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Check-out Etiquette Featured in In the Daily Buzz - Jan 12, 2011 Kristen Cook
I've said it before as a joke that isn't actually a joke. I can't go to the grocery store without running into someone I know. It's not quite literally true. I have probably run in and out of the grocery store without seeing any acquaintances. However, I'd like to bet that a majority of the time I end up chatting.
There is a special skill to the process. We small town dwellers have pretty much mastered it. Let's say that you run in to Lisa from an art class you attended last year as your getting a cart. You promptly place where you know her from, always a good start. Once this is established you remember to ask about her kids and that online course she was taking.
Proud of how you managed that you enter with your grocery list. This is where it gets awkward. A kind of situation that I'm quite certain all the small-town experience in the world can't remedy.
You start choosing out a nice salmon fillet and Lisa comes trekking past on her way to the steaks. You will, being polite, smile, say hello, and demurely move on.
Now you're at the dairy products. And, oh look, there's Lisa scanning the yogurt. A quick wave and nod is appropriate, right? When you see her in the soup aisle and you duck and focus on the nutritional label. Then you spot her in cleaning products you'll quickly scurry past, head down.
By time you reach produce you're be ducking behind a display of watermelons in order to avoid bumping carts with her, again. It will also dictate your choice of checkout aisle and the direction you're looking as you leave the store.
It's unfortunate, really. Honestly, you're quite glad to see Lisa. It's just that there's an unfortunate lack of established etiquette for the continual grocery store run-in.
Comments| posted by: tienna | 2011-01-13 08:15:39 | I know that feeling. Usually with clients. If I make small talk, we end on a happy note. If I meet them again, I often joke about the behavior of my kids, then next time I meet- I often ask if they are following me. THEN anything after that, yes, it's the duck and run. Or if I happen to catch a glance of them staring back at me, I will give a polite smile and turn my head or look down. It's awkward.
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