Going to the grocery store is an everyday thing, and most people don't think much about that. However, I spent the majority of my high school career working in a grocery store. As an employee, I learned every little thing that can make them go crazy. Working in retail is hectic anywhere, but working in a grocery store can be especially chaotic. I mean, think about it, everyone needs food to live. While clothing stores and electronic stores are busy on Black Friday, grocery store's are busy every holiday, and every Sunday. Based of my experiences working in a grocery store, I wanted to share some tips for customers to think about next time they make their weekly shopping trip.
1. Put the cart back into the cart corals.
The cart corals are there for a reason, and they are all over the parking lot. It won’t kill anyone to make the few extra steps to put it away correctly. Remember that someone has to go out and collect those carts, and it isn’t fun for them to be running to the end of the lot because that’s where you left the cart. Besides, you know damn well you would be pissed if someone’s loose cart hit your car, so don’t be that jerk.
2. When the cashier greets you, say hello back.
I cannot express how many times I’ve said to customers “Hi, how are you today?” and their response was “Plastic.” Great, plastic seems like a wonderful way to be.
3. Do not get mad when the cashier doesn’t know where something is.
They work at the front of the store, and their job is to ring items out. They do not stock the shelves and they do not know where everything goes. However, they can find someone who does know, just be patient.
4. Watch your kids.
You know those cute kid sized carts? They aren’t so cute when kids are running them into shelves and product is falling everywhere. Do not let your kid be “that kid.”
5. Don’t talk on your phone at the register.
If you want to chat with Molly from book club, do it while you’re walking through the store, but when you get to the register, it’s polite to hang-up. The cashier has questions to ask you and they won’t be able too if you’re chatting away on the phone.
6. Do not wait until their closing hour on Christmas Eve to buy your potatoes.
Grocery store employees have families too. They have already spent the entire day working, the last thing they want to do is wait 15 extra minutes while you gather your last minute dinner essentials. Plan ahead, and shop a few days in advance.
7. Don’t complain that they’re busy.
We know we’re busy. We’ve been working in it all day, and it’s more stressful for us than it is for you. We understand that it sucks to wait in line, but remember that you only have to deal with it for a chunk of time, we’ll be here all day.
8. Don’t bring expired coupons.
No, we can’t accept them. We can’t put our jobs on the line to save you 75 cents.
9. Understand that cashiers do not set prices.
Yelling at them because an item rung-out wrong will not make them want to fix the problem. Politely let them know, and they will send someone to check on the price. If the computer rung it out wrong, they will fix it. I promise that it won’t be the end of the world, and if you’re correct, they will be happy to change the price.
10. If it isn’t on the shelf, the store is probably out of it.
Sure, it might be 50 feet up in the air and will require a forklift to get, and no one is that special.
11. Let your cashier know if there is something you don’t want once you get to the register.
They will be happy to put it back for you, don’t just shove it somewhere in the aisle displays where it will sit until it goes bad. Just hand it to the cashier.
12. Push your cart in.
Employees love when you leave your cart inside, but not when you leave it sideways and not pushed in. Someone is going to come in with a line of carts, and have to stop everything to move your cart out of the way. It’s not cool, just don’t do it.
13. Let the person pushing carts go first.
It’s freezing and they’re outside pushing a heavy line of carts while you’re in the heat of your car. Let them go first. The 30 seconds will not kill you.
14. That winter storm will not leave you locked in for a month.
If you have food, you don't need to rush into the grocery store for milk and eggs. How often do you use milk and eggs anyways?
Employees realize that customers just don’t think about these things, but sometimes they wish you would. Next time you’re walking down the aisles at the grocery store, consider these things. The employees will love it if you’re NOT a jerk towards them. Respect the employees and they will respect you, and they will be willing to do whatever they can to help you out!
