Ok, I know that many do not need to be "schooled" when it comes it grocery store manners or etiquette BUT I have found that a lot of people have absolutely no concern for others or their feelings when in comes to shopping. I work in a grocery store and I see cases of complete rudeness and poor judgment. So as a courtesy to the people who do have manners while they are out doing their grocery shopping I would like to provide a Do's and Don'ts of Grocery Store etiquette.
Don't wear just a bathing suit to the grocery store. Believe it or not folks, I have seen this on more than one occasion. I do live in Florida but still that is a big no, no. And No, a bikini top with shorts is not acceptable either. Put a shirt on. I don't care how hot you are or think you are...it's not ok. We will all talk about you when you leave the store. Men, carrying a shirt into a store while you are shirt less is a really big no no. You're not hot so give it up. Shoes are also a must.
Do double check your cart to make sure you have everything. If you don't it's not ok to hold up other people in line while you continue shopping. Not only do you irritate the cashier, you irritate the customers too who in turn will irritate the cashier when you leave by bitching and complaining that we let you hold up the line. It's also not ok to allow others in your party to go get things that you forgot. This list includes but is not limited to: husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends, children, aunts, uncles, grand children, grand parents, best friends, sisters, brothers, little brothers friend, fiancé or seeing eye dogs.
Don't ever talk on your cell phone while in the check out lane. Come ladies and gentleman have some manners. Really. This not only irritates the cashier when she is trying to ask you questions but the whole store doesn't need to know how you can't believe Sally didn't invite you to a party because someone started a rumor that you have crabs.
Do wait until the cashier is done with their current order before you interrupt to dispute something on your receipt. Nothing irritates a cashier more than when they have to stop and explain a price to you because you can't read the signs. If you weren't on your cell phone during your transaction, you would have caught that and it could have been taken care of then.
Don't allow your kids to jump around and destroy things. Yeah, I have a kid. She's almost 4. She also knows better than to run around the counter, rip bags off the shelf and throw them everywhere, climb up and stand in carts, scream on top of her lungs and get in other peoples way. Trust me, if I can teach my child how to act in public, so can you.
The biggest one yet...
Do make sure you have 10 items or less in the express lane. Ok people, No you are not special and no you can't come in the express lane with a full cart because the other lines are full. There are other people in the store that have one or two items and want to get in and out quickly. That's what the express lane is for. And don't give me that "Oh, I didn't realize it was an express lane." line. I saw you look up at the bright letters that read "EXPRESS: 10 Items Or Less" and look away like you can't read. You're not fooling anyone. You also have no right to get angry when we tell that it's an express lane and you must move to another line. Another big, huge no, no in the express lane...writing checks. Don't do it. This is 2008, use your debit card.
Don't wear just a bathing suit to the grocery store. Believe it or not folks, I have seen this on more than one occasion. I do live in Florida but still that is a big no, no. And No, a bikini top with shorts is not acceptable either. Put a shirt on. I don't care how hot you are or think you are...it's not ok. We will all talk about you when you leave the store. Men, carrying a shirt into a store while you are shirt less is a really big no no. You're not hot so give it up. Shoes are also a must.
Do double check your cart to make sure you have everything. If you don't it's not ok to hold up other people in line while you continue shopping. Not only do you irritate the cashier, you irritate the customers too who in turn will irritate the cashier when you leave by bitching and complaining that we let you hold up the line. It's also not ok to allow others in your party to go get things that you forgot. This list includes but is not limited to: husbands, boyfriends, wives, girlfriends, children, aunts, uncles, grand children, grand parents, best friends, sisters, brothers, little brothers friend, fiancé or seeing eye dogs.
Don't ever talk on your cell phone while in the check out lane. Come ladies and gentleman have some manners. Really. This not only irritates the cashier when she is trying to ask you questions but the whole store doesn't need to know how you can't believe Sally didn't invite you to a party because someone started a rumor that you have crabs.
Do wait until the cashier is done with their current order before you interrupt to dispute something on your receipt. Nothing irritates a cashier more than when they have to stop and explain a price to you because you can't read the signs. If you weren't on your cell phone during your transaction, you would have caught that and it could have been taken care of then.
Don't allow your kids to jump around and destroy things. Yeah, I have a kid. She's almost 4. She also knows better than to run around the counter, rip bags off the shelf and throw them everywhere, climb up and stand in carts, scream on top of her lungs and get in other peoples way. Trust me, if I can teach my child how to act in public, so can you.
The biggest one yet...
Do make sure you have 10 items or less in the express lane. Ok people, No you are not special and no you can't come in the express lane with a full cart because the other lines are full. There are other people in the store that have one or two items and want to get in and out quickly. That's what the express lane is for. And don't give me that "Oh, I didn't realize it was an express lane." line. I saw you look up at the bright letters that read "EXPRESS: 10 Items Or Less" and look away like you can't read. You're not fooling anyone. You also have no right to get angry when we tell that it's an express lane and you must move to another line. Another big, huge no, no in the express lane...writing checks. Don't do it. This is 2008, use your debit card.
As I said earlier, this really is just a courtesy to the people that are polite and use consideration in the grocery store. If we treated each others how we would want to be treated, this world would be a better place. :) Go that extra step to place that order divider directly behind the last items you will be purchasing. If you're sick, stay home. No one wants you coughing up a lung into the hand that you are about to hand a cashier money with. Really, it's all just common sense people. Don't forget...a little "please" and "thank you" goes a loooooong way. :)
Labels: Daily Thoughts, Grocery Store, Tips
LOL! I love it!! Not much irritates Eric more than people writing checks. LOL