Today was a busy day. I worked out this morning from 9:15- 10:30. Then I came home, showered, ate lunch, and headed to work. I worked from 12:30 to 3:15 and went from there to the grocery store for my weekly shopping trip. After that I came home, unloaded all the food, loved on my kids a bit, then started dinner. By the time it was all cleaned up and kids were bathed and in bed, it was 9:00! Some days are just crazy!While at the store today I noticed I tend to do our shopping the same way week in and week out. I guess I get stuck in a routine and then don't veer off the path much. For example, I always plan a menu for the week ahead. Then I make a grocery list based on what food items we need to make those specific meals. After that, I make a list of food "staples" that I know we will need such as bread, milk, etc. Finally, I do a quick scan of a few money saving blogs that I follow to search out any good deals on things that I know I will use. Sometimes this involves cutting coupons or going to a store that I don't normally shop at, but it is worth it for the savings.
Once I have done all my planning, I do the bulk of my shopping at the same store every week. I like being familiar with the layout and knowing where to find just about anything. I start shopping at the same end of the the store every week (the fresh produce section) then weave my way up and down the aisles until I wind up at the opposite end of the store in the dairy aisle. I can get through the routine pretty quickly now, when I don't have any kids with me, of course.
In all my trips to the store, I've also noticed a few rules of etiquette when it comes to grocery shopping.
1. Carts stay on the right side of the aisle, much like driving down the road.
2. When you come up to another shopper who has parked his/her cart on the right side while debating whether to buy Raisin Bran or Cinnamon Toast Crunch, it is polite to wait for about a minute. Then you may pass the parked cart and move on. *In this scenario I am envisioning a crowded aisle. If it is not busy, feel free to pass the parked cart sooner.
3. If you happen to criss-cross paths with the same shopper as you move up and down the aisles, it is appropriate to smile and nod only the first two or three times. After that, you can feel free to go about your business and not feel obligated to continue to acknowledge each other out of feeling a little awkward.
4. If you have a full cart in the check out lane and another shopper gets in line behind you holding only one or two items, absolutely let them go ahead of you. You would want them to do the same for you if the situation were reversed.
5. Always put your cart away in the parking lot. It's really simple.
There you have it. Grocery Store Etiquette 101. Think I should add anything?
*Photo found here.
5 comments:
People that don't put carts up in the parking lot is one of my biggest pet peeves! I've even been known to walk around the parking lot and return other's stray carts. I'm weird.
I follow all of those rules! You also must say "Excuse me" when you pass in front of where someone is looking on the shelf.
In my shopping at Target, don't hold up the line. Follow your items with the conveyor belt, so the next person can start loading their items on.
If you and someone else are looking at the same items (like yogurt flavors), you should move over so the other person can look, too.
Fun post!
I am big on shoppers etiquette! My mom taught me to grab a stray cart on my way into a given store.
I would also add that if you drop something, bruise fruit, ruin something, etc. you should notify an employee and offer to pay for it. I get so mad when I see people ruin something and just hurry away from the scene.
--Have all of your coupons and WIC vouchers ready to go when you get up to the cashier.
--Have patience with the cashier when s/he wants to pull each of the 20 items you have a coupon for back out of your bags to verify they apply.
--Make sure you have all of your coupons and WIC vouchers ready to go when you get up to the cashier.
--Have patience with the cashier when s/he wants to pull each of the 20 items you have coupons for back out of the bag to verify they apply.
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