(Part one of two parts)
Did you even know that there was such a thing as “grocery store etiquette”? It’s kind of sad that we need to be reminded; but here goes.
Just like there are rules for driving on the road or highway, there are rules for grocery shopping as well. The grocery store experience can be frustrating and awkward for many people. It can be difficult to navigate the aisles and find what you are looking for; especially if the items keep being moved to different locations. I once heard a shopper say out loud, “where did they move the bread to this time?”
Shopping for groceries can also be a more pleasant and relaxing experience. If all goes well, and everyone behaves, grocery shopping can almost be therapeutic.
Now is the time for shoppers to pay closer attention to their manners while filling up their carts. If we each do our part, the shopping experience will be more enjoyable for everyone.
The next time you go to the grocery store, plan ahead, stay calm, and try a few of these common-sense and polite suggestions:
• Stay to the right.
• Greet other shoppers you know, but avoid a full-blown 30-minute conversation.
• Push, don’t pull your grocery cart.
• At the grocery aisle intersection, slow down, look both ways, and proceed with caution.
• Keep your distance from the person checking out in front of you.
• The “express” lane really is for those making smaller purchases.
• At the pharmacy, do not ask other customers about their medical issues.
• Always put the grocery cart back into the designated spot.
• Don’t block the aisles.
• Make sure your children are behaving.
• Be polite to the check-out clerks.
• Don’t use your cell phone at the check-out.
• Take only one sample when samples are offered.
• Have coupons clipped ahead of time.
• Have a credit card or check ready.
• Don’t consume food before you pay for it.
• The parking lot is not a race track.
• Don’t leave your cart sitting there unattended while you walk around to select items.
• Stay with your cart and keep your cart with you.
• If you feel sick, or have COVID symptoms, stay homºe.
Make sure to read next week’s column. We will address the high cost of groceries and what to do about it.
