Supermarket shopping "etiquette"
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free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:14 am

Am I the only one who gets pissed off by inconsiderate shoppers at the grocery store? At first I thought it was only men who committed in the infractions, which is understandable because most of them will only set foot inside the supermarket under extreme duress, when their wives call and tell them to stop and pick up milk, bread, a toothbrush and a box of Tampex on the way home from work. But then I noticed more and more women exhibiting the same obnoxious and inconsiderate behavior and that started me wondering if I were indeed the only person in the universe who tried to behave toward my fellow shoppers in the manner that I would like to be treated....

• stop in aisles for no reason
• park basket in the middle of aisle so nobody can get by
• reckless driving (failing to stop/yield at "intersections," allowing pecker-headed children to ram their overloaded shopping cart into the back of some poor shopper's heel, crippling them for life and failing to apologize let alone reprimand their unholy little terrors)

Make no mistake that these behaviors irritate me to the point where the next time someone stops their basket in the middle of a narrowest and most crowded aisle in the store while checking the labels for carb content or yakking on the cell phone, completely oblivious to other shoppers trying to squeeze past or nudge the obstacle from the center of the aisle with their own carts, I may actually find myself overcome with road rage whereupon I will either RAM your basket over into the next aisle, or I will run your sorry ass down with my cart for being a jackass!! Just because you have all the time in the world to shuffle down every aisle in the store and peruse every label on every product in the inventory, doesn't mean that the rest of us aren't in a hurry to get home and catch the latest episode of "House" or "Lost" or "CSI."

Or what about the parents who allow their children to run amok with the grocery cart, slamming it into the back of an unsuspecting customer's heel causing grievous, near-crippling injury while mom or dad is blabbing on the aforementioned cell phone in the middle of the aisle?!

So, am I overreacting and the existence of grocery store etiquette exists merely in my own mind or does anyone else understand the frustrating behaviors that I'm talking about?

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:10 am

Lol

No you aren't the only one who feels this way. This is why I avoid all Walmarts like the plague. Luckily the Kroger's I go to isn't usually very crowded so I don't have to deal with this much anymore. I'm probably more annoyed by the fact that I can never pick the fastest checkout line. It never fails I'll pick the one with the fewest people/products and lo and behold the person will have a coupon for every freakin item. Or they'll fuss about an item ringing up for a few cents more than what the sign on the shelf said and now makes everyone else wait for the manager to fix it. Mad

I understand that some people have financial problems, both others just need to GET A LIFE!

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:44 pm

You're not alone, sadly enough. Being the "super-fast-walking-let's-get-this-done-NOW" type, I cannot stand when people stop short in front of me without moving aside. I also hate the shopping-cart-in-the-middle-of-the-aisle thing and generally believe that I'm entitled to move the cart aside if it's in my way. But of course, I do this without any overt aggression--I generally try to be mindful of the fact that I am not the only person on earth! People are sooo thoughtless, careless and just plain rude these days--thinking about it further will just make my blood boil futilely.

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:25 pm

I'm a real bitch is the super market. You leave your crap in the middle of the isle I'll ram my cart into it so I can get past. Stop in front of me and I will hit your butt with my cart....Kids? I tend to just give the parents really dirty looks. Oh yeah, if you walk slow I'll stomp my feet when I walk behind you, or make my shoes squeak if the floor is wet or my shoes are wet. Laughing

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:57 pm

Oh boy.... here I go.

Let's not forget the folks who buy $50 worth of scratch tickets at 7:30am at the gas station when you're trying to get to work. Better yet, they buy more scratch tickets with the winnings from the scratch tickets they just bought, and it goes on and on and on until someone in the growing line behind them (ahem... me) huffs so loudly that the floor shakes.

And then there's the shopping cart monster ... the one who thinks she's the only one shopping and anyone coming in the opposite direction has to yield or face death. Well, I could only take so much of this last Christmas at Walmart, when I yielded one too many times and realized I hadn't bought anything yet b/c I was so busy yielding. So I continued at the same pace as the monster coming at me until our carts crashed, at which point I explained to her that it was her turn to yield, that I had yielded enough, that it was my time to shop, and to have a happy holiday. She yielded.

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:55 pm

oh those are all great!! I find SuperStore the worst - both sides of the aisle are blocked. What gets me are the people who use the express lane with 20 items when you only have 5. Grr that makes me very irritated.

TAMgirl99 - I totally get your never being able to pick the fastest checkout lane. I get stuck behind someone with no bar code or the cashier doesn't know what code to punch in for the weird looking veggies.

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:48 pm

I wonder if I might be a shopping cart monster.... Confused

free skin care · Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:30 pm

I never take my son to the store....he's a good kid, but they all become little monsters in the grocery store. I wish more parents would leave their kids at home!!!

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:53 am

none of you should EVER go to the markets in paris! it's a very darwinistic, last-man-standing, kind of mentality.

went with my BF one saturday and he had the cart. i was kneeling in the refrigerated section, looking at the fresh pastas, and he gently nudged me with the cart. no response from me. he hit me a little harder; still no response. harder; no response. he finally, in frustration, rammed into me. i STILL didn't respond. he said my name, i looked up, smiled, and said, 'how long have you been here?' he was utterly amazed that none of his cart bashing had registered on me. it's been nearly a year, and i've learned.... ignore everything!

that said, i swear the worst at the check-out counters are the americans. they do the exact thing they do back home, talk LOUDLY on the cell, want to pay for certain items a different way, etc., and also wait for someone to bag their items for them (you do it yourself here and you better be damned quick about it). it mortifies me! luckily, i've learned the french nonchalance, a secret smile at the cashier, discreet rolling of the eyes, sometimes a wink, and they never catch on that i'm american too. Bad Grin

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:36 am

Ugh, I have the same problems! The loud cell talking is especially obnoxious. What is it about grocery shopping that brings out the worst in people? Just the other day I motioned for a man to proceed to the line because we arrived at the same time. He motioned for me to go, instead, and as it took me more than he wished for it to register he started shouting at me "GO GO GO GO GO"! Jeez!!

Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:12 am

lianne wrote:

I'm a real bitch is the super market. You leave your crap in the middle of the isle I'll ram my cart into it so I can get past. Stop in front of me and I will hit your butt with my cart....Kids? I tend to just give the parents really dirty looks. Oh yeah, if you walk slow I'll stomp my feet when I walk behind you, or make my shoes squeak if the floor is wet or my shoes are wet. Laughing

Classic!

Carrie - I feel your pain! I hate it when people park their shopping trolley in the middle of the aisle. Mind you, they just can't win because I truly hate it when they park it against the shelf as well and are totally ignorant of the fact that I am wanting what is on the shelf behind their trolley (while they stand there and read whatever the ingredients are on a can of baked beans....).

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:29 am

lianne wrote:

Stop in front of me and I will hit your butt with my cart....

Oh, that's good -- I'll have to try that one when I hit the grocery store on Friday night after work! Thanks for the idea!

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 5:32 am

oh wow, you guys should come on over to Costco in Japan ... on a weekend.. or better on a wet day on the weekend.. oh lord, it would be justifiable homicide... the kids... Mad

the kids... great ad for contraception. The screaming, the pushing, the bawling... argh. It is enough to make the blood pressure rise just thinking about it. Laughing

But it is heartening to know that it is as bad over there as here. I dunno, never really experienced rude or obnoxious people when shopping on the Gold Coast when I go back to Oz, but Tokyo is H-E-L-L.

Especially the BABA (middle-aged old bats with no shame) they are horrendous... even worse when they have some bratty grandkid in tow.

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:29 am

Gosh after reading all of this I've some to realize I'm a whip of some sort at the store. Yes I get aggravated and yes I get really PO when the shopping cart monster heads done the aisle AT ME and won't move to the side. What do I do? I say, "oh excuse me" and move over..sheesh I'm pitiful. I mean ladies I'm the gal who is nice and considerate but I think I may change my tune!

I can't stand the shopper who walks SOOOOOO
S L O W down the MIDDLE of the aisle---hurry up already and MOVE OVER!!!

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:44 am

It must be mandatory to talk LOUDLY on your cell phone while in the grocery store because every single person - even little old grannies - seems to do it. I especially like the ones with the headsets who walk around looking like they're talking to themselves. And of course all of them are so engrossed in their conversations that they pay NO attention to anything else around them.

And what is it about people who seem to totally forget that they have to PAY for their items when they get to the checkout? The ones that wait until the cashier gives them the total before they start digging s-l-o-w-l-y in their purse for their checkbook. Oh, and then realize that they need a pen - repeat same slow digging. Finally get the check written - oops, need ID. Fill out everything except the total beforehand, people! Better yet, use cash or a debit card. And if you haven't already gathered all your coupons together before it's your turn at the checkout, don't bother with them!

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 4:52 pm

Down here the aisles are so narrow it can be really frustrating under normal circumstances but when somebody from one end of the island meets up with a cousin from the other end coming the other way and they stop with their carts beside each other to catch up on all the family news - forget it, you're not going to get by. The ship with groceries arrives once a week or every two weeks and everybody rushes to the store to get all the good stuff before it's gone. I'm in the habit now of leaving my cart at one end and walking down the aisle to pick up the things I need so I don't get stuck in the middle!

My real pet peeve is aircraft etiquette! Why do people always grab the back of the seat in front of them to get in and out of their seat? It is so easy to grab their own seat back for balance and slide in without giving me whiplash in the seat in front. The kicking has to stop too. It's not just kids. The last time we flew to Miami we were in first class and the man behind me was loud and couldn't keep still. Even with all that legroom he kept kicking my seat. Once or twice can be overlooked but consistently bumping the seat in front throughout the flight is rude and the offender should be offered a lifevest and kicked out over the ocean!

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:06 pm

ooh.. airplanes... what I HATE the most is when someone takes of their shoes to reveal their STINKY FEET and the proceed to put them up on the seat in front of them - right in the middle break between two seats so the feet actually stick through between the two back cushions. Shame on you

I have had that happen in both business and economy class..solution? well, if in economy and you are sitting beside a friend just raise the armrest (preferably jamming those little toe jammies as you go). Bad Grin

Otherwise a fairly loud "oh my god, what is that SMELL!?" said to no-one in particular or the more obvious "Excuse me, but could you please remove your feet from my seat? The smell is making me nauseous" usually work. :-&

free skin care · Tue Apr 04, 2006 10:03 pm

LOL - this is the comedic relief I needed tonight!

I have the same pet peeves without a doubt.

This last holiday season I was at the dreaded toy store 4 days before Christmas. Insanity, I know but I had no choice.

Apparently I wasn't the only one. The place was jammed. And with all their little rug rats in tow. So much for surprises under the tree.

I had ducked and dodged throughout the store, I was actually proud of myself that I didn't belt someone. Should have known it couldn't last.

In the middle of the main aisle a woman is shopping the shelves and with her is a little brat about 3 or 4. Riding a tricycle in the aisle! He stops right in front of me & my cart gives ME a dirty look then sticks his tongue out at me!! The mother looks over her shoulder at him then at me. Says NOTHING and goes back to her shopping. I calmly walk around my cart and her precious little bundle of joy and right to her. Lean in and tell her 'get that little F*cker out of my way or I'll run him down and as I do I will tell him there is no Santa!' She looks at me like I had 3 heads, protectively snatches the boy from the death by cart he was about to endure and waddled off. No doubt to look for security Bad Grin

.

I hate people. Laughing

Internet shopping is the only way to go for me! When shopping is about to become a contact sport, it's time to find other avenues! Laughing

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:17 am

In the middle of the main aisle a woman is shopping the shelves and with her is a little brat about 3 or 4. Riding a tricycle in the aisle! He stops right in front of me & my cart gives ME a dirty look then sticks his tongue out at me!! The mother looks over her shoulder at him then at me. Says NOTHING and goes back to her shopping. I calmly walk around my cart and her precious little bundle of joy and right to her. Lean in and tell her 'get that little F*cker out of my way or I'll run him down and as I do I will tell him there is no Santa!' She looks at me like I had 3 heads, protectively snatches the boy from the death by cart he was about to endure and waddled off. No doubt to look for security Bad Grin

Now why the hell can't I do that!!! Sheesh.

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:04 am

My SO refuses point blank to go to the supermarket during the day, instead we now go either very late at night or at about 2am when there is nobody at all. Pure bliss being the only customers Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:51 am

Protect and Serve??! Not during Christmas shopping. Laughing

Candy you are too much!!

Its good to know I'm not the only person who hates people during the holidays! Of course, that usually includes my family too. Laughing

There is nothing like the tranditional, American family argument during the holidays. It wouldn't be Christmas without it....or Thanksgiving for that matter. There is just something about bringing family together that warms your heart and brings out all the resentment over the last year that just makes the holidays sooo special. FYI: This last one had my mother not speaking to me until Feb. My Mom left her drivers license here and I sent it to her, but the postage changed here as of 1 Jan and my local postman handed it back telling me of the postage change and I had to go to the PO for 2 cent stamps. (DON'T GET ME STARTED ON POSTAGE!! There is something about those 2 cent stamps that just triggers rage....I mean, I can't use my old stamps so I put them aside until I get the 2 cent ones. I FINALLY get the 2 cent stamps and then can't find the old stamps so I'm stuck with useless 2 cent stamps until I find the old ones or the postage changes again but by then I can't find the old 2 cent stamps anymore and I angrier and start turing green and get large with super strength..... hmm

, this is probably when I should hit Walmart). The result was Mom was hurt that I forgot about her license, but she got pissed about spending a couple of hours at the DMV to get a new one. She was so mad about waiting in those lines she didn't talk to me for almost two months. I love the holidays!

Oh, I believe I have violated many of the shopping 'rules' here. I do obey the aisle traffic laws though...so no tickets Candy! Very Happy

I stay on the right going down an aisle and on the left coming back up. I am however a slow walker <no throwing canned foods ladies!>. I am from California (Southern) and I have a native talent of tuning others out. So unless I get a cart poked in my hinney--all the huffing in the world isn't going to make me walk faster. Actually, a cart is just going to start an argument or make me go slower. I find that hurry hurry hurry thing so annoying in people. If you haven't guessed, I tend to be a wee bit passive agressive and if someone honks at me for not being as quick as they want me to drive, walk, etc....I will slow down more. I like to smile and wave or pleasantly say Hello as the angry huff past me. I find it very satisfying to annoy the crap out of people who annoy me.

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:29 am

Hope wrote:

Fill out everything except the total beforehand, people!

Oooh, that's a good one: I'm delighted to report that I am the dream shopper because that's exactly what I do when I go to ANY store and plan to pay by check -- it takes me less than fifteen seconds to complete my check by writing in the amount and then tearing it out and handing it to the cashier!

That ought to be a mandatory rule for anyone paying by check....

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:22 am

I agree with all this stuff! I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates grocery shopping. I do have to admit that when I'm shopping alone I'll read labels and take forever making up my mind on things, but I usually just have the little hand basket and I am always careful to get out of people's way if they get near me (in case I'm blocking what they want). When I'm with my bf, though, I don't have that luxury. He's a "let's get the hell out of here" kind of guy and it drives me nuts! I don't have time to read labels or anything. Confused

I'm such a polite shopper, I had no idea that people got revenge on these horrible people! Good Job!

I just let it go and boil inside. And I just have to mention the check thing, I mean, who still uses checks for anything besides bills and rent? It takes me years to get through one box of checks. Just use a debit card! Or have it all ready, like carekate said.

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:20 pm

Well this might not be the best place for me to admit this, but I'm a buggy shopper and have been for years. I don't always do it, but in a pinch I will. It's not stealing....I do pay for the goods.

I especially like to do it to men. I can just hear their wives yelling "Can't I send you for anything?"

Sometimes I've even been able to take the entire buggy when I see those temporarily abandoned carts. The driver is 2 aisles over getting something they've forgotten. Just the other day I got one with Milk, bread, diet coke and a big package of M&m's. In and out in record time. I really didn't plan on the M&M's, but it was a nice surprise.

I hope I don't get bombarded for this little confession.

free skin care · Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:28 pm

That's the best I've heard in a long time....at least until u do it to me..

Why didn't I ever think of doing that...just look for one that has the basics & RUN. Laughing

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