Grocery store etiquette

[sumbirdy]

We went into a grocery store today and it looked like they had what seemed to be 2 thirteen year old boys there. I don't think it would have bothered me quite as much if they were actually mature and doing their job. It's a small store and you could hear them running around the store. The cashiers had to go over the speaker several times while we were there (which was only for about 20 min) telling them to come back and bag some groceries. They were shoving each other around the store, one shoved the other so hard he almost ran into an elderly lady. They were also making perverted jokes to each other with little children nearby! They should fire them and give the jobs to two people that actually need them. I have never seen anything like that before. I've seen workers in stores joke with one another but it was always clean, in no way harming anyone, and they were always doing there job at the same time. Luckily that store is not one we shop in often.


Mom is one of those people that just stop in the middle of the aisle where no one can get around. I always have to move it for her. And usually apoligize to the people behind us.

[Catlady711]

Worst one I ever saw?

I was checking out at a store and the entire time the CASHIER was on the cell phone. I had to lean over to see her display just to find out my total. She never once acknowledged me.

[jennielynn1970]

Worst one I ever saw?

I was checking out at a store and the entire time the CASHIER was on the cell phone. I had to lean over to see her display just to find out my total. She never once acknowledged me.

Dang!!! That would never be allowed at our store! At our store, you don't even get a "warning" any longer, if they are caught texting or talking on the phone, they just get sent home. It is mostly the teens who have issues with this. I, for one, have my cell phone for emergencies. I really don't like talking on the phone at all anymore. I avoid my house phone as well (maybe too many bill collectors?! ).

Bagging is an issue for me. You can't please anyone any longer. I have some people who insist on using paper bags, which we are "discouraged" from having out. I have others who insist on paper in plastic. Fine, whatever. I have others who insist on double paper and double plastic together. That one, I don't get. It's a waste.

I have some people who insist on putting the frozen foods in a paper bag. UMMMMM.... is it just me, or do the thawing packages not make your paper bag a big soggy?

I've had other people take a bunch of folded paper bags home because they needed "recycle" bags. I've had others who take a bunch of the plastic bags that haven't been used, just rip them off the bagging area. Ummm... can you say cheap. Everything extra adds up to higher prices that the stores are going to charge.

Honestly, the ones who really tick me off, are the ones who see there are no baggers available, they have a HUGE order, and they stand there and do absolutely nothing, and huff and sigh because you don't bag their stuff fast enough. Lazy, lazy, lazy, lazy. If you have a baby in your arms, or you're older, or have a handicap, that's one thing. If you are able bodied, know that the store is busy and that the line is going on forever behind your order, a little help from you would be appreciated. I don't get a ton of these, but enough that they annoy me (and they are almost always women... make of that what you will).


I like the idea of the carts being a pay as you go thing, and you get your deposit back. That's good.

[Ginger's Mom]

Worst one I ever saw?

I was checking out at a store and the entire time the CASHIER was on the cell phone. I had to lean over to see her display just to find out my total. She never once acknowledged me.

Yes, that has happened to me, too. I am still not sure how I managed to walk out of the store without demanding to see the manager.

[jennielynn1970]

We went into a grocery store today and it looked like they had what seemed to be 2 thirteen year old boys there. I don't think it would have bothered me quite as much if they were actually mature and doing their job. It's a small store and you could hear them running around the store. The cashiers had to go over the speaker several times while we were there (which was only for about 20 min) telling them to come back and bag some groceries. They were shoving each other around the store, one shoved the other so hard he almost ran into an elderly lady. They were also making perverted jokes to each other with little children nearby! They should fire them and give the jobs to two people that actually need them. I have never seen anything like that before. I've seen workers in stores joke with one another but it was always clean, in no way harming anyone, and they were always doing there job at the same time. Luckily that store is not one we shop in often.

That's management not doing their job. They should tell the kids to either do their jobs, watch their language, or leave for the day. If they can't do that when they are there, then they should find another job, or if they're 13, mature a little more and then get a job. Some of our baggers are younger kids, like 16, and they are goofy, but they are definitely kept on top of. We're all discouraged of talking while working. Sometimes if it's late at night, and it's more relaxed and no one has anyone in the lines, we'll chat a bit, but usually there is someone there. We're a 24/7 grocery store, and we're by a few colleges, so we get a lot of business. Haven't done an overnight yet, but I know if they aren't busy they do stocking upfront, cleaning and stuff.

[ChrisH]

For all those reasons I do my grocery shopping online, at either Tesco or Asda, from the warmth and comfort of home. It's extra great Christmas time.

[pomtzu]

The aisle blockers are my biggest peeve - 2 people going in opposite directions just have to stop and chat and get annoyed if you politely ask to get by. Maybe they would relate more to being rude to them.
The out of control screaming kids being screamed at by their out of control screaming parents. I don't know which is worse!!!
The "ankle busters" - following so close behind you that when you stop - you get rammed with their cart. OUCH!
And of course don't forget the baggers with not an ounce of common sense who pack the cleaning products in with the food products, or the shampoo in with the eggs - only to discover when you get home that the top of the shampoo bottle popped open. Get the picture on that one???

[moosmom]

Where I work, we are not allowed to have our cellphones on the floor. That means, not in our pockets turned off...NOTHING.

Another BIG peeve of mine is when someone comes up to my register talking on the cellphone and expects me to unload their cart. I refuse to wait on anyone who is on their cellphone not paying attention. I'll just stand there and stare at them. When they look at me, I simply say, "That must be important, I'll wait till you're done." You should see how fast they hang up. I think it's rude. I don't do it when I'm shopping so I expect people to give me the same courtesy.

I've noticed that Americans have become very lazy. Having worked in retail for 3 years, I think I've seen it all. From what you guys are saying, I guess I have yet more to learn.

Only in America.

[Medusa]

I had no idea of the can of worms I was opening up. Well, maybe it's good that we get these things off our chests, eh?

[Scooter's Mom]

I use coupons a lot. When I get to the register, people behind me huff and puff about having to wait an extra 1-3 minutes while the cashier rings up my coupons that save me anywhere from $10-$40 per order. I try to be courteous and tell the person in line behind me, "I have coupons so it may take an extra moment." Sometimes they huff and puff and leave the line! In today's economy, you'd think that everyone would be couponing! It really saves a ton of money.

[RedHedd]

Plastic bags have now been outlawed in San Francisco. I never did like them - the crackling drives me nuts! The few times my store ran out of paper bags, I ended up with 20 bazillion little plastic bags that just flop around all over my trunk.

When S.F. made the switch to no plastic, the stores were handing out cloth bags for us to reuse. I learned my lesson there - the baggers thought they were being oh-so-helpful trying to load my whole order into one bag. They became so heavy I couldn't lift them! So now I reuse the paper bags and the stores are using sturdier paper bags that can be reused many times.

I miss the old days when the clerk unloaded your cart, counted the change back to you properly, bagged your order and offered to help you out to your car. Now only Trader Joe's will unload your cart for you.

[kitten645]

I work at a grocery store and can attest to all the above It really all comes down to being oblivious to those around you and downright rudeness.
I can add the the list with the kids running thru the store picking up things and dumping them wherever. Stepping on things, opening packages Running up and down the handicap ramp. Mothers completely oblivious.

Additionally, the people that stuff their faces on samples from one end of the store to the other. People with 12 empty sample cups walking around. Better yet, the ones that dump the empty cups anywhere they please..in magazine racks, counter tops, bread bins. It's just disgusting. Empty or half empty coffee cups as well.

A friend of mine once told me "Working retail, you soon realize that Americans SUCK! " LOL. Well, there are the nice ones too. We have customers that make us cakes and stuff. Sorta funny being in a grocery store there's tons to eat but it's the thought

[caseysmom]

Plastic bags have now been outlawed in San Francisco. I never did like them - the crackling drives me nuts! The few times my store ran out of paper bags, I ended up with 20 bazillion little plastic bags that just flop around all over my trunk.

When S.F. made the switch to no plastic, the stores were handing out cloth bags for us to reuse. I learned my lesson there - the baggers thought they were being oh-so-helpful trying to load my whole order into one bag. They became so heavy I couldn't lift them! So now I reuse the paper bags and the stores are using sturdier paper bags that can be reused many times.

I miss the old days when the clerk unloaded your cart, counted the change back to you properly, bagged your order and offered to help you out to your car. Now only Trader Joe's will unload your cart for you.

Here in the sacramento area we have bel air/raleys and their customer service is really great ...the prices suck though... they do unload the cart and ask you about ten times if you need help out

[Medusa]

They hardly ever ask if we need help loading our groceries into our car. We have to ask them. I hardly ever ask for help because it's usually teenage kids who are so slow that they make me look like the Roadrunner. If I have an unusually large order and the weather is brutal, I may ask for help but I usually go it alone. I don't even care about that, really. It isn't the store employees that give me cause for complaint. It's always been shoppers who are oblivious to the fact that other people exist.