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When I was a kid in SoCal, the box boys always asked my mom if she would like help out to the car. She usually said yes as she had a couple of little ones in tow. Then came the era of cut rate stores where you even had to bag your own groceries, so offers of loading help also disappeared. It's nice to see a bit of a comeback of such courtesies.
I get asked this question all the time and never feel insulted. I probably get asked because I hate grocery shopping and I tend to do giant shopping trips only a few times a year, rather than run in the store all the time. Often, I have 2 carts and they wonder how I will get them both out to the parking lot.
Petsmart asks me if I need help to the car no matter how big or small my order is. I'd imagine it is company policy.
no one will ask you that-ever- no one will care if you need help or not- I have never ever in 32 years living here seen a grocery store employee take groceries to a car for someone.
I am really irritated when they ask me that. I am healthy and in good physical condition. I usually reply, "Son, I could bench press you twenty times. I think I got this." Another annoying question is "Did you find everything?" I usual say something like "I couldn't find the frozen raccoon."
Locally, Publix asks if they can help but no other chains do. I am alway quite surprised at the number of "younger" shoppers that use them. I also think it is a break from their routine so many bagger's like doing it for that reason.
I laughed the other day when I had ONE very small plastic bag, light and not even full, and I was asked if I needed help.
I was also asked recently when I didn't even bother to get a cart or a basket - just had one item to pick up and disciplined myself well that day .. so that was all I bought. Since the item in question was a chicken in a package with a handle I didn't even take a bag - and I had obviously had no problem carrying it to the cash. I just thanked them and shook my head, no.
It has been years since I took anyone up on that offer but frankly I thought they do that so they can make extra tip money. Unless there is a HUGE noticeable sign that says 'Do not tip the bag boys' I would not trust it is not. No one 'says' anything but they do stand there looking like cabbies when the job is done, instead of immediately heading back inside. That part is uncomfortable for me .. I usually start to dig around for a dollar and when I am done, if they are still standing there, I hand it to them. Never been refused but for a very small order that does seem a bit much and it adds to the cost of groceries. Sometimes however I used my debit card inside and am carrying no change at all .. and that is worse.
They don't always ask even me however (and I am not young but I don't look decrepit yet as far as I know). It is inconsistent where I shop (at several stores). I rarely hear them ask the person in front of me unless that person is in a wheelchair, has a cane, has a lot of groceries and may be obviously struggling. I find they tend to ask more when there is more store staff - maybe they are just trying to stay busy so the manager doesn't criticize them or lay off staff .. who knows.
I am not offended by the offer, but I am sure it is part of training. Some corporate pinwad decided to have everybody say it every time or be reprimanded. It goes to extremes obviously, like someone mentioned, even for a stick of gum. I have fun with it and ask for help with sticks of gum. I would prefer doing everything myself, checking, bagging and loading. At Trader Joe's we always bring our recycled bags and do the bagging. At Natural Grocer's they don't provide bags so you have to bring them. At Winco you have to bag yourself. I am waiting for the day when you just load your cart then push it out to your car without even stopping but technology is extremely slow.
In NJ they never ask. In FL, Publix asks all the time. The person is generally at least 10 years older than me. I always say, "no thanks, that's what I've got him for", and point to my husband who is sitting on the bench waiting for me to finish the transaction.
I shop at Safeway and asked that all the time. They also have senior discount days which I'm reminded of when I'm at the checkout. I am not insulted by it, and appreciate their service.
The closest grocery store to me has hired young people specifically for taking groceries out and helping people load their cars. The first time I 'had to allow them to do their job' , I was confused. Now I readily agree to it, and engage with them as we saunter out of the store in these beautiful fall days- and the kids love it. I have come to love the interaction, and I can always bring a smile to their faces, too . Best thing for them? No shopping carts go out of the store- the transport is a specialty cart that easily handles snow, and nobody has to chase carts in the snow when it's 'that season'.
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, I was confused. Now I readily agree to it, and engage with them as we saunter out of the store in these beautiful fall days- and the kids love it. I have come to love the interaction, and I can always bring a smile to their faces, too 
. Best thing for them? No shopping carts go out of the store- the transport is a specialty cart that easily handles snow, and nobody has to chase carts in the snow when it's 'that season'.
