I hate being pushed around in the supermarket.

Just a little update here, Im now working full time and we move into our first place on June 3rd!  Im so excited!!!

I've never seen so many rude people in my life, as I have in the Trostre Tesco. You have the "aisle blockers," the "juggernaut shoppers," the "stroppy, crying little spoiled brats," and the "gormless pensioners." It's like running the gauntlet! Back in the states, at least there is some order and pattern. The right side of the aisle moves one way, and the left side, the other. Yes, you have the odd exceptions to the rule, but general travelling direction is followed, in most cases! Also, the noise level of the stores here is equivalent to a flock of gannets meeting up with a colony of sea lions. I've never heard such racket in a store, in my entire life! It's difficult to even think about what one needs in the store, when exposed to such chaos! Good thing I keep a shopping list handy. LMAO!


Not even to mention---

Q.) What's the difference between a dumb blonde and a Tesco trolley?

A.) The Tesco trolley has a mind of its own!

*rimshot*

I go out of my way to hit the stores at the quietest time possible. If that's half an hour before closing, so be it.  I have little tolerance for people who wander up and down the aisles like no one else is in the room.  I always make sure that if I am going to stop I move to the side.

And sometimes, people KNOW i'm looking at something in the same section they are, and its like stand there on purpose, doing nothing, while I'm darting around them! What gives?  it happens alot.

And I must say, I'm a bit surprised at the noise levels here.  And that's saying something for this Puerto Rican who's family noise level starts at 11 on a 1-10 scale!

Some people are really good at customer service and others should never be allowed to work with the public. I do have a little something to add though. My husband is British and he will often take abuse from people, such as what's being dished up by some of the cashiers and fellow shoppers in these blogs because he doesn't want to make a fuss or whatever. I for instance will almost always call them on it. People are generally shocked when I do this because:
A. They are oblivious to their own actions they don't know they are doing it, like rushing you through the check out or standing in your way when you are trying to look at the items on the shelf. I find a simple "excuse me or pardon me" works wonders. If you don't speak up for yourself how do they know that they are inconveniencing you. I have often asked that the checker "holds up" so I can see what's being rung up etc. . 
B. Because they are bullies and can't believe someone would call them on their behaviour. Some folks were simply raised with wolves and don't know how to act in polite society full stop.

Maybe its because I'm from Texas and we have loads of space even in supermarkets (and city centers)but here I feel like everyone is running into me and I try to be polite and let people through but I am one of few. Sometimes i just want to say something rude but I don't.

I just happened upon this thread and it's fascinating to read the replies -- mainly because one of my biggest gripes is the rudeness of fellow shoppers here in the U.S. (We reside in an affluent town, if that has anything to do with it I'm not sure).

It's as if people are incapable of saying excuse me. And the way some people race around the market as if they are the most important person in the world .... Ugh!

I've been shopping in the UK (not much at all) so I'm not really in the position to offer an opinion, but I can't believe there's another place on earth that could be as discourteous as the place in which we live!

I've never been to Texas or any southern state except Florida, but as for the Northeast -- We're a rude bunch! 

I've lived all over the NorthEast, (RI,PA,NH) and never had a problem, but I think the big issue is smaller aisles and they never refill stock in a timely manner so people get grabby.

I just happened upon this thread and it's fascinating to read the replies -- mainly because one of my biggest gripes is the rudeness of fellow shoppers here in the U.S. (We reside in an affluent town, if that has anything to do with it I'm not sure).

Actually...yes it does. 

I've never been to Texas or any southern state except Florida, but as for the Northeast -- We're a rude bunch! 

Amen.

I know!  I heard that Yankees just started eating with forks and knives in 1964.

I just happened upon this thread and it's fascinating to read the replies -- mainly because one of my biggest gripes is the rudeness of fellow shoppers here in the U.S. (We reside in an affluent town, if that has anything to do with it I'm not sure).

Absolutely! Sounds just like people in my upmarket town. They think they're "special" and therefore excused from common courtesies. 

When we were in Germany they had this handy thing that after they rang all your groceries through, they slid this bar across so they could start ringing up the next person and your groceries didn't get mixed up. It was great!

They used to have that here as well

LOL! My husband and I often comment on this. We go into crowded places, anywhere, anytime and encounter what we call "The People." "The People" know no colour, race, gender, socioeconomic class. Annoying is annoying.

DW and I both work at the same out of town office building, there is a shuttle bus from town to the building for those who come by train etc. To get into the building it's passcard controlled with a turnstyle. When we are pulling into the car park, if the bus has just got there, then we'll get held up trying to get in and we now refer to these people as "The Bus People"....as in "oh no, The Bus People are here!"
This is obviously a sub-set of "The People"!

They used to have that here as well

They have them at some stores in the US, but only at the places where you bag yourself.

I have to laugh too. I could write all these complaints out as to exactly why I haven't stepped foot in an american Walmart or Superone in 5 years. For the first 4 years here (Louisiana) I kept trying but would usually get out in a foul mood and swearing up a storm at the idiocy, incompetence and plain rudeness of people.

Brookshires where I do shop now, is on the other hand generally a different story and I believe worth the slightly higher prices to keep my head from exploding. You get the occasional rude person but for the most part it's all apologies, smiles and excuse me's. The staff are generally a lot less surly than walmart's as well.

I honestly think it is less to do with our respective countries (having read a few threads on here now) and more due to just a general decline in people's abilities to be civil and respectful to each other. I dread to think at 33 that I can really pull off the 'back in my day' rant but it does feel like it sometimes.

 

I honestly think it is less to do with our respective countries (having read a few threads on here now) and more due to just a general decline in people's abilities to be civil and respectful to each other. I dread to think at 33 that I can really pull off the 'back in my day' rant but it does feel like it sometimes.

I couldn't agree more! And, even though I'm older than you, it does frighten me a bit that I've already turned into a grumpy old woman!