# Bag my own groceries!?! What could you POSSIBLY be saying?!? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 21, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553 "2003-05-21T14:17:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/141 "2003-05-23T02:02:16Z")
I didn’t mean you as in you personally-I meant a general you. I honestly didn’t MIND when people didn’t bag, actually. But I usually do help bag stuff. _shrugs_ ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/142 "2003-05-23T02:15:15Z")
Sorry, I assumed you meant me considering the subjects of this thread are those who don’t bag and I’m one of those. Anyhoo, let’s just call a truce okay? ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/143 "2003-05-23T02:22:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > Oh, and thanks, **Alexxandra** and **Second Star to the Right** for your posts. > > Funny how the only people on this thread who’ve actually _worked_ in a grocery store are the ones who aren’t getting all huffy about customers not bagging their own shit. Hey now cowboy, I didn’t complain, I have never worked in a grocery and I didn’t complain. BTW, I am still laughing at this thread. In the scheme of things it’s just a silly rant that many have been taking too seriously. I know we all have our rants, I am not poopooing this one bit but the world is in a major state of “what the fuck” and we complain about the most mundane and ridiculous shit. God forbid we went back to the time when the cashiers had to enter in a price with a key pad…or the time before that when the cashier had to figure it out all on a calculator or even before that when it was all written out. Look, folks, this thread has been a funny look at life. A bitch about bagging groceries has become almost a venom-filled thread because we all have other issues weighing on our minds. Relax a little, be in agreement or disagreement and don’t make it more than it is. BTW, the cashiers at my local King Soopers (Kroger affiliate) are union and make damn good money, $15-$25 an hour. They have pretty damn good benefits and despite the long hours on their feet, most of those I have are more than happy to bag the groceries I buy. Most, while they don’t know me by name do know my face and most usually greet me with a smile on their face. I am not a union supporting person but in this instance, I think the union has been good for this grocery chain. In addition, I have seen some cashiers from other stores working where I now shop. They have been with the chain for 20+ years. If they hated their job so much I think they would have left. Would I bag my own groceries while in an attended line and no bagger? Most likely not. I don’t buy that much anyway but that’s the nice thing about living where I do, people enjoy doing an honest job and a cashier’s job may or may not include bagging but they do it because it’s expected. But then again I am a little strange, I always thank them when I have to go through an attended line. I like to watch my bill as it happens. Nothing wrong with making an honest living. Any job you venture into, you have to look at it with the most pride you can. Hell, I have done some shitty ass jobs in my life which would put bagging groceries way up there. If you have pride in what you do, then that makes the difference. A cashier bagging groceries is not that big a fuckin’ deal. Hell, it’s better than cleaning out toilets that loose bowled customers have exploded over the toilet seat, under the rim and sometimes elsewhere in the hotel room…not to mention the sperm on the sheets, etc…but I still took pride in my job and not expecting my customers to be upstanding or help me. Life is too short to worry about trivial shit like that. Even though I had to clean such awful places, I still took pride in my job and would always try to go the extra mile to ensure they enjoyed their stay. Bagging groceries…bah, that’s easy, I do mine about 99.4% of the time I am there. But if I am in the regular lines, I expect that service, bag-kid or not. I’m still giggling though. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/144 "2003-05-23T02:34:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by techchick68 \* > \*\*Hey now cowboy, I didn’t complain, I have never worked in a grocery and I didn’t complain. > > \*\* I know it. I said that the only people participating in this thread that have actually worked in a grocery store _aren’t_ complaining. The biggest complainer after two pages of arguing finally confessed that she’d never even worked in a grocery store. I thought that was hysterical. Hence my point. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/145 "2003-05-23T02:36:18Z")
Sounds good to me. What I hated about bagging was when I asked people if they wanted paper or plastic and they’d say, “A bag.” One time, I shrugged and reached for a paper bag and she said, “That’s not a bag, that’s a sack.” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/146 "2003-05-23T02:38:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lezlers \* > I know it. I said that the only people participating in this thread that have actually worked in a grocery store _aren’t_ complaining. The biggest complainer after two pages of arguing finally confessed that she’d never even worked in a grocery store. I thought that was hysterical. Hence my point. Whooooooooosh. I have those whoos moments quite often. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![techchick68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@techchick68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/techchick68)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/147 "2003-05-23T02:40:11Z")
I have those whoos moments quite often. sheesh, I have those whoosh moments quite often. ---
**Author:** ![Second\_Star\_to\_the\_Right](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Second\_Star\_to\_the\_Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second_Star_to_the_Right)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/148 "2003-05-23T02:47:04Z")
Happy to oblige, \*\* lezlers \*\* 🙂 \*\* Guinastasia \*\*, that drives me insane. “Put 'em in a bag!” Sigh. We have two kinds of bags, people. Be specific. It is kind of funny how riled up some people get about this issue. Wonders never cease… ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/149 "2003-05-23T04:57:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Kn_ckers \* > \*\ ***msmith** : He should have done it because there WASN’T a bagger at that register. Instead, the cashier had to do the bagging, and that is not the cashier’s job. If indeed there HAD been a bagger, then there’s no reason the customer should have felt compelled to bag his own groceries. Since there wasn’t, it would be a good idea for him to have done it (thus allowing the cashier to continue his/her work with the other customers). \*\* Maybe he wasn’t from around there? Our grocery clerks quickly and immediately bag groceries even if they don’t have a bagger (which happens occasionally). We’d never even have a chance to get to the end of the counter to help bag even if we’d a mind to, because the clerks bag as they scan if they’re without a bagger. In addition, you would then have to fight your way back to the debit card scanner, which is located NOT at the end of the counter where the groceries are bagged, but directly in front of the clerk, to finish your transaction (why is it that the people in line behind you can NOT wait for you to finish your transaction and put your card and receipt away before nearly running you over to get to the card reader?). I don’t know about other states, but our clerks get paid pretty well up here. They’re union and work at Safeway stores that bought out an old Alaskan chain store. Part of the agreement was that “Carrs” the chain store got to keep it’s name, and that the employees would keep their jobs, seniority and good pay scale. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/150 "2003-05-23T06:50:36Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **msmith537** _ > > Juniper200, Cerri, Esprix - You may also continue to feel offended if you like. Or learn how to express yourself more eloquently than “Fuck You”. How about this, you cum-encrusted asshole - your bigotry is as disgusting as your ignorance is deep, your attitude is shitty, and your head is as far up your ass (which is to say, **A WHOLE FUCKING LOT** ). I’d call you a donkey-raping shit-eater, but that’s an insult to coprophillic gourmets. And I applaud you wearing your phallic tendencies on your forehead, because it will be that much quicker your sorry man-pussy gets banned. Now suck my left nut, floss with the pube, kiss my ass and **fuck off**. I hope I that was clear and interesting enough for you, dear. Esprix ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/151 "2003-05-23T07:55:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by StarvingButStrong \* > \*\*A question for **Carl\_A\_Norris** or any other Brit that cares to answer: > > You’ve said that all customers routinely bag their own groceries in English groceries. Does that apply to other types of stores, too? I mean, if you buy some shirts and a half-dozen pairs of socks, does the clerk/cashier just enter the prices and leave the goods lying there for you to stuff into a bag by yourself? > > I can’t think of a single ‘non-bagging’ type store here in America. In fact, even if you’re buying something like a single bottle of soda, you have to speak up quickly if you don’t want a bag. > > Oh…just thought of an exception: news agents. It doesn’t matter how many papers or magazines you buy, they don’t bag them. OTOH, they don’t have bags, period, so you can’t bag your own unless you came prepared. \*\* If i go to a shop and buy a couple of shirts then the shop assistant does indeed bag. Most shops are that way, but in most shops you are buying only a couple of items. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/152 "2003-05-23T11:31:17Z")
I’m confused: I don’t understand why the cashier isn’t bagging. Its not that hard - I did both for six months. The only time we had bagger and cashier was on some really busy days. ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553/153 "2003-05-23T19:01:44Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by msmith537 > > ## Juniper200, Cerri, Esprix - You may also continue to feel offended if you like. Or learn how to express yourself more eloquently than “Fuck You”. > > How about this, you cum-encrusted asshole - your bigotry is as disgusting as your ignorance is deep, your attitude is shitty, and your head is as far up your ass (which is to say, A WHOLE FUCKING LOT). I’d call you a donkey-raping shit-eater, but that’s an insult to coprophillic gourmets. And I applaud you wearing your phallic tendencies on your forehead, because it will be that much quicker your sorry man-pussy gets banned. Now suck my left nut, floss with the pube, kiss my ass and fuck off. > > I hope I that was clear and interesting enough for you, dear. > > Esprix _snickers_ I think that pretty much sums up my feelings about the matter. And for the record, not anywhere in my post did I say Fuck You. Since you weren’t apparently literate enough to read my post last time, I’ll reiterate (hope that wasn’t too big of a word for you): > [@](#): > > So, what…are single heterosexual men looked down upon for needing to consume non-fast food on occasion? Is there some sort of law requiring them to get their sisters or mothers to do their grocery shopping for them, in case they get called a "fag"by their non-grocery shopping buddies? > > What if the wife runs out of tampons and sends the husband to the store? Do they revoke his penis? I’m confused… being a woman and all, we’re not very smart, you know. Enlighten me please, you Statue of Manliness! Please bestow upon my lowly inferior womanly self your testosterone-driven wit and intelligence! > > Btw, you spelled understandable wrong. Fuckwit. :wally [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bag-my-own-groceries-what-could-you-possibly-be-saying/176553.md?page=7)