10 Of The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Grocery Store

“Respect the limit of items in the express line and don’t go through if you have more than allowed,” advised Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert, author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of The Protocol School of Texas.

Few people enjoy waiting in a long line to pay at the grocery store, but no matter how busy you are, that’s no excuse for taking shortcuts. 

“Don’t be that person who thinks ‘10 items or fewer’ doesn’t apply to you,” added Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert and co-host of the “Were You Raised by Wolves?” podcast. “It does!”

2. Ignoring Aisle Traffic Rules

“If you wouldn’t do it on the sidewalk or on the highway, you probably shouldn’t do it with your shopping cart in a supermarket,” Leighton explained. “Don’t block other people, stop or change directions suddenly, or cross multiple lanes of traffic without checking for oncoming traffic.”

Keep the “rules of the road” in mind as you navigate each aisle and make your selections. Do your best to avoid cart collisions. 

“Most aisles are open to two-way traffic,” Smith said. “Keep to the right to allow traffic to keep moving. If you see someone and want to catch up, be sure to move off to the side to allow others to pass.” 

3. Touching And Opening Things Without Buying Them

“Avoid opening packages to smell or taste and then putting them back if you don’t like them,” Gottsman urged.

In the era of COVID-19, it’s extra important to be mindful of hygiene and germs in public spaces, especially when food is involved, so try to keep your hands to yourself unless you’re using a plastic barrier or placing something in your cart. 

“Do not fondle the food, breads or fruits,” Smith added.

4. Disrespecting Personal Space