Ever been asked if you need help getting the groceries to the car? (state, seniors)
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When we shopped at Dierberg's in St. Louis we were always asked. Most of the time we two shopped together, and I always told them "I brought my help." By the way, Dierbergs is a great local chain. I still miss buying groceries there.
Here in the PNW, I shop at WINCO and Whole Foods. The latter is where I am asked if I need help. It isn't that so much that I find slightly annoying. Here is what that nice man says, "Miss, would you like help with your groceries?"
I hate being addressed as Miss. I am no Miss. I am, rather proudly, a Madam. But no one uses that term in a respectful way now. So, I suppose the nice man is reduced to using Miss to a 70 year old woman.
But, yes, they ask and I always decline. That time might come, but right now I'm still able bodied.
LOL. I remember when I was a child (yes, I can) and kids called everybody's mother "miss." No one was offended.
When the cashier (or anyone else) calls me "madam", I tell them, "You don't have to call me madam, I'm just one of the girls."
When we shopped at Dierberg's in St. Louis we were always asked. Most of the time we two shopped together, and I always told them "I brought my help." By the way, Dierbergs is a great local chain. I still miss buying groceries there.
Here in the PNW, I shop at WINCO and Whole Foods. The latter is where I am asked if I need help. It isn't that so much that I find slightly annoying. Here is what that nice man says, "Miss, would you like help with your groceries?"
I hate being addressed as Miss. I am no Miss. I am, rather proudly, a Madam. But no one uses that term in a respectful way now. So, I suppose the nice man is reduced to using Miss to a 70 year old woman.
But, yes, they ask and I always decline. That time might come, but right now I'm still able bodied.
Here in the south - we're not "Madams" - we're "Ma'ams" .
It's surprising how many people in this thread have mentioned Publix. And - as someone else pointed out - Publix has a strict no-tipping policy:
Note that I also shop occasionally at Whole Foods and Fresh Market. And neither seems to have a specific policy about asking customers whether they'd like help taking their groceries to the car. Some employees offer to - some don't. Although I'm sure both would offer help if a customer asked.
Finally - another thing people have mentioned is that many people working in grocery stores these days are seniors. At least as old as many of us - and sometimes older (the oldest employee at my local Publix is 93 - although she's not a bagger - she demos products). So I don't think the issue has anything to do with age/perceived disabilities/similar. It's just a question of corporate policy. Robyn
The baggers will automatically bring your groceries to your car at Strack and Van Til. I typically tell them ahead of time that I can do it myself; honestly because I don't want to tip them after spending a crap load of money on groceries! I'm not offended, it's a service they offer to everyone. More and more stores are doing it.
I am learning a lot by reading responses here. For one thing I would never tip for having help to carry groceries, either by staff or a helpful person in the parking lot. I am never offended by someone trying to be courteous either, but apparently many are. When someone holds a door open for you, do you think he/she is being snide or sarcastic? Or practicing one of the niceties of a kind hearted society. Giving someone the opportunity to do something nice for you allows them to feel good about doing it. Is that a problem? It never means, let me help because you are a physical wreck and I am clearly superior to you. You would not be shopping if you could not handle it by yourself. But every pleasant encounter in life is a win-win so why not just accept it.
For those shopping at Publix... it IS a policy to ask people if they want assistance. In fact, when my husband worked there part-time, he told me that the managers would actually have a talk with you if they saw you weren't helping people... so if they seem pushy, it's because they are being pushed.
Honestly though, I've never been insulted or anything that someone asks if I need help and I'm only 37.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Every time I have ever gone to a major supermarket where there was a bagger, he or she has asked if we needed help out, even if only one bag. We're in the low 60s now but this has gone on for 25 years at least, it's just policy at many stores. We have never accepted the offer, and I can't imagine that we ever will.
I've been asked many times and never took offense. I think that is just being a bit overly sensitive. Also, I've heard baggers ask others that are younger. I think it is just a courtesy.
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