Grocery stores somehow bring out the worst in people—from putting items back in any old place to abandoning carts in the parking lot, it’s no wonder people see grocery shopping as a chore. Let’s dive into the worst behaviors, and why you should avoid doing them.
1. Blocking the Aisle
Whether you’re picking out an item or perusing through an aisle, don’t leave your cart willy-nilly. Other people have to get through and if you’re shopping on a busy day, the last thing others want to deal with is a huge cart parked in the middle of their path.
2. Too Many Items to Express
Sometimes we lose track of how many items are in our cart—one or two things over isn’t the end of the world, but we all know you’re not supposed to take a full cart to the express lane. The express lane moves quicker because people aren’t supposed to have more than a couple of items, and trying to sneak in with a full cart will likely get you redirected to the regular line…along with dirty looks from everyone else.
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3. Being Rude to Staff
Being rude to staff members is never a good look, especially when they’re some poor underpaid teenager left to stock apples. Regardless of what you need help with, treat employees with basic kindness.
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4. Running to Get Items
Even if you think you can make a mad dash to the other end of the store, it doesn’t mean you should. Unless an item you need is close, don’t abandon the checkout to grab something. Chances are whatever you forgot to grab can wait.
5. Putting Items Anywhere
There’s no shame in second-guessing that loaf of bread, but don’t leave it in the frozen food section. It’s always better to return items where you got them from, especially when it’s an item that needs refrigeration—leaving that stuff anywhere spells disaster.
6. Sampling Items
Don’t shove your hands into the snack bin. Refrain from sampling the produce. A simple look or gentle squeeze through a bag is enough to let you know if that orange is for you.
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7. Not Returning Your Cart
Cart corrals are everywhere in the parking lot, meaning there’s definitely one close to your car. Don’t abandon your cart in the middle of the lot—employees are then forced to retrieve them, they could easily block parking spaces, and there’s really just no need.
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8. Letting Kids Run Around
If you’re going to bring children to the grocery store, make sure they stay close to you. It’s dangerous for everyone if they run up and down the aisles or ride their scooters around.
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9. Texting in the Aisle
Answering a quick text isn’t the end of the world, just don’t whip out your phone in the middle of the aisle. Loud phone conversations or lengthy text messages can probably wait until you’re outside, and if they can’t, at least pull off to the side.
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10. Bringing Dogs Inside
Service dogs are one thing, but don’t sneak in your purse dog. Service dogs are trained professionals—they don’t get distracted, they don’t relieve themselves in stores, and they don’t bark. Other dogs, though, easily run the risk of doing these things.
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11. Leaving Trash in the Cart
It’s a cart, not a trash can, so don’t discard anything in there. Carts are public use and though you may not think a candy wrapper is a big deal, other people won’t want to stick their food atop literal garbage.
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12. Over-Touching Food
A couple of gentle squeezes are usually enough to get the (literal) feel of produce. Too many, however, makes it pretty undesirable for the next person. If you need to really get in there, grab one of the produce bags to use as a glove, that way others can still go for what you didn’t like.
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13. Bringing Expired Coupons
Hey, an oversight is an oversight! Mistakes happen and there’s ultimately no harm done if you missed an expiration date, but intentionally showing up with expired coupons isn’t a good look. It’s part of a cashier’s job to check that stuff, so don’t be surprised if they hand it right back to you.
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14. Not Sticking to One Side
Carts can be a little unruly, it’s true, but try to stick to one side of the aisle. Cruising down the middle of the lane blocks incoming traffic both ways, so it’s best for everyone if you keep to one side.
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15. Stealing People’s Carts
A good rule of thumb is that any cart in the store belongs to someone—even if it’s empty. Busy days may mean you didn’t get a cart on the way in, but that lone cart sitting in an aisle somewhere likely belongs to another person, so don’t nab it for yourself.
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16. Taking Up Personal Space
If Covid taught us anything it’s the value of personal space. There’s no real reason to crowd people in the checkout line or bump shoulders reaching for similar products.
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17. Idly Walking in the Parking Lot
Technically this happens outside the grocery store, but it’s still irritating enough to mention. Crowded parking lots are all the more reason to stay vigilant about pedestrian rules. Make sure you look both ways, don’t cut in front of cars, and try to be quick about your journey back to the car.
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18. Not Deciding
The regular Oreos or the double-stuffed? Decisions, decisions. Speaking of which, stand off to the side if you’re stuck on what to buy—other shoppers can now grab what they need without a line forming behind you.
19. Unloading too Quickly
You’ve made it to the checkout line! It’s tempting to throw everything onto the belt but wait for the person ahead of you to finish unloading first. Don’t stick your items on the belt if they haven’t put up the separator yet.
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20. Not Removing Items
Even if you only have a few items in your basket, place them on the belt instead of having the cashier do it. It’s common courtesy and shows respect for employees, not to mention there’s often a place to stash empty baskets on your side of the register.
