Grocery shopping could be fast and painless if everyone followed a little basic common sense.
Yet, somehow, every trip turns into a chaotic test of patience thanks to a lot of people seemingly forgetting how to act like normal human beings in public. While everyone should be heading in to pick up the things they need, checking out, and being on their way, these habits have crept in—and they seriously need to stop. If you’re guilty of any of them, it’s time for a change.
1. Blocking the entire aisle with your trolley
It’s wild how many people treat the grocery aisle like their personal driveway, parking their trolley right in the middle and wandering off like nobody else needs to get through. It forces the rest of us into awkward side shuffles, weird half-turns, and some impressive obstacle course-level manoeuvres just to reach the bread.
All it takes is pulling your trolley slightly to the side, like you would on a busy street if you needed to check your phone. Basic aisle etiquette would make shopping way less stressful for literally everyone trying to grab their groceries and get out of there before dinner time.
2. Having full-on phone conversations while standing still
Some people seem to think the middle of the soup aisle is the ideal place to catch up on every piece of gossip from the past six months. They’ll stop dead, phone to their ear, animatedly chatting without noticing the growing line of trolleys trying to squeeze past them.
No one’s saying you can’t multitask, but maybe move off to the side or finish your conversation before launching into a detailed play-by-play of your cousin’s wedding drama. The canned goods will still be there when you’re done spilling the tea.
3. Leaving your trolley abandoned in random places
Few things are more annoying than rounding a corner and finding an orphaned trolley sitting dead centre in the aisle. Its owner is nowhere to be seen, probably halfway across the store debating between two brands of peanut butter without a second thought for the chaos they’ve caused.
Parking your trolley off to the side or at least somewhere non-disruptive takes about two extra seconds. It’s one of those tiny courtesies that could massively improve the grocery shopping experience for everyone trapped behind your abandoned cart.
4. Ignoring the “10 items or fewer” rule
The express lane is sacred. It exists so people grabbing a few essentials can get in and out quickly without getting stuck behind someone doing their fortnightly stock-up. But every trip, there’s that one person who thinks “10 items or fewer” is just a suggestion.
Watching someone with 28 things casually unload at the express checkout is enough to make even the calmest shopper see red. If you need two baskets to carry your groceries, you probably don’t belong in the fast lane, and everyone behind you definitely knows it.
5. Standing too close in the checkout line
Personal space doesn’t suddenly stop being a thing just because you’re in a checkout line. Yet somehow, there’s always that one person breathing down your neck, bumping into your heels with their trolley, or practically reading the numbers on your debit card over your shoulder.
Waiting your turn without crowding someone isn’t just polite; it’s basic decency. Everyone’s in a hurry, but giving people a couple of feet to exist in would make the entire checkout experience a lot less tense for all involved.
6. Sampling food without permission
Unless it’s being offered at a staffed sample table, opening a bag of crisps or sneaking a grape is not okay. It might seem harmless, but it’s not your food until it’s paid for, and stores usually have to toss anything that’s been tampered with.
Plus, no one else wants to buy a half-eaten bunch of grapes or wonder whether someone else’s fingers have been in the peanut M&M bin. If you’re hungry, buy the snack first, or better yet, wait until you’re out of the building to dig in.
7. Having loud speakerphone conversations
Few things are more obnoxious than someone carrying on a full-volume speakerphone call while pushing their trolley through the dairy section. Suddenly, the entire store gets a front-row seat to their fight with their partner or rant about their boss.
If you must take a call, at least use headphones or keep it short and discreet. Grocery shopping is chaotic enough without feeling like you’re trapped inside a stranger’s family drama while trying to pick out yoghurt.
8. Treating employees like personal assistants
Asking a quick question is totally fine—that’s part of their job. But demanding that a worker stop everything to escort you aisle by aisle like a private shopper? Not it. Especially when you could probably find the ketchup by reading a sign.
Grocery store employees are juggling a million tasks already, from stocking shelves to handling impatient customers. A little patience and basic kindness go a long way toward not making their day harder than it already is.
9. Not returning your trolley
Few things are lazier than loading up your car, getting in, and then leaving your trolley to drift through the car park like a rogue missile. Not only is it disrespectful, but it can easily ding someone’s car or create an unnecessary hazard.
It takes less than a minute to walk your trolley back to the designated area. Think of it as your good deed for the day. Plus, it saves the poor cart collector from having to sprint around playing real-life Frogger to wrangle abandoned trolleys.
10. Racing people to the checkout line
Some shoppers treat the checkout line like it’s a finish line at a race. They’ll speed-walk, cut you off with a squeaky-wheeled trolley, and shove themselves ahead like there’s a prize waiting at the register.
It’s deeply awkward and honestly unnecessary. Getting through checkout two minutes faster isn’t worth throwing basic decency out the window. Besides, the same queue karma that gets you ahead one day will have you stuck behind a price check saga the next.
11. Opening freezer doors and just leaving them open
Opening the freezer section is fine. Letting all that cold air leak out because you can’t be bothered to close the door? Infuriating. It not only wastes energy but can also mess with the store’s inventory by causing frozen items to thaw.
Grab your frozen veg or pizza and gently pull the door closed behind you. You’ll help keep the food fresh, the freezers working properly, and avoid giving grocery workers one more headache to deal with during their shift.
12. Letting your kids run wild
Everyone knows kids get bored during errands, but letting them sprint, scream, or treat the store like a jungle gym creates chaos for everyone. It’s dangerous for them, too—a crowded aisle is not the place for a high-speed game of tag.
No one expects perfect behaviour, but basic supervision keeps the experience safe and manageable. Teaching kids early how to be considerate in public spaces is a huge win for everyone, including exhausted parents trying to make it through their grocery list.
13. Leaving refrigerated items in random places
Changed your mind about that tub of ice cream or that package of chicken? Fine. But abandoning it in the snack aisle where it melts or spoils is beyond inconsiderate; it creates food waste and extra clean-up work for employees.
If you pick up a refrigerated item and later decide you don’t want it, do everyone a favour and walk it back to its proper section. It’s a tiny act of responsibility that helps keep the store running smoothly and cuts down on unnecessary waste.
