Grocery store etiquette

[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.

[shepgirl]

Another big one that I forgot is when I'm trying to get my groceries done and parents have these wailing kids in tow who run into people until they are put in the basket, then the screaming starts, so to quiet them down the moms take a bag of cookies, chips, or whatever off the shelf, open it and let the kids help themselves. This disgusts me to no end.

[sumbirdy]

the moms take a bag of cookies, chips, or whatever off the shelf, open it and let the kids help themselves. This disgusts me to no end.

Actually Sam Walton likes people to do this in Wal-Mart (as long as you pay for it of course) Supposedly makes them shop longer. We learned that from a cashier. We sometime let Nathan eat some goldfish crackers in Wal-Mart if we run over time and shop through lunch. The only thing I find disgusting is when parents do this and then put it back on the shelf half empty. Don't even pay for it or anything. But if you're going to pay for it anyway, and no one's dropping it all over the floor, then why not?

[Cataholic]

Another big one that I forgot is when I'm trying to get my groceries done and parents have these wailing kids in tow who run into people until they are put in the basket, then the screaming starts, so to quiet them down the moms take a bag of cookies, chips, or whatever off the shelf, open it and let the kids help themselves. This disgusts me to no end.

I am single (by choice), work a full time job, and have a 4 year old. There are times that mandate I shop for food. I can't always judge my child's hunger level appropriately, and sometimes that little bugger wants some crackers/juice/water you name it, with no regard for a schedule!

I find it much easier to plunk the little one in the bascart, give him the juice and a light snack and shop away. Works for me, works for him, I am spending the money at the store- so, I presume it works for the store, too.

I am proud to say that in 4 years, I have *never* not returned a cart to the corral when out shopping. I just park right next to the the corral and putting the cart away, while safely keeping an eye on my child, isn't an issue. I don't understand the whole, "I have a child so I can't be concerned about your property" issue.

On the issue of cell phones in the store- I use my phone with courtesy. That might mean I hang up, it might mean I don't answer the phone, etc. But, what gets me is how the cashier can't hardly lift her eyes to meet mine, or open her mouth loud enough to issue an audible, "hello". The paying customer is often times the reason you have a job!