On average, I shop at Mollie Stone's on California Street in San Francisco twice a week. I've been picking up groceries there since I moved into my current apartment two years ago. Naturally, I've developed a relationship with everyone from the fishmonger to the spirits director to my favorite checkout guy, Travis, who always asks what I'm making. Being friendly with the supermarket's staff not only helps me get better service, but it also means I have a more enjoyable shopping trip. I have a feeling I'm not alone in the matter, so tell me, do you converse with the workers at your market?
Source: Getty
Freya
American Retro
Laura Biagiotti
Yes, but only because I worked in that store in college so I already know most of the staff.
1Gah! I couldn't imagine going to the grocery store twice a week!
2I once forgot my wallet and the checkout dude loaned me $20!!!!!!!
3Sounds like you had your bacon saved, Chief!
4I live in Norway. People don't do small talk here.
5Hmm... I wouldn't say "yes" but I wouldn't say I "prefer to be unfriendly" either. I shop at a Walmart mostly for grocieries and there's no way you could really get to know any one cashier there....
6Not friends with, but friendly with and clearly recognized. I live a quick walk away from Whole Foods and transport all my groceries on foot. Heavy loads make for an unpleasant walk, but, even more importantly, I find that stocking up on food items does not mesh well with my total lack of snacking self-control.
So, depending on the amount of cooking I do in a week -- and if my other errands take me past the further but cheaper Jewel -- it's common for me to stop in every other day. The guys at the fish counter clearly love my love of fish, and when I buy alcohol, many of the cashiers say that they've seen my ID before and not to bother getting it out.
7Oh yes! I've been shopping at the supertarget by my house for more than a decade, so I've gotten to know all the long-term employees, and often get to know the young kids working there as well. As a result I get great service everywhere from the bakery where they go the extra mile for my kid's classroom birthday cupcakes, to the baby department, where employees will take the extra time to search for an item I'm looking for in the store room.
Kindness ALWAYS counts!
8I'm antisocial and all about the self-checkout....except when this one insanely lazy employee is working. If she doesn't know the sku for a fruit or veggie she either just shoots a side-eye around and chucks it in the bag, or uses one she does know. That means super cheap plantains and free exotic fruit for me!
9Voting NO on this poll makes me sound like a snotty b*tch.
I am friendly but I don't stop to chit-chat or know any of them by name.
10I always shop at the same Aldi store every week and there's only like, 3 people that work there so they recognize me. I'm not as friendly with them as some of the other shoppers are, but one time I went there and my debit card had expired that day and I couldn't pay for my stuff. The cashier suggested that I go run to my bank and get my new card and she'd hold my groceries for me. I didn't have a lot of items, but she was very understanding and patient.
11No but with my bus driver, yes.
12Yep - I live around the corner from the shop and go there several times a week, for the last two years. It makes a bit difference.
13Heck Yea - Everyone at Whole Foods Knows Who I Am!!
14I don't choose either of them. I'm not buddies but I don't prefer to not talk to them.
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