to help carry your bags to your car (they do this for everyone, not just the...+READ
When we first moved to Florida, we started shopping at Publix -- their slogan is "where shopping is a pleasure". cue the eye rolling. Well, I must say, that is a pretty accurate slogan. I've never seen such friendly, warm, and helpful staff. Lots of eye contact, big smiles, clearly enunciated speech, frequent offers to help carry your bags to your car (they do this for everyone, not just the elderly or infirm, and there is no tipping allowed). The prices are slightly higher than some of the other chains, at least on a few items but nowhere near the outrageous markup you find at Whole Foods. I've noticed that this attitude carries over to the shoppers as well - people are generally much nicer to each other in the market.-COLLAPSE
Wow, toodie, you must live in an area with amazing customer service if you think that's a management-worthy complaint!
What bugs me are people that take up two spaces in the parking lot.
I am a smoker I know shame on me. But what really grinds my gears is the eye rolling I get from the cashier because they have to grab a key and walk way over to the cig case. It must be at least 6 feet away. If you lazy arses don't want to get my cigs then don't sell them.
Yesterday I bought a small boxed item and said "no thanks" to a bag. The bagger then swatted the item over towards me half heartedly. Didn't take the time to pick it up and hand it to me with a "there you are, thank you" or anything. I think he just forgot where he was (at "work"!) so I gently chided him, requesting that he hand things to those who didn't need a bag, as it made it more personal....+READ
Yesterday I bought a small boxed item and said "no thanks" to a bag. The bagger then swatted the item over towards me half heartedly. Didn't take the time to pick it up and hand it to me with a "there you are, thank you" or anything. I think he just forgot where he was (at "work"!) so I gently chided him, requesting that he hand things to those who didn't need a bag, as it made it more personal. He rolled his eyes. Today I'll speak to the manager.-COLLAPSE
The thing that bothers me at the store, is people who leave their cart anywhere they want in the parking lot. Sometimes just a few feet away from the cart corral. More often than not blocking parking slots causing some peole to bump into them and starting them to roll uncontrollably crashing into vehicles or others.
What drives me nuts is people who abandon their carts when the cart is placed diagonally across the aisle, effectively blocking it both ways. They wander off, sometimes to a completely different aisle, to pick up an item they forgot, and the heck with anyone else who wants to use that aisle.
I generally help them by taking their cart, and moving it down to the end of the aisle, placing it...+READ
What drives me nuts is people who abandon their carts when the cart is placed diagonally across the aisle, effectively blocking it both ways. They wander off, sometimes to a completely different aisle, to pick up an item they forgot, and the heck with anyone else who wants to use that aisle.
I generally help them by taking their cart, and moving it down to the end of the aisle, placing it against the shelf so people can get by. I'll also assist them by noticing what they've already placed in their carts, and adding a few extra items that I think fit in with their selections. It makes me feel warm all over to know what assistance I'm providing.-COLLAPSE
Wow, you poor S.O.B.'s on the coast just can't be nice to each other anywhere. I love the grocery store, the people are always friendly. And I meet some charming older people who sometimes have great recipes. Maybe it's my accent or the fact the place I shop is locally owned, but I've never had a problem. My butchers shop is also a great place to be. I never know what wonderful new thing they'll...+READ
Wow, you poor S.O.B.'s on the coast just can't be nice to each other anywhere. I love the grocery store, the people are always friendly. And I meet some charming older people who sometimes have great recipes. Maybe it's my accent or the fact the place I shop is locally owned, but I've never had a problem. My butchers shop is also a great place to be. I never know what wonderful new thing they'll have. Yesterday I bought tongue blood sausage, I'd never even heard of it until a nice gentleman pointed it out. The people here may be crazy conservative but they're nice as hell.-COLLAPSE
Living in Germany, I am absolutely amazed at this. I go grocery shopping frequently and I can quite honestly say that a vast majority of the people I meet there are exceptionally friendly. If you have less items than them, they almost always let you go in front of them.
Although, there's one disadvantage in German supermarkets: There are no baggers :-/
I have been known to eat while shopping. I have diabetes and sometimes really have to eat something right away. Usually I have something sweet in my purse, but on occasion I have forgotten it in the car. I of course keep the wrapper, package or bottle for the checkout person. And I do not spill or make a crumby mess.
My biggest gripe is when I have like 2 or 3 items and someone with a cart full of items will just cut in front of me or we'll be going at the same time and they are never like go ahead. I've always been super polite in an American society that is not, its sad.
Comment This just happened an hour ago. I'm heading to an open checkout, and a guy with no groceries barely beats me there and holds the lane for his wife who is trailing by about twenty feet. Was it the worst thing I've seen? No, but it was moderatey annoying
I must say that I have a habit of drinking drinks I plan to buy while I'm in the store. Not often, but if I'm really thirsty or have to take some kind of medication and I only just got there, I'll occasionally open a bottle of juice or soda that I know I'm buying, to take meds or sip on while I shop. I don't do it with any other kind of food.
I never "help myself" to food out of the bulk...+READ
I must say that I have a habit of drinking drinks I plan to buy while I'm in the store. Not often, but if I'm really thirsty or have to take some kind of medication and I only just got there, I'll occasionally open a bottle of juice or soda that I know I'm buying, to take meds or sip on while I shop. I don't do it with any other kind of food.
I never "help myself" to food out of the bulk section, that's just blatantly rude and cheap and uuuggh. I'm not surprised people do it though...:(-COLLAPSE
I disagree; it was not at all out of line. She didn't harrass the kid, or chop her or his head off (as was done in ancient Japan) for the sins of the parent....she informed them of a simple truth!
You can sometimes shame a parent into behaving better, when they know their children are watching or aware of their dishonesty. Exactly when did it become 'correct' to simply shut up and allow kids to...+READ
I disagree; it was not at all out of line. She didn't harrass the kid, or chop her or his head off (as was done in ancient Japan) for the sins of the parent....she informed them of a simple truth!
You can sometimes shame a parent into behaving better, when they know their children are watching or aware of their dishonesty. Exactly when did it become 'correct' to simply shut up and allow kids to believe their parents are perfect role models, when those parents are acting brazenly dishonest? IMO, that's exactly one of the problems we have in society. Remember, kids observe their parents for cues on how to behave, and seeing their parents brought down a peg for behaving dishonestly certainly won't ~encourage~ them to emulate whatever their parents did, like pretending to ignore it might.
Social stigma and shame are VERY effective controls on inappropriate behaviour. If more people knew their kids were aware of their actions, there might be fewer acts of larceny.-COLLAPSE
People who go into the express lane with a full cart of groceries, or express lanes that allow 20 items. If you have 20 items, you should not be in the express lane.
MY absolute pet peeve because it's SO blatant and SO inconsiderate. I don't mean 'only 22' items, I mean 122! I think checkers should be allowed to refuse to check these people out, or at least be able to ask them to move to the...+READ
People who go into the express lane with a full cart of groceries, or express lanes that allow 20 items. If you have 20 items, you should not be in the express lane.
MY absolute pet peeve because it's SO blatant and SO inconsiderate. I don't mean 'only 22' items, I mean 122! I think checkers should be allowed to refuse to check these people out, or at least be able to ask them to move to the proper line before they load up the belt. Alas, they can't. do this.-COLLAPSE
I agree , the "your mother is a thief" comment to the baby was TOTALLY out of line. Granted I would think that she was a thief too, but you just don't say things like that to a kid about thier parent. That's just mean hearted.
The other day a lady and I were approaching the cashier about the same time so she rushed ahead of me to be first, I would not have been upset with her in the lest if it had not been for the fact that she had a cart a little more than half full and all I had was two items. At best we forget that it cost nothing to be nice or at worst some just don't care and the odd thing about all of this is...+READ
The other day a lady and I were approaching the cashier about the same time so she rushed ahead of me to be first, I would not have been upset with her in the lest if it had not been for the fact that she had a cart a little more than half full and all I had was two items. At best we forget that it cost nothing to be nice or at worst some just don't care and the odd thing about all of this is that we tend to respect people that show good manners but most of all you will feel better about your self too..-COLLAPSE
I have a chronic illness and ride a mobiity scooter even though I'm in my early 30's. My favorite grocery shoppers are the ones that see me looking up at the top shelves (everything I like is up there tee hee) and kindly say "Could I reach something for you". I find kind, nice people in stores everywhere who are willing to help me and make my trip just that bit easier.
it is outrageous to tell a one year old child that her mother is a thief. The worker should have called the police if she thought this was robbery, but there was no reason to harass a young child who may or may not know what was happening.
the most irritating to me are the ones that park their carts in the middle of the aisle looking for an item down the aisle. they have no consideration for others at all and then they give you attitude when you move their cart so you can get down the aisle.
@tatamagouche: Ditching the kid at checkout is bad partly because of child safety, but also because it puts the cashier in a terribly unfair position. What if the child does manage to hurt herself while I'm gone? Manages, say, to wriggle out of the seat belt, and try to stand up in the top part of the shopping cart--which wouldn't be, like, an unprecedented event, but normally when it happens I,...+READ
@tatamagouche: Ditching the kid at checkout is bad partly because of child safety, but also because it puts the cashier in a terribly unfair position. What if the child does manage to hurt herself while I'm gone? Manages, say, to wriggle out of the seat belt, and try to stand up in the top part of the shopping cart--which wouldn't be, like, an unprecedented event, but normally when it happens I, the parent, am standing right there to grab her, but in this case the poor cashier's stuck there on the other side of the counter... Granted that's a worst-case, but it's awfully insensitive to set the cashier up to feel bad about anything that happens to one's child in one's absence. That's hardly their job. And all for a few minutes and some almonds?-COLLAPSE
I prefer to do my own bagging, as it gets me out of the store that much quicker.
Donk, are you being serious or just gender-baiting? If anything, I've noticed a generational difference in paying before the order is totaled vs. paying immediately when one's items start to be rung up. If forced to say that one gender is better at promptly paying than the other, I'd say that women tend to have their payment ready, I'm guessing because they are more accustomed to doing the...+READ
Donk, are you being serious or just gender-baiting? If anything, I've noticed a generational difference in paying before the order is totaled vs. paying immediately when one's items start to be rung up. If forced to say that one gender is better at promptly paying than the other, I'd say that women tend to have their payment ready, I'm guessing because they are more accustomed to doing the grocery shopping.
Grapevine, I agree! I actually like when they comment one or two things and/or engage in general conversation, but I don't need your running commentary on each and every one of the items I'm buying.-COLLAPSE
My biggest pet peeve with the cashiers is the one who holds up every item and comments. They will pick up a product and say oh is this good? or I bought this last week I made blah blah blah . I'm not complaining about making a comment or two. I am complaining about the cashier that comments on everything from toliet paper to rice a roni. Very annoying.
Bagging SHOULD always be part of the price of groceries, I should NOT have to do it myself. The fact that we are all "pitching in" to lend a hand seems like the right thing to do at times (I've done it myself) but the reality is that the practice represents the deterioration of the high standard of service and the value of the dollar in the US. By comparison, I can't image asking one of my...+READ
Bagging SHOULD always be part of the price of groceries, I should NOT have to do it myself. The fact that we are all "pitching in" to lend a hand seems like the right thing to do at times (I've done it myself) but the reality is that the practice represents the deterioration of the high standard of service and the value of the dollar in the US. By comparison, I can't image asking one of my clients to help me write a brief or a letter that I'm writing on their behalf and I'm sure they would consider it an equally preposterous request.-COLLAPSE
While admittedly convenient, I try not to use unless absolutely necessary. Just remember that the self checkout lines popping up at many stores take away jobs. Right now there might only be 4 self check stands in your store, but I promise there there will soon be 8.
I try very hard not to get behind a woman in the check out lines. Invariably, women wait until all items are rung up, stare at the total, and then start looking for payment means. MenI usually start my payment process as soon as the first item is rung up are finished very quickly.
One needn't be a "master bagger" to know that meats and veggies shouldn't mingle in the same shopping bag.
@lagatta: I need to use the disabled toilet stall because I need handrails to help me sit. Usually, girls will be in there using the mirror to apply makeup, and it seems like I have to wait forever. It never fails. I have yet to see, however, a mother using the diaper station.
I put items on the conveyor in the general order or groupings I want them bagged (we live far from the grocery store and many items have to go in a cooler). Meats go together, dairy/cheese together, veggies together. It's amusing to see how the different checker/cashiers/baggers react. I have a flexible schedule and make sure I'm not shopping at peak hours. I also bring my own bags, and many...+READ
I put items on the conveyor in the general order or groupings I want them bagged (we live far from the grocery store and many items have to go in a cooler). Meats go together, dairy/cheese together, veggies together. It's amusing to see how the different checker/cashiers/baggers react. I have a flexible schedule and make sure I'm not shopping at peak hours. I also bring my own bags, and many checkers act as if that's an incredible imposition, to which I say: get over it (and, also, to the store managers: please train your employees in customer service.)-COLLAPSE
All of the grocery stores around me employ baggers and do not charge for bags. It's a positive thing, since most of the baggers are either difficult to hire types or barely old enough to work.
It doesn't always mean that they'll be manning my checkout stand, but if they're there, I won't help them as I'll only be in the way. I'm not particular about how my groceries are packed; generally, the...+READ
All of the grocery stores around me employ baggers and do not charge for bags. It's a positive thing, since most of the baggers are either difficult to hire types or barely old enough to work.
It doesn't always mean that they'll be manning my checkout stand, but if they're there, I won't help them as I'll only be in the way. I'm not particular about how my groceries are packed; generally, the baggers are more mindful about items than I am.
I do insist on taking my groceries out to my car by myself though. I'm able bodied and don't need to take the bagger outside when someone else might need him/her to bag groceries.
As a former cashier, I never minded kids in the store. I used to trail my mom around "helping her shop" (more like helping me get what I want). I did mind parents who expected me to step in as faux parent to their kids: watching them and admonishing them. I recall one mom getting very upset with me when I wouldn't punish her child for opening a piece of candy at checkout. I'm sorry, but it's so not my job to A) prevent the kid from doing it in the first place and B) lecturing him when he's bad.-COLLAPSE
Kpaxonite, the Rite Aid I go to is the worst with that! Or sometimes, the just assume I don't want a bag at all, so they don't bag my items, then I realize after I've already paid (usually with my debit card, as I don't carry much/any cash). Then, I have to dig through my purse for a nickel if I want a bag or just lug all of my items the four blocks home (which isn't far, but it's annoying to...+READ
Kpaxonite, the Rite Aid I go to is the worst with that! Or sometimes, the just assume I don't want a bag at all, so they don't bag my items, then I realize after I've already paid (usually with my debit card, as I don't carry much/any cash). Then, I have to dig through my purse for a nickel if I want a bag or just lug all of my items the four blocks home (which isn't far, but it's annoying to walk any distance with a few oddly shaped thing that could be easily carried in a bag!).-COLLAPSE
Someone stole my cart at Wegman's realized a few aisles later it wasn't their cart and left it there. They didn't bother to bring it back to where they found it. It took us over 20 minutes to locate it.
Thank you for addressing this Helena! I worked at a grocery store at as a cashier and I cannot tell you how rude people were to me and other customers! The changing of the sku was the worst, especially when we had to call them on it. I had one lady change the sticker from a smoked salmon with the sticker of cookies from the bakery. Really?.....
Often when I buy yogurt, the cashiers pierce the foil top with their dagger-like nails. How's that for great service? Unless I am bagging my own groceries (which I will do when a bag person doesn''t appeal immediately because my goal is to get the hell out of the line as quickly as possible for the benefit of the persons behind me - I don't know why since I seem to be the only person so...+READ
Often when I buy yogurt, the cashiers pierce the foil top with their dagger-like nails. How's that for great service? Unless I am bagging my own groceries (which I will do when a bag person doesn''t appeal immediately because my goal is to get the hell out of the line as quickly as possible for the benefit of the persons behind me - I don't know why since I seem to be the only person so motivated), I don't notice this until I get home.
Grocery stores - make those cashiers clip their stupid fingernails.-COLLAPSE
@lilkimbo my main issue with the bag thing isnt even paying the five cents its that the bag person thinks I will be upset about paying the extra five cents so they overfill all the bags and you end up walking home with one bag splitting open lol
As someone who worked as a bagger for a few months back in high school, I have to say, I would always get annoyed when someone tried to "help me" bag. (And this was a common annoyance among all of the baggers.) We were taught a specific way of bagging and each of us also had our own system and a customer interfering just messed it all up. Wanting to bad everything yourself (because you want it...+READ
As someone who worked as a bagger for a few months back in high school, I have to say, I would always get annoyed when someone tried to "help me" bag. (And this was a common annoyance among all of the baggers.) We were taught a specific way of bagging and each of us also had our own system and a customer interfering just messed it all up. Wanting to bad everything yourself (because you want it done a certain way) is different, I suppose.
Anyway, I don't just stand there in a daze while I am being checked out; I talk to the cashier. Cashiers are people, too, and they enjoy conversation as part of their daily lives as much as the rest of us. Imagine that!
Kpaxonite, they charge the same 5 cent bag tax in D.C. now. It actually bothers me less at grocery stores and more at fast food restaurants, sandwich shops where I get my lunch, etc. I remember to take extra bags with me when I am grocery shopping, but I sometimes leave my bag at my desk when I run down to get lunch.-COLLAPSE
PS the major grocery chains in Quebec have started charging 5 cents per plastic bag you take to 'save the environment'
Today a cashier at my store who is usually really efficient (which is why I get in her lines...they move the fastest) threw a plastic boxed egg salad sandwich after scanning it down to the bag boy and she had been throwing everything everything else the same way but although I was taken aback I didnt say anything because most everything else was canned goods ...anyways the sandwich box exploded...+READ
Today a cashier at my store who is usually really efficient (which is why I get in her lines...they move the fastest) threw a plastic boxed egg salad sandwich after scanning it down to the bag boy and she had been throwing everything everything else the same way but although I was taken aback I didnt say anything because most everything else was canned goods ...anyways the sandwich box exploded and the contents went everywhere and I actually said 'what the hell' and she started repacking it as though I would still purchase it ..the manager was actually the one acting as bag boy and didnt say anything....i was amazed-COLLAPSE
@NoConsumerComa, I am a terrible bagger. I always wait for them to bag for me. I don't stand there in a daze because I am an pretentious. I am letting the professionals do their job. BTW this is one of the great things about Trader Joe's: no-nonsense, fast, quality bagging every time.
do cashiers go through a training period which includes : best not to comment on items the customer is purchasing: i do like to interact with the cashier; it's all part of the shopping exersize. my pet peeve is to be questioned about my cart content.
oh! and by the way i couldn't stand there and watch a bagger do all the bagging.. it's pompass and i'm not full of my own self importance.
Everyone should bag their own groceries (plus only you know where things go in your pantry!). For a customer to be mesmerized in their "consumer coma" while they dreamily watch the checker scan their items, clueless that there are others behind them in line, waiting, is so indicative of the self-absorbed aspect of shopping that has enraptured Americans.
My one bagging pet peeve is when they go out of their way to bag all the heavy stuff in one bag. Why do they DO that?! All the canned goods, orange juice, milk, everything - inevitably ends up in one giant, heavy-as-a-small-professional-wrestler bag. I just don't get it - especially when they can see that it's just my mother and I - two not-very-huge-or-strong women. Come on, people: common...+READ
My one bagging pet peeve is when they go out of their way to bag all the heavy stuff in one bag. Why do they DO that?! All the canned goods, orange juice, milk, everything - inevitably ends up in one giant, heavy-as-a-small-professional-wrestler bag. I just don't get it - especially when they can see that it's just my mother and I - two not-very-huge-or-strong women. Come on, people: common sense.-COLLAPSE
Lagatta, I think you're totally misunderstanding what I'm saying. I never said (or really even implied) that disabled toilets are solely for disabled people. Where did you get that from? My point was that you shouldn't judge people for using that stall when others are available because you don't know if that person is able-bodied or not.
Yes, tata my point was that it's equally rude to cut in...+READ
Lagatta, I think you're totally misunderstanding what I'm saying. I never said (or really even implied) that disabled toilets are solely for disabled people. Where did you get that from? My point was that you shouldn't judge people for using that stall when others are available because you don't know if that person is able-bodied or not.
Yes, tata my point was that it's equally rude to cut in front of anyone. I think someone cutting in front of me (I'm able-bodied, 27, and have no children) is just as rude as someone cutting in front of someone with a child.-COLLAPSE
I'm sorry you folks don't have Wegman's. It's a huge family owned chain here in the East. Produce is a weigh it and tag it yourself operation, so you can eat out of the bag if you want. I'ts already priced.
Also, they have a drop-in daycare, so you can take the kids and they can play, while you shop.
Weg. is also the center of rude customers; people who yell at the deli workers because they...+READ
I'm sorry you folks don't have Wegman's. It's a huge family owned chain here in the East. Produce is a weigh it and tag it yourself operation, so you can eat out of the bag if you want. I'ts already priced.
Also, they have a drop-in daycare, so you can take the kids and they can play, while you shop.
Weg. is also the center of rude customers; people who yell at the deli workers because they don't make subs (there's a separate sub and pizza shop) or asked for a special meat cut, and don't bother to smile and thank the butcher.
The best time to grocery shop is Wednesday.-COLLAPSE
Right, but it's a stranger who's an employee, on hours and paid to stay right there behind the register, with witnesses all around. What are the chances? I still don't get it. Then again, as I said, I'm not a parent. I might if I did. Fair enough.
As for cutting in line, I think the lilkimbo's point was that it's rude to cut in front of *anyone*, regardless of their circumstances.
Ok, to answer about baby caravan, I often push the stroller with one hand and pull the grocery cart with the other. That's with only one child. Yes, it is equally rude if people dash in front of frail elderly or handicapped, just because they're also a few seconds slower. As for going to get an extra item, in my view, it's always rude not to offer for the person behind to go ahead, at a minimum....+READ
Ok, to answer about baby caravan, I often push the stroller with one hand and pull the grocery cart with the other. That's with only one child. Yes, it is equally rude if people dash in front of frail elderly or handicapped, just because they're also a few seconds slower. As for going to get an extra item, in my view, it's always rude not to offer for the person behind to go ahead, at a minimum. Also, most parents would never consider leaving their child with a stranger for any amount of time for any reason. (I understand things are different in europe.) So "one minute babysitting" is considered child endangerment, not a a faux pas. About the restroom, usually the ONLY spot to find the baby changing fixture is in the handicapped area. So, parents are always hoping that someone who needs that spot is not waiting on them. Yes, would always wait to use if a handicapped person was there. If I didn't have a child, I wouldn't be aware of any of this, which is why I posted. :)-COLLAPSE
"I had a friend in university who hated grocery shopping, so she would just go when it was busy, look into what people had in their carts and steal the cart that had about what she wanted"
Wow. Classy friend you had there. We all love grocery shopping and just do it for fun, right? Poor little thing, she doesn't wiiiike it so she should be able to do what she wants, boo hoo. She's lucky she...+READ
"I had a friend in university who hated grocery shopping, so she would just go when it was busy, look into what people had in their carts and steal the cart that had about what she wanted"
Wow. Classy friend you had there. We all love grocery shopping and just do it for fun, right? Poor little thing, she doesn't wiiiike it so she should be able to do what she wants, boo hoo. She's lucky she never ran into me with that cute little trick.-COLLAPSE
likimbo, disabled toilets aren't the same as disabled parking. The latter is strictly reserved for disabled people. You should of course let a disabled person use the disabled toilet first, but often there are only two toilets available, and the store certainly doesn't expect the disabled one to be reserved for the sole use of people with special needs.
OK, I'm not a parent, and I'm asking this in all genuineness, not snideness.
You're in the checkout line. Your baby's in the cart. You run to replace your almonds. The checkout woman is right there, waiting. Is it really a problem to leave your baby there for 60 seconds? Isn't it like 1 minute of babysitting? I don't see the peril in the situation.
Wait, I think I answered my own question about the "baby caravan." Do you just mean all of the stuff you had with you when your children were babies? Why would cutting in front of someone else be any less rude than cutting in front of the "baby caravan?"
My point about you not knowing who is and is not able-bodied in relation to the parking spaces applies to the restroom, too.
Sorry to veer...+READ
Wait, I think I answered my own question about the "baby caravan." Do you just mean all of the stuff you had with you when your children were babies? Why would cutting in front of someone else be any less rude than cutting in front of the "baby caravan?"
My point about you not knowing who is and is not able-bodied in relation to the parking spaces applies to the restroom, too.
Sorry to veer off-topic, but my mom gets dirty looks and comments all of the time when she doesn't have her cane because people believe she is able-bodied when she is not.-COLLAPSE
Do we even know the women deliberately mislabeled the almonds? Either way, the cashier was out of line in saying something to the child. (And the woman was out of line in leaving the child with the cashier.)
I agree with others that seeing 1/2 (or less) of the lanes open at, say, 3 pm on a Saturday, is one of my biggest grocery shopping pet peeves.
As far as the things customers do, well most...+READ
Do we even know the women deliberately mislabeled the almonds? Either way, the cashier was out of line in saying something to the child. (And the woman was out of line in leaving the child with the cashier.)
I agree with others that seeing 1/2 (or less) of the lanes open at, say, 3 pm on a Saturday, is one of my biggest grocery shopping pet peeves.
As far as the things customers do, well most of my grocery shopping pet peeves are really more about people not being generally courteous than about things that apply specifically to grocery shopping.
And, not to bring the discussion off-topic, but MCFAC, how are you sure you can accurately judge who is and who is not able-bodied? Take my mother and sister, for example. My mother has MS. She has a handicapped parking permit and, if no handicapped spots are available but "new and expectant mother" spots are available, she will park in them. Sometimes, she doesn't put her handicapped permit back up (she doesn't drive with it hanging from the mirror) when she does so, as there is no special permit for those spots. Sometimes, when she grocery shops, she doesn't take her cane into the store with her because she knows she'll be getting a cart shortly after entering the store and she prefers to lean on that. So, she would appear "able-bodied" to the average observer. My sister had a very difficult pregnancy. However, she didn't appear pregnant (especially not to people who didn't know her) until very late in her pregnancy, so she too would have likely been someone you judged "able-bodied" even though she would have been correctly using the "new and expectant mothers" spots.
Also, what is a "baby caravan?"-COLLAPSE
When my child was younger, helpful people in the store could make my day. I think people forget just how hard it is to manage the car seat/stroller, the baby carrier, and a cart load of groceries. A grocery store outing can absorb a morning or afternoon. My pet peeves: 1. able bodied people who use the designated baby parking spots 2. people who cut in front of the "baby caravan" in line. 3. Able...+READ
When my child was younger, helpful people in the store could make my day. I think people forget just how hard it is to manage the car seat/stroller, the baby carrier, and a cart load of groceries. A grocery store outing can absorb a morning or afternoon. My pet peeves: 1. able bodied people who use the designated baby parking spots 2. people who cut in front of the "baby caravan" in line. 3. Able bodied people who don't have kids in tow using the handicapped restroom. (baby changing stations are always in that stall.)
The ones who make a mom's day: 1. anyone who offers to carry anything 2. people who realize that you can't easily empty your cart onto the belt while you have a 20 pound baby strapped to your chest. 3. anyone who offers help loading the car. And of course, anyone who smiles at your child. Thanks to anyone making the "hardest job you'll ever love" a little easier.-COLLAPSE
"People who don't keep their carts to the side of the aisle piss me off as do people who still write checks."
People who write checks, really? Do you also hate the people who use cash? Or people who use coupons? Unless you mean those check-writers who wait until they get their total to start writing their check (instead of filling out as much as they can in advance), and then write veeeerrrry...+READ
"People who don't keep their carts to the side of the aisle piss me off as do people who still write checks."
People who write checks, really? Do you also hate the people who use cash? Or people who use coupons? Unless you mean those check-writers who wait until they get their total to start writing their check (instead of filling out as much as they can in advance), and then write veeeerrrry slowly, often asking how to spell the store's name/who to make it out to or checking the total 50 thousand times. If you were talking about them, I'd have to agree, they annoy me too. =P
"#1 pet peeve: people who suck at shopping.
Trouble with the self-checkout? Are you kidding me? Adding non-barcoded items to your basket is basically Googling. There's even image search! No iPhone for you."
Now be fair, a lot of the issues with self-checkout (at least at our local Winn-Dixie and Walmart) have nothing to do with identifying the goods, but rather that the self-checkout is incredibly buggy. Especially when it comes to the weight sensor in the bagging area. 'Course, that is why I don't bother with the self-checkout anymore. It is faster to just stand in line than wait for the "self-checkout cashier" to get around to me.
"Another pet peeve is how many of my local grocery stores have around 15 checkout lanes, but I've never seen more than four of them in operation at any given time, despite the fact that there are certainly days / times of day where it would be appropriate to have many more than four open. What was the point in even constructing so many if you had no intention of ever using them?"
Seconded! Even our local Petco (where I worked for a brief stint as a cashier) has five or six registers at the front, but I never saw more than two open at one time. There were absolutely times when it was necessary, but even then I would be lucky if I got the backup of one other cashier. Ridiculous. So you can be certain that the cashiers at the grocery stores don't like it either when they have huge lines and tons of empty registers.-COLLAPSE
I was behind a woman who paid for a bunch of groceries with food stamps (now an EBT card). She had one $2 item not covered by food stamps and she insisted that under the Constitution, she could not be charged tax on that item. Instead of the store of taking this woman aside to resolve this ridiculous dispute, every customer behind her had to wait until the idiot gave up. I was so mad, I tossed 14...+READ
I was behind a woman who paid for a bunch of groceries with food stamps (now an EBT card). She had one $2 item not covered by food stamps and she insisted that under the Constitution, she could not be charged tax on that item. Instead of the store of taking this woman aside to resolve this ridiculous dispute, every customer behind her had to wait until the idiot gave up. I was so mad, I tossed 14 cents down the conveyor belt.
People who don't keep their carts to the side of the aisle piss me off as do people who still write checks.-COLLAPSE
Some stores are such a zoo it's virtually impossible to not be rude with your cart. At Trader Joe's, there's no way you can get a cart down the aisle within your lifetime. The thing to do is park it in front of some food nobody likes, run around the store and throw all your stuff into it.
A couple other things:
1) If you ram someone with your cart, please say sorry (sincerely). And please try not to hit people with your cart in the first place.
2) Try not to hog the aisle. We all know they give you JUST enough room to pass, keep your cart to the side and do not go aside the cart to shop, thus blocking the aisle.
3) Do not reshelve things you do not want in an area they do not...+READ
A couple other things:
1) If you ram someone with your cart, please say sorry (sincerely). And please try not to hit people with your cart in the first place.
2) Try not to hog the aisle. We all know they give you JUST enough room to pass, keep your cart to the side and do not go aside the cart to shop, thus blocking the aisle.
3) Do not reshelve things you do not want in an area they do not belong. Walk it back to where you found it - esp. frozen food. Have some respect!
4) Be kind to the people who work there. It is disturbing to see people treat say - the fish lady like she is an idiot.
5) Grocery workers be kind to your customers. You give what you get and the day passes far quicker if you are pleasant.
Shout out to my meat department guy and the rest of the meat department in the Safeway on Lincoln in Port Angeles, WA. Incredibly nice, helpful amazing folks!
Shout DOWN to the same store's seafood department older lady shrew who treats customers like they are something the dog left on the doorstep.-COLLAPSE
I do not think thievery is bad etiquette. Why not include how it is bad manners to slip a steak under your dress and then run out the door without passing by the cashier stand?
How about no rude under the breath comments when it is the STORE'S problems that hold up a customer (like they did not put the price right into the computer so a price check must be done, or if something is rung...+READ
I do not think thievery is bad etiquette. Why not include how it is bad manners to slip a steak under your dress and then run out the door without passing by the cashier stand?
How about no rude under the breath comments when it is the STORE'S problems that hold up a customer (like they did not put the price right into the computer so a price check must be done, or if something is rung incorrectly - things not the customers fault) how many are guilty of shooting daggers at the poor customer?
And
If you have a check to write, how about having it ready to go so all you have to do is put the number and sign. Have your id ready!
AND
TOTALLY agree with Mrblueskies. That cashier was a wrong and disgusting.-COLLAPSE
I had a friend in university who hated grocery shopping, so she would just go when it was busy, look into what people had in their carts and steal the cart that had about what she wanted
There are certain days I hate grocery shopping because I know someone is going to do something rude at the store. One time I was buying some organic sun dried tomatoes and a woman was commenting to her husband how expensive they were and what idiots people were to buy them. These were the only sun dried tomatoes the store sold. I ended up just kind of looking at her and she got quiet and walked...+READ
There are certain days I hate grocery shopping because I know someone is going to do something rude at the store. One time I was buying some organic sun dried tomatoes and a woman was commenting to her husband how expensive they were and what idiots people were to buy them. These were the only sun dried tomatoes the store sold. I ended up just kind of looking at her and she got quiet and walked away.
As far as pushing carts, I will move someone's cart in a store if it's in front of an item I need or is blocking the aisle and the owner of the cart is no where around it.
I get annoyed with people eating food before they paid for it, too. Opening a bag of chips isn't so bad but when I worked at a grocery store I would have people bring me grape stems to try and pay for the grapes they ate. Those are sold by weight! You can't pay for them after you eat them. I actually went and got some grapes from the produce section and weighed those to charge them.-COLLAPSE
I have a friend who will pick something up and then later decide she doesn't want it so she dumps it wherever she is, instead of putting it back where it belongs. I hate that.
And to ljamunds: the cashier was dead wrong to say anything to the child but deliberately mislabeling the almonds is theft any way you look at it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that opening up and eating a package of before it's been paid for is rude!
Did a small stint working seafood at a local market. ( A retirement job) My ultimate story is of the shopper with two carts: parked one of them with her two toddlers in front of the lobster tank, which supposedly would keep them occupied for a while gazing, while she went shopping. Course the kids were crawling all over the cart, verging on jumping over the side, etc, etc. I called the manager,...+READ
Did a small stint working seafood at a local market. ( A retirement job) My ultimate story is of the shopper with two carts: parked one of them with her two toddlers in front of the lobster tank, which supposedly would keep them occupied for a while gazing, while she went shopping. Course the kids were crawling all over the cart, verging on jumping over the side, etc, etc. I called the manager, he got on the loudspeaker, and the very irate shopper left in a huff.-COLLAPSE
"Honestly, I dont think the cashier actually said to the baby 'your mother is a thief' and if she did, the child is unlikely to remember."
So if she's telling the truth, she's sort of horrid, and if not, she's a liar. I still think it's rude and inappropriate for something as minor as mislabelling some damned almonds.
Honestly, I dont think the cashier actually said to the baby "your mother is a thief" and if she did, the child is unlikely to remember. Aside from being dishonest (which is far beyond breaking a rule of etiquette) the customer's order should have been "suspended" in the system, the cart set aside, and she should either go back to get the "right" item or be charged the accurate price for the type...+READ
Honestly, I dont think the cashier actually said to the baby "your mother is a thief" and if she did, the child is unlikely to remember. Aside from being dishonest (which is far beyond breaking a rule of etiquette) the customer's order should have been "suspended" in the system, the cart set aside, and she should either go back to get the "right" item or be charged the accurate price for the type of item she bought. Leaving a baby along in a cart anywhere is ridiculous.
As for kids in the store, the stores themselves will NEVER discourage this practice. It is a statistical fact that women who shop with their children stay longer and buy more. That's why there are those little tyke shopping carts, free cookies in the bakery, and the most sugar-laden cereals shelved at kids-eye level.
On this point, however, I do have a pet peeve -- why do you NEED to bring the whole family to the store with you, especially on a busy Saturday afternoon? We have Central Market here in Houston, and on the weekends, you can't even get into the parking lot of this place. People with toddlers and babies in carriers bring along both parents, one of whom is usually just standing around, in the way. I understand that many women cannot afford to pay someone to watch the kids while they dash to the store. But if dad is free to come to the store, his time is better spent (IMHO) having some quality time AT HOME with his little darlings, instead of slowing down the shopping process for the rest of us, in the name of having a family outing.-COLLAPSE
Orchid64, the cart gazing happens a lot at the Costco I shop at, especially when the lines are long. But I've never given or received the judgemental looks, guess I've been lucky so far. Where I live, near Philadelphia, folks aren't always as friendly as they can be in other areas, even in other parts of PA, but something about the cart ogling brings out the friendliness of strangers, at least...+READ
Orchid64, the cart gazing happens a lot at the Costco I shop at, especially when the lines are long. But I've never given or received the judgemental looks, guess I've been lucky so far. Where I live, near Philadelphia, folks aren't always as friendly as they can be in other areas, even in other parts of PA, but something about the cart ogling brings out the friendliness of strangers, at least for me. I've had bored people in line at Costco ask me about stuff in my cart or compliment me on my purse and the vibes have been good. I used to love to sit at the Costco food court and watch the carts go by. Sometimes big trees would go wheeling past! I'm not very outgoing but once at the Acme a mother and son were unloading cartons and cartons of nothing but ice cream. There was a sale. I beamed at them and called out "you two get enough ice cream?". They grinned at me. Acme shoppers are the best!-COLLAPSE
I live near a large (very large) retirement community that is right next to a large grocery store. I think that the store is the only place these folks see each other judging from the way they group in the aisles with their carts and talk and talk and talk, oblivious to anyone trying to get past them. The other thing that is irritating is watching them argue about whether something cost a penny...+READ
I live near a large (very large) retirement community that is right next to a large grocery store. I think that the store is the only place these folks see each other judging from the way they group in the aisles with their carts and talk and talk and talk, oblivious to anyone trying to get past them. The other thing that is irritating is watching them argue about whether something cost a penny more or less that rang up at the register. I try to shop late at night or very early on Sunday morning just to avoid them. And don't eve get me going about those who insist on using a credit card but can't figure out how to swipe it through the reader and hit the right buttons to finish the transaction. I think they exist only so God can give me practice at being patent.-COLLAPSE
#1 pet peeve: people who suck at shopping.
Trouble with the self-checkout? Are you kidding me? Adding non-barcoded items to your basket is basically Googling. There's even image search! No iPhone for you.
It is quite easy to be courteous of other shoppers when navigating the cart in the aisles, and always standing in a way that leaves space for other shoppers to pass through. Yet a large percentage of shoppers routinely act as though there are no others in the store who may have only a brief interval to complete their own shopping. Cell phone chatters are especially oblivious, and the lack of...+READ
It is quite easy to be courteous of other shoppers when navigating the cart in the aisles, and always standing in a way that leaves space for other shoppers to pass through. Yet a large percentage of shoppers routinely act as though there are no others in the store who may have only a brief interval to complete their own shopping. Cell phone chatters are especially oblivious, and the lack of civility shown by such selfishness makes shopping as unpleasant as it is expensive.-COLLAPSE
How about the person behind you in the check out line who keeps hitting you with their cart. Do they think this will make the line move faster?
Interesting piece, but equally valid would be an article on "etiquette gaffes" committed by the employees of grocery stores -- I'm looking at you, BiRite, where you will find more than a few cynical hipsters working behind the counter.
I think looking at the contents of other customers' carts and then shooting them any sort of judgmental look should be added to the list of bad manners in markets. Seriously, people should mind their own business and keep their noses out of other people's food choices.
I once returned to my cart to find a couple finishing emptying it onto a nearby shelf; they then made off with the cart. They did not look like the kind of people you would want to attempt to reason with, so I just got myself another cart.
Sounds like we can add yet another gaffe to the almond thief; going back to the bulk aisle and leaving her one-year old sitting at the register.
I find that the 4-6pm crowd at the supermarket are the worst, probably because they are hungry, tired and need to get home to feed their families. But it's still not excusable. The best time seems to be after 7pm on a weekday or before 9am on Sunday.
Great topic Helena! I agree with queencru and ljamunds about the cashier insulting the kid's mother. Righteous indignation at it's finest. I'm frankly horrified. I live in the NE USA in the same general area as Chefpaulo and I'll never forget the time I saw a crazed woman ram really forcefully into a cart with a one year old in it. I could see the dad of the child fighting for self control and...+READ
Great topic Helena! I agree with queencru and ljamunds about the cashier insulting the kid's mother. Righteous indignation at it's finest. I'm frankly horrified. I live in the NE USA in the same general area as Chefpaulo and I'll never forget the time I saw a crazed woman ram really forcefully into a cart with a one year old in it. I could see the dad of the child fighting for self control and how he restrained himself I'll never know. This was in a fairly upscale store in Towamencin. While I strongly disagree with tatamagouche's take on the name calling cashier, I have to agree that the people are nicer at my local acme than at the whole foods, trader joe's and wegman's I sometimes shop at. The well-heeled customers seem to have more of an "out of my way" sense of entitlement. On the other hand I was attempting to enter a thrift store on monday and a woman was blocking the entire entryway with her cart sidewise while talking on her cell phone. I managed to weave around her, she wasn't budging for anyone. I agree with galeskj about looking up produce with the self scanner. Wow is that annoying. The scanner's voice is pretty grating in english so I usually set it to spanish, too bad I don't know spanish. :) I have had the pleasure of doing a bit of shopping with chefpaulo once at Assi plaza and he was, as befitting a fellow chowhound, a complete gentleman. Unfortunately we are preaching to the choir here. The people who need to read this never will.-COLLAPSE
anyone else think the mom leaving the child at the check-out with a clerk who has called her on an honesty issue doesn't quite ring true somehow?
First of all, the kid was a year old. What was said at the checkout stays at the checkout. Anyway, his/her mother was a thief. Is it an insult when it's the truth?
I say that somewhat jokingly. Anyway, aspects of this topic have come up, but the same could be said of any thread on any board; I think this version of it's interesting.
Maybe I'm being a reverse snob here, but does anyone find...+READ
First of all, the kid was a year old. What was said at the checkout stays at the checkout. Anyway, his/her mother was a thief. Is it an insult when it's the truth?
I say that somewhat jokingly. Anyway, aspects of this topic have come up, but the same could be said of any thread on any board; I think this version of it's interesting.
Maybe I'm being a reverse snob here, but does anyone find it's 5 times worse in Whole Foods than in the average supermarket?-COLLAPSE
My issues with grocery stores :
1 - People writing a check in the express lane. Checks are not very expressy.
2 - People who go into the express lane with a full cart of groceries, or express lanes that allow 20 items. If you have 20 items, you should not be in the express lane.
3 - The grocery store near me installed 4 self check out lanes, and lately there has not been a single express...+READ
My issues with grocery stores :
1 - People writing a check in the express lane. Checks are not very expressy.
2 - People who go into the express lane with a full cart of groceries, or express lanes that allow 20 items. If you have 20 items, you should not be in the express lane.
3 - The grocery store near me installed 4 self check out lanes, and lately there has not been a single express lane open. I try not to buy prepared food, so my selections typically do not have bar codes on them. Using their computer menu system to find even four or five produce items is a royal pain.-COLLAPSE
As to the bulk foods....I have found the roast almonds I buy in bulk have been a bit rancid tasting, or old. So I pay a little more and buy them in packages at Trader Joe's. I guess the bulk stuff might move slowly and can get old...............
I like to help bag my own groceries simply because it gives me something to do while my groceries are being scanned. Of course I spent three years in Germany where if you had to bag your own groceries always and if you were too slow about it the customers behind you would start grumbling in German at you. When I first moved back, I tried to bag my own and that was frowned upon. Now, if you bring...+READ
I like to help bag my own groceries simply because it gives me something to do while my groceries are being scanned. Of course I spent three years in Germany where if you had to bag your own groceries always and if you were too slow about it the customers behind you would start grumbling in German at you. When I first moved back, I tried to bag my own and that was frowned upon. Now, if you bring your own bags, nobody cares and the bagger will work cheerfully right alongside you, at least in my local markets.-COLLAPSE
I think one of the drawbacks of having people weigh/label their own food is that people are going to pick the wrong item- either intentionally or by accident. That doesn't make it acceptable for a cashier to tell a customer's child that his mother is a thief. It serves no real purpose.
It's not only high-end grocery stores that have baggers. Some regular stores like Publix also have dedicated...+READ
I think one of the drawbacks of having people weigh/label their own food is that people are going to pick the wrong item- either intentionally or by accident. That doesn't make it acceptable for a cashier to tell a customer's child that his mother is a thief. It serves no real purpose.
It's not only high-end grocery stores that have baggers. Some regular stores like Publix also have dedicated baggers to help move things along more quickly.-COLLAPSE
@Kater, you are right about the lack of open lanes. These stores usually have poorly trained staff as well. One thing you pay for at high end stores like Whole Foods ("Whole Paycheck") is ample lines of well-trained employees who bag well and bag efficiently. I never have to wait very long to checkout at those stores. At the regular store, I will wait in line for 15 minutes, and then get a crappy...+READ
@Kater, you are right about the lack of open lanes. These stores usually have poorly trained staff as well. One thing you pay for at high end stores like Whole Foods ("Whole Paycheck") is ample lines of well-trained employees who bag well and bag efficiently. I never have to wait very long to checkout at those stores. At the regular store, I will wait in line for 15 minutes, and then get a crappy bagging job. Either that, or use their self-checkout machines that never work right.-COLLAPSE
I'm sorry, on what planet is it acceptable to insult a woman to her child for mislabelling some overpriced almonds? That girl should be fired. Ooh, big brass ones you've got, waiting 'til the woman had gone to tell her kid that her mother's a thief.
Agree 100% with thomas64. We've read this before. And it seems that, for me, most etiquette "questions" have already been answered by life experience, awarness of courtesy and common sense.
Blogs run their gamut and this may have as well.
thomas: I assume that this letter was actually written by a writer. We're a dramatic bunch here on the Table Manners column at times, and what constituted "shoving" was probably two people vying for the same fruit or vegetable and getting in each others' way.
My biggest pet peeve in grocery stores is people who insist on making it impossible for me to get by them, whether it's because they've...+READ
thomas: I assume that this letter was actually written by a writer. We're a dramatic bunch here on the Table Manners column at times, and what constituted "shoving" was probably two people vying for the same fruit or vegetable and getting in each others' way.
My biggest pet peeve in grocery stores is people who insist on making it impossible for me to get by them, whether it's because they've stretched their stationary cart out to block the entire aisle, or because they insist on walking very slowly down the centre of an aisle or next to a friend, rendering it impossible to pass them.
Another pet peeve is how many of my local grocery stores have around 15 checkout lanes, but I've never seen more than four of them in operation at any given time, despite the fact that there are certainly days / times of day where it would be appropriate to have many more than four open. What was the point in even constructing so many if you had no intention of ever using them?-COLLAPSE
Helena, you must stop tempting me to rant about grocery stores that charge $200 for a couple of bags of food and expect me to pack it up my damned self. For those prices, someone should follow me home and unload the car for me!
And another thing! You have failed to mention the single most infuriating grocery store gaffe: Parents who allow their children to take a cart of their own and push it...+READ
Helena, you must stop tempting me to rant about grocery stores that charge $200 for a couple of bags of food and expect me to pack it up my damned self. For those prices, someone should follow me home and unload the car for me!
And another thing! You have failed to mention the single most infuriating grocery store gaffe: Parents who allow their children to take a cart of their own and push it around the store.
To be clear, my son helps me shop. He is efficient, courteous and knows how to find the best mango. But I would never give him his own cart because that's just dumb. The parents who think it's cute to give junior a cart never have well behaved pleasant children. They have the sort of spawn you would like to imprison behind the glass of the frozen foods display.
Now I'm all riled up. Thanks a lot!
p.s. In fairness to shoppers everywhere I think you need to include the grocery stores' foibles in a future column. Grossly understaffed deli counters, absurdly narrow aisles, failure to open additional check out lines during peak hours...-COLLAPSE
"The store was crowded, and I observed people shoving others’ carts out of their way, shoving each other, and generally acting uncivil."
Oh please. Shoppers shoving each other? Really? Sounds like a fake question to top another installment of Helena's "gaffe" series. After some reader criticism of previous installments, Chow went to back to the standard letter format of Helena's column. Now,...+READ
"The store was crowded, and I observed people shoving others’ carts out of their way, shoving each other, and generally acting uncivil."
Oh please. Shoppers shoving each other? Really? Sounds like a fake question to top another installment of Helena's "gaffe" series. After some reader criticism of previous installments, Chow went to back to the standard letter format of Helena's column. Now, we have another installment, this time with a "question" attached. I wonder which Chow staffer wrote the question?-COLLAPSE