Grocery Store Etiquette: Who is responsible for placing divider between groceries?

ukywyldcat · 03-23-07, 09:34 PM

I never put the divider behind my groceries for the next person. I always let them be responsible for that when my groceries move forward and give them some space. I get a lot of dirty looks. Is there some rule that the person with room behind their groceries is responsible for placing the divider on the conveyor-belt so the other person can then place their groceries on the conveyor?

jfoobar · 03-23-07, 09:36 PM

You put down your own divider to keep your groceries separated from the person in front of you, at least IMHO.

Lunatikk · 03-23-07, 09:38 PM

I put the divider behind my groceries to make sure I don't pay for shit that I don't want.

Kittydreamer · 03-23-07, 09:41 PM

I put down the divider to make sure I don't pay for stuff I don't want either but also because it seems like the polite thing to do and it's really not hard to do so I don't mind.

cdollaz · 03-23-07, 09:42 PM

Whichever one gives a shit. I leave a big enough gap between the person in front of me so it is obvious. If someone behind me wants to use it, go for it.

Green Smurf · 03-23-07, 09:53 PM

usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down.

Eplicon · 03-23-07, 09:54 PM

I do it, but half the time, like when giving a driver/pedestrian the right of way, I don't get the "thank you" courtesy. I always give the gratitude when someone puts down the divider so I can put down my groceries, however.

fumanstan · 03-23-07, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Smurf

usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down.

This is my thought too, you're closer to the dividers. The person behind you shouldn't have to reach over all your stuff to get to the divider.

I get thank you's most of the time when i do it.

Thor Simpson · 03-23-07, 10:15 PM

ukywyldcat's responsibility.

das Monkey · 03-23-07, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Smurf

usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down.

Yeah, this is a no-brainer.

das

mikehunt · 03-23-07, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Smurf

usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down.

+1

fargreg · 03-23-07, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eplicon

I do it, but half the time, like when giving a driver/pedestrian the right of way, I don't get the "thank you" courtesy. I always give the gratitude when someone puts down the divider so I can put down my groceries, however.

Just because someone doesn't SAY thank you doesn't mean they don't appreciate it. I almost never say thank you to people, but I still appreciate it when people do something nice for me, and I don't ever expect them to say it to me. It's not that I'm rude, I just wasn't raised around people who always said thank you, the other person knew that you were thankful.

innocentfreak · 03-23-07, 10:44 PM

People actually use the divider? I have never used the divider except for the occasional time where the person in front of me put it behind their groceries. I always just leave enough space for it to be clear.

J-Dubya · 03-23-07, 11:14 PM

this should be a poll numbnuts

Altimus Prime · 03-23-07, 11:25 PM

I always use the self-checkout.

I like to do it myself.

...

... wait, that doesn't sound quite right...

calhoun07 · 03-23-07, 11:29 PM

I never use the divider either. I just start putting my stuff up when there is a decent amount of space between my groceries and the person's in front of me.

The only time I had a problem was when this old ass man in front of me panicked when the belt started to move because the cashier was done with the previous customer. While the customer was paying for their groceries, and the old ass man had his stuff far enough ahead that I didn't think I needed a divider, I started to put my stuff up on the belt. After the cashier took the last item for the customer who was ready to pay off the belt the belt started to move and the old ass man kept on pulling his items back. The belt kept on going and my groceries started to mingle with his as he was holding them back with his arms. The cashier turned the belt off and I grabbed the divider to appease the panicking old man. I wanted to belt him over the head with it, actually.

ukywyldcat · 03-23-07, 11:37 PM

I don't do it because the divider is a filthy ass stick. I touch enough dirty things throughout the day. Anytime I can eliminate another filthy thing to touch, I do it. Flame away...

brizz · 03-23-07, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukywyldcat

I never put the divider behind my groceries for the next person. I always let them be responsible for that when my groceries move forward and give them some space. I get a lot of dirty looks. Is there some rule that the person with room behind their groceries is responsible for placing the divider on the conveyor-belt so the other person can then place their groceries on the conveyor?

in other words you are a selfish twit. put the divider down. you want them climbing over you to get to it?

ukywyldcat · 03-23-07, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brizz

in other words you are a selfish twit. put the divider down. you want them climbing over you to get to it?

You are a selfish twit for not taking responsiblity for your own groceries and your own separation. I'm already on the conveyor. If you'd like to be on, too, take responsibility for separating your groceries from mine.

Rockmjd23 · 03-23-07, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukywyldcat

You are a selfish twit for not taking responsiblity for your own groceries and your own separation. I'm already on the conveyor. If you'd like to be on, too, take responsibility for separating your groceries from mine.

Just wondering, at what point do you put your stuff on the conveyor when someone is checking out in front of you?

ukywyldcat · 03-23-07, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmjd23

Just wondering, at what point do you put your stuff on the conveyor?

After the person in front of me places the divider down.

Or, after there is plenty of room to not mix our groceries together.

Red Dog · 03-24-07, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Smurf

usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down.

Common sense.

Quake1028 · 03-24-07, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Dog

Common sense.

Same.

Cygnet74 · 03-24-07, 03:46 AM

the lesser of the two assholes places the divider.

Josh-da-man · 03-24-07, 04:26 AM

This discussion is going to start going the way of the burrito thread.

I can feel it in my bones.

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03-23-07, 09:34 PM	#1
ukywyldcat DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Peoples Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 3,382	Grocery Store Etiquette: Who is responsible for placing divider between groceries? I never put the divider behind my groceries for the next person. I always let them be responsible for that when my groceries move forward and give them some space. I get a lot of dirty looks. Is there some rule that the person with room behind their groceries is responsible for placing the divider on the conveyor-belt so the other person can then place their groceries on the conveyor? __________________ Happiness is a warm gun and a lit cigar. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives should be the name of a store not a government agency.

03-23-07, 09:36 PM	#2
jfoobar DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 31,579	You put down your own divider to keep your groceries separated from the person in front of you, at least IMHO. __________________ If you can’t say something nice, don’t say something nice.

03-23-07, 09:53 PM	#6
Green Smurf DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Summerfest Posts: 1,227	usually the person in front is closer to the divider, so it's just common courtesy to grab the divider and plunk it down. __________________ I'm baaaaack. Selling my belongings so I can move on ebay Rainbowbrite716 Xbox gamertag: Dr Lori Won / PS3 Jedi_Lori_aye Don't confuse my point of view with cynicism. The real cynics are the ones who tell you that everything's gonna be all right.-George Carlin

03-23-07, 10:15 PM	#9
Thor Simpson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 35,022	ukywyldcat's responsibility. __________________ I'm not a fan of people quoting others and saying "This," but... This. - VinVega

03-23-07, 10:44 PM	#13
innocentfreak DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 1,733	People actually use the divider? I have never used the divider except for the occasional time where the person in front of me put it behind their groceries. I always just leave enough space for it to be clear. __________________ Humans United Against Robots 360 Gamertag: Nobrumski Steam: Nobrumski

03-23-07, 09:38 PM	#3
Lunatikk DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: My Car Posts: 6,563	I put the divider behind my groceries to make sure I don't pay for shit that I don't want.

03-23-07, 09:42 PM	#5
cdollaz DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 12,917	Whichever one gives a shit. I leave a big enough gap between the person in front of me so it is obvious. If someone behind me wants to use it, go for it.

03-23-07, 09:54 PM	#7
Eplicon DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 2,074	I do it, but half the time, like when giving a driver/pedestrian the right of way, I don't get the "thank you" courtesy. I always give the gratitude when someone puts down the divider so I can put down my groceries, however.

03-23-07, 11:14 PM	#14
J-Dubya DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,292	this should be a poll numbnuts __________________ "I would imagine if you could understand Morse code, a tap dancer would drive you crazy. You'd say "Shut up! I don't understand! 'Share'...'the'...'we'...'too' -- I don't get it!" - Mitch Hedberg

03-23-07, 11:25 PM	#15
Altimus Prime Guest Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Posts: 2,239	I always use the self-checkout. I like to do it myself. ... ... wait, that doesn't sound quite right...

03-23-07, 11:29 PM	#16
calhoun07 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 14,294	I never use the divider either. I just start putting my stuff up when there is a decent amount of space between my groceries and the person's in front of me. The only time I had a problem was when this old ass man in front of me panicked when the belt started to move because the cashier was done with the previous customer. While the customer was paying for their groceries, and the old ass man had his stuff far enough ahead that I didn't think I needed a divider, I started to put my stuff up on the belt. After the cashier took the last item for the customer who was ready to pay off the belt the belt started to move and the old ass man kept on pulling his items back. The belt kept on going and my groceries started to mingle with his as he was holding them back with his arms. The cashier turned the belt off and I grabbed the divider to appease the panicking old man. I wanted to belt him over the head with it, actually. __________________ You can only please a woman with a dick made out of chocolate that ejaculates money.-Rhemus Windowless vans do NOT have candy, only rape.

03-23-07, 11:37 PM	#17
ukywyldcat DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Peoples Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 3,382	I don't do it because the divider is a filthy ass stick. I touch enough dirty things throughout the day. Anytime I can eliminate another filthy thing to touch, I do it. Flame away... __________________ Happiness is a warm gun and a lit cigar. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives should be the name of a store not a government agency. Last edited by ukywyldcat; 03-23-07 at 11:42 PM.

03-24-07, 03:46 AM	#24
Cygnet74 Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,830	the lesser of the two assholes places the divider.

03-24-07, 04:26 AM	#25
Josh-da-man DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: The Bible Belt Posts: 16,768	This discussion is going to start going the way of the burrito thread. I can feel it in my bones. [==========================================] __________________ "Here's to Boston cops, they did what so many men never have been able to do: they found the little man in the boat." -- Bill Maher