I worked as a grocery store cashier for two years, and I often give thanks for that experience.
It taught me many insider tips, such as the fact that marshmallows are almost always stored by cake mix, and that hamburger measured by the butcher always tastes better than the pre-packaged kind.
But naturally, it also taught me that some customers can be, frankly, idiots.
Most of them are nice or friendly. But others make me wonder if they were never taught to respect the people with whom they share the world.
Here are a bunch of things people do in grocery stores that they really shouldn’t do.
Being lazy after getting buyer’s remorse
We’ve all taken something off the shelf and later changed our minds. But don’t set the item where you are – especially if it’s a refrigerated or frozen item. Nobody wants frozen green beans dripping and melting in the grain aisle.
If it’s easier to put it back where you got it, do so, or simply give the item to the cashier or an employee and tell them you changed your mind.
blocking traffic
Some stores’ aisles are spacious, but others are blocked by pillars or sales displays, and are already cramped. It doesn’t help when an unsuspecting shopper leaves their cart in the snack food aisle so they can wander over to the spices and enjoy the pickles.
Try to be respectful of your fellow shoppers – pull your cart over to a spacious area if you have to leave it for a while. (And don’t leave a purse or wallet in the car – this is exactly the situation thieves look for.)
shopping just before closing time
When the store is open until 10 pm, don’t arrive at 9:59 pm planning to spend an hour doing your weekly shopping for a large family. Employees want to go home too, and it’s possible that your ignorance will force them to stay additional unpaid hours.
No preparation for payment
It’s a grocery store cliché – the customer who waits until each item has been picked up, then slowly takes out their checkbook and begins slowly filling out their check as if they were doing calligraphy for a wedding invitation.
Very few stores accept checks these days, but the same principle applies. Don’t force the customer sitting behind you to sigh and get angry by waiting until your total is paid and only then rummaging through your purse or wallet for cash or credit cards.
Running back for one more thing and stopping the line
It’s the day before Thanksgiving and in the heat of big meal shopping, you forgot the cranberry sauce. In my time, I used to ask the bagger for help to run and bring you that lost box.
But in our fast-paced world where baggers are rare, you may have to get it yourself. That’s fine, but make sure you know which way you’re going, and don’t get lost along the way. The shoppers standing in line behind you will be grateful.
Trash
What happened to old slogans like “Keep America Beautiful” and “Put trash in its place”? Maybe we should bring them back.
Don’t litter your used tissues or crumpled shopping lists around the store or parking lot, or leave them in your car. Most stores have a trash can in front of or near each register – use it for its intended purpose.
Aggressively touching or squeezing products
The old bathroom tissue slogan “Please don’t squeeze the Charmin” applies to the production as well. Sure, you want to know if that avocado is rock-hard or about to go bad, but touch it gently.
The same is true with bread or any other soft cheese – don’t cut hot dog buns by hand, which will leave fingerprints behind.
break something and go away
It happens – buyers accidentally break the product. Typically, store management eats the cost and you are not even charged for your mistake.
But don’t leave your breakdown behind and pretend it didn’t happen. Alert the staff so they can clean it up – no one wants to slip in spilled pickle juice or cut themselves on broken glass.
eating food you didn’t pay for
Doesn’t it feel right to buy anything before eating? Yet, every day, people break open a bag of chips or a candy bar, then hand the sticky, torn wrapper to the cashier and expect them to ring it up.
I mean, on one hand, you lied and paid for it, but on the other… wait until you buy the product.
yelling at employees
No cashier sets food prices – it’s well above our pay grade. And if a particular item is sold out in the store, it is not the employee’s fault.
Don’t force things on them – no one is out to let you down, and a little understanding and kindness goes a long way.