How to Not Be Annoying at the Grocery Store

I visit grocery stores frequently, from discount stores to the higher priced places depending on what I need. Over the years I have noticed certain annoying behavior from other shoppers. If the behavior were isolated I might not think much of it, but I encounter it repeatedly. Cute little old ladies can be just as guilty as young women or single men.

To make shopping more pleasant for others, I have the following suggestions.

Do not block the aisle. I have seen people block the aisle even in super nice grocery stores with wide lanes. How is this usually done? The person has a shopping cart and sets it on one side of the aisle, or in the middle of the aisle, and then stands beside that cart to view something on the opposite shelf. On one side you have the shopping cart blocking, and on the other side you have the person meditating on Captain Crunch cereal. To get by, either the person or their cart must move for you.

What's funny is the person doing this is so into their own thoughts they do not notice the line of people waiting to get by them. That is, until some assertive person finally says "Excuse me". The person blocking usually means no harm, and will most likely apologize and move out of the way. I think we've all blocked the aisle by accident at one time or another. Occasionally though, you'll come across a person blocking the aisle who will actually sigh or act annoyed when you try to get past them--as if you disturbed them. Who cares about the other people in the store? They seem to say.

Another way people block the aisle is by not keeping their kids beside them. Most parents are very considerate, and at least try to keep their little ones either in the cart or out of the way. Other parents just let their kids roam. They themselves aren't blocking the aisle, but their little ones darting back and forth are.

How to Not Block the Aisle. Put your cart as close to the shelf you're looking at as possible, and stand in front of your cart or behind it. This way you and your cart are only on one side of the aisle, and there is room for people to get by you. This only works a short time though, because your cart may be blocking merchandise on the shelf. Get what you need quickly, and be aware of others. If you see someone who looks like they may want to get a can of corn where your cart is parked, move your cart or ask that person if it is in their way. Most people will say "Oh, you're not in my way. You're fine" or "Sure, just let me get in here for a second". Most will be friendly to you, and appreciate that you're thinking of someone other than yourself.

Use that divider bar after you put your merchandise up for checkout. Why? It is polite. Even if the person behind you can easily do it themselves, if you do it you're 1. Letting the person behind you know that you have nothing else to put up, so they can start loading their stuff. 2. You show that you realize you're not the only person alive. Yes, it's a small courtesy, but little things add up.

If possible pay by cash, credit card, or debit card instead of a check. In this day and age writing a check is not always necessary. We have debit cards, cash, and credit cards. If for some reason you must use a check at the grocery store, don't take your dear sweet time filling it out when 20 people are behind you. And whatever you do, do not take forever writing a check in the express lane.

Don't start loading your groceries at the checkout counter until you're sure the person in front of you has all of their stuff up first. There are actually people who do this. All they can think about it getting their own merchandise up, and they do not realize that if the person in front of them hasn't finished yet there will be no room. I once heard a checkout girl snap at someone for doing that. "Wait until the woman in front of you is finished!" she said. I'm not one to applaud grouchy employees, but I must admit I was thinking to myself "You tell her!"

Give the person in front of you at checkout at least a couple of seconds to move their stuff before you shove in. While it is rude to take too long at the checkout if you can help it (I'm a firm believer in moving your stuff and making room for the next person quickly) it is also rude to not give someone time to move. I find that the checkout girl will give me change for my purchase, and though it takes me just a split second to put that money back in my purse, I have had impatient people behind me get right on top of me before I can finish up. I will literally have the change just placed into my hand and people already shoving in.

Overall, I find people to be polite at the grocery store. Most do not want to be annoying, and those who are probably do not intend to be. If you're in a crowded place with narrow aisles, shopping can be stressful. Even in a bigger store with wide aisles, it's not always easy. If you shop at times when the store is not so crowded it can be somewhat easier, but at one time or another you will probably have to face a crowd.

If every shopper followed some of the suggestions above, I believe the shopping experience would be more pleasant for everyone.