Most people aren’t walking into the grocery store thinking about how they might annoy everyone around them. They’re trying to remember what’s on the shopping list, get everything they need, and get home. Some are also dealing with kids, phone calls, or a long day.
Still, certain habits can make a simple grocery run much more frustrating for everyone else. A cart parked across the aisle, a forgotten frozen item, or someone standing inches away in the checkout line can quickly get on people’s nerves.
Grocery store etiquette really isn’t complicated. Pay attention to the space around you, give other shoppers some room, and clean up after yourself when something goes wrong. These small things can make a busy store a lot easier for everyone.
Here are 15 common grocery store habits that tend to annoy other shoppers and what you can do instead.
Cutting in Line
Few things are more irritating than waiting your turn in line only to have someone step in front of you.
Having just one item doesn’t automatically make it okay to skip ahead. Unless another shopper offers to let you go first, wait your turn. It might take a few extra minutes, but everyone else in line is waiting too.
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Leaving a Mess Behind
If you knock something off a shelf or spill something, don’t just walk away and hope someone else notices.
A broken jar, spilled liquid, or pile of products on the floor can create a safety problem for the next person who comes along. If you see a mess, let an employee know so they can take care of it.
Even if you didn’t cause it, saying something can prevent another shopper from slipping or getting hurt.
Blocking the Aisle with Your Cart
We’ve all stopped to compare two products or check a label. The problem is when the cart is sitting right in the middle of the aisle while you do it.
Other shoppers shouldn’t have to squeeze around you or wait for you to finish reading. Park your cart off to the side if you need a few minutes to decide. That gives everyone else room to get through.
Abandoning Perishable Items
Changed your mind about the ice cream? Found a better deal on something else? No problem.
Leaving that ice cream in the cereal aisle is another story. Frozen food, meat, dairy, and other perishables can’t sit around indefinitely. If you decide you don’t want something, take it back to where you found it or hand it to an employee.
It takes an extra minute and can prevent food from being wasted.
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Talking Loudly on the Phone
There’s nothing wrong with taking a phone call while shopping, but there’s a big difference between a quick conversation and talking loudly enough for half the aisle to hear.
Grocery stores are shared spaces, so keep your voice down if you need to make a call. If it’s a long or private conversation, stepping somewhere less crowded is usually a better choice.
Not Returning Your Cart
Leaving a shopping cart in a parking space, beside another car, or somewhere in the middle of the lot creates a problem for everyone else.
Someone may have to move it just to park, and loose carts can roll into vehicles. Take the extra minute to return your cart to the cart corral or designated return area.
Opening Packages Before Buying
It may be tempting to open a package while you’re shopping, especially if you’re hungry or want to check something inside. Unless the store has provided samples, it’s better to wait until you’ve paid.
Opening food or products before buying them puts employees in an awkward position and can make the item difficult to sell. If you need to check something, ask an employee for help instead.
Ignoring Store Signs
Those signs throughout the store aren’t just decoration.
A wet floor sign is there because someone could slip. A blocked aisle may mean employees are stocking shelves or dealing with a safety issue. Checkout signs help keep lines organized.
Ignoring these warnings can create problems for you, employees, and other shoppers. Take a second to read them and follow the instructions.
Related: 14 Things Shoppers Dread The Most About Grocery Shopping
Using the Express Lane with Too Many Items
The express lane is meant to move quickly because shoppers have only a few items.
Bringing a cart full of groceries into that line defeats the whole purpose. You might get away with it, but the people behind you probably won’t be thrilled about waiting while everything gets scanned.
If you have more than the posted limit, use a regular checkout lane.
Standing Too Close in Line
Nobody likes feeling someone breathing down their neck while they’re waiting to pay.
Leave a little space between yourself and the person ahead of you. Standing closer won’t make the cashier work any faster, and giving people some personal space makes the wait more comfortable.
Browsing Slowly in High-Traffic Areas
Taking your time to compare prices or read labels is perfectly reasonable. Just be aware of where you’re standing while you do it.
If you’re blocking the only path through an aisle, move your cart over while you decide. You can take all the time you need without making everyone else wait behind you.
Being Rude to Store Employees
Cashiers, stockers, baggers, and other grocery store employees deal with customers all day. They may be dealing with long lines, empty shelves, equipment problems, or dozens of other tasks at the same time.
Getting angry with an employee over something they can’t control doesn’t fix the problem. A little patience and a polite tone can make a stressful interaction much easier for everyone.
Grocery shopping is already a chore for many people. There’s no reason to make it harder for the people working there.
Letting Kids Run Unsupervised
Kids can get bored during a grocery trip, but letting them race through the aisles isn’t fair to other shoppers.
They could run into someone, knock over merchandise, or get in the way of carts and employees. Giving them a small job, such as finding items on the list, can keep them involved while you shop.
Taking Too Many Free Samples
Free samples are there so shoppers can try something before deciding whether to buy it. They aren’t an invitation to grab handfuls.
Take one and give other people a chance to try it too. If you really like something, you can always come back after everyone else has had a turn.
Leaving Carts in the Middle of the Parking Lot
Returning your cart is part of finishing the shopping trip.
Leaving it loose in the parking lot can block a parking space, get in the way of drivers, or roll into another vehicle. It only takes a minute to put it back where it belongs, so don’t make someone else deal with it.
