Grocery Store Pet Peeves

[mhsjax]

It's basic grammar. You don't have 'less than' 10 items, you have fewer than 10. Same as you don't ask for fewer coffee in the cup so you can add milk, you'd ask for less.

Math a. has different rules than language, and b. inequalities are generally of indiscriminate quality. If you're using a variable, there's not a way to know what the variable represents, etc.

If you don't understand that 8 items is less than 10 times, you have a problem. I don't go to the grocery store to learn grammar, and from everything I have read, this statement , especially in grocery stores, in commonly accepted now, not in England, but here in the US.

And when my kids were small they were taught that 8<10. No variable there. So, it stands that 8 items are less than 10 items. If that makes me wrong so be it, I have better things to worry about.

Also to me it is about word placement, just as you wouldn't end a sentence in a preposition I find that saying 10 items or fewer just sounds so wrong, now if the sign stated fewer than 10 items I would get that. Just as I would say I have fewer items than you, and not I have less items than you. But the other just sound plain stupid. Kind of like "Where are you at?" Grates on the nerves.

 

[vcunning]

On the flip side, I love our Stop and Shop in CT. You get a hand held scanner device when you go in. I scan as I go along and pack my bags right in the cart. At check out, it's a 20 second process to register the scanner, scan your loyalty card and deliver payment. Plus my 6-year old likes to be the scanner guy and reads me the prices as we go.

 

[cornflake]

If you don't understand that 8 items is less than 10 times, you have a problem. I don't go to the grocery store to learn grammar, and from everything I have read, this statement , especially in grocery stores, in commonly accepted now, not in England, but here in the US.

And when my kids were small they were taught that 8<10. No variable there. So, it stands that 8 items are less than 10 items. If that makes me wrong so be it, I have better things to worry about.

Math and language are not the same. It may be accepted in places, though it's correct in places so it's clearly not universal to have it wrong. Also accepted in places - "The team didn't want to loose,' 'I would of done that,' etc. Because a lot of people don't have a grasp of basic grammar in their native language doesn't mean we should just let it go, imo.

There may be a variable, the math sign doesn't change if there is or isn't. However, the 8<10 is still indiscriminate. If you have eight bagels, that is fewer bagels than if you had 10. Eight without a qualifier, however...

If you have better things to worry about, why does it bother you that some of us would prefer the signs be grammatically correct?

 

[TifffanyD]

If you don't understand that 8 items is less than 10 times, you have a problem. I don't go to the grocery store to learn grammar, and from everything I have read, this statement , especially in grocery stores, in commonly accepted now, not in England, but here in the US.

And when my kids were small they were taught that 8<10. No variable there. So, it stands that 8 items are less than 10 items. If that makes me wrong so be it, I have better things to worry about.

Also to me it is about word placement, just as you wouldn't end a sentence in a preposition I find that saying 10 items or fewer just sounds so wrong, now if the sign stated fewer than 10 items I would get that. Just as I would say I have fewer items than you, and not I have less items than you. But the other just sound plain stupid. Kind of like "Where are you at?" Grates on the nerves.

Nobody said we couldn't UNDERSTAND "10 items or less" signs... just that it's wrong. Same as I could understand your post complaining about it - even though it was riddled with spelling and grammar errors.

 

[mhsjax]

Nobody said we couldn't UNDERSTAND "10 items or less" signs... just that it's wrong. Same as I could understand your post complaining about it - even though it was riddled with spelling and grammar errors.

Probably is, no coffee yet and I am not a grammar person, basic yes but not so much. And with no coffee yet, well I just can't function. But, thanks for pointing that out.

 

[TifffanyD]

Speaking of things that sound wrong but are right... the whole data being plural still gets me. "The data were incorrect" sounds so odd but I do know that's how you say it.

 

[TifffanyD]

On the flip side, I love our Stop and Shop in CT. You get a hand held scanner device when you go in. I scan as I go along and pack my bags right in the cart. At check out, it's a 20 second process to register the scanner, scan your loyalty card and deliver payment. Plus my 6-year old likes to be the scanner guy and reads me the prices as we go.

I'd like those... could check prices as I go! Is it easy to unscan something if you change your mind?

 

[mhsjax]

Math and language are not the same. It may be accepted in places, though it's correct in places so it's clearly not universal to have it wrong. Also accepted in places - "The team didn't want to loose,' 'I would of done that,' etc. Because a lot of people don't have a grasp of basic grammar in their native language doesn't mean we should just let it go, imo.

There may be a variable, the math sign doesn't change if there is or isn't. However, the 8<10 is still indiscriminate. If you have eight bagels, that is fewer bagels than if you had 10. Eight without a qualifier, however...

If you have better things to worry about, why does it bother you that some of us would prefer the signs be grammatically correct?

Fine, you worry about it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

seriously? WE are talking about grocery shopping and how many items you have, does fewer or less really bother you people, I swear the things I see here, boggles the mind. YOu all are going to die young, because of all the stress from hating minor things. I think we all know what 10 or less means, it means less than ten. I do seem to remember greater than or less than signs, in math, was this wrong also? Because it has been taught that way for years. If I can determine that 9 items is less than 10, then I don't need to be grocery shopping to begin with. The is just beyond silly.
Now off to tell all the teachers and text book writers that greater and and less than signs have to be re written and retaught to fewer, because we wouldn't want anyone not be to be able to determine that 8 is less than 10, but it is in fact fewer than 10.

If you don't understand that 8 items is less than 10 times, you have a problem. I don't go to the grocery store to learn grammar, and from everything I have read, this statement , especially in grocery stores, in commonly accepted now, not in England, but here in the US.
And when my kids were small they were taught that 8<10. No variable there. So, it stands that 8 items are less than 10 items. If that makes me wrong so be it, I have better things to worry about.
Also to me it is about word placement, just as you wouldn't end a sentence in a preposition I find that saying 10 items or fewer just sounds so wrong, now if the sign stated fewer than 10 items I would get that. Just as I would say I have fewer items than you, and not I have less items than you. But the other just sound plain stupid. Kind of like "Where are you at?" Grates on the nerves.

This is awesome. I totally agree.

Nobody said we couldn't UNDERSTAND "10 items or less" signs... just that it's wrong. Same as I could understand your post complaining about it - even though it was riddled with spelling and grammar errors.

Who cares if its wrong? Everyone understands what it means, thats the point of the sign isnt it? I honestly cant believe people would be bothered by this. Its pretty funny and sad at the same time.

 

[TifffanyD]

Oh ok... all of the brilliant arguments have convinced me... let the signs say whatever they want regardless of grammar or other rules.

Next time I am slightly bothered by something I will check with disboards to see if I am justified or if I need to change my opinion to suit yours.



Is that what you wanted?

 

[cornflake]

This is awesome. I totally agree.




Who cares if its wrong? Everyone understands what it means, thats the point of the sign isnt it? I honestly cant believe people would be bothered by this. Its pretty funny and sad at the same time.

I understand what people mean when they say 'I don't want to lose the game' or 'I would of gone to bed earlier.' Doesn't make them correct.

If you saw those errors in a book, wouldn't you wonder? We're not talking about someone saying something casual, but big, printed, permanent signs. Why shouldn't they feature correct grammar?

It's like when you see a sign in a shop window that reads, 'sale on toy's' or what have you. It's cringeworthy and does not give a good impression of the shop, imo. I think better of a shop with correct usage on its signs; to me it makes it seem as if someone in there is educated and cares about detail.

 

[jrmasm]

Where do you live that the signs are right?! Here SOME Whole Foods get it right and a couple other places, everyplace else has 'X items or less.' I'm interested in moving to the land of proper grammar.



You know that's not a rule though, right? I mean they're just parking spots. I couldn't care less if the store wants to label 15 'courtesy' spots for people with various whatever, makes no nevermind to me.

I hate those spots. They are just so dumb. Being pregnant or having a child is not a disability.

And my teen is under 18 therefore still a child so yeah, there are days I park there. And if the sign says 'small children', I still can still part there. She's really short.

 

[cornflake]

I hate those spots. They are just so dumb. Being pregnant or having a child is not a disability.

And my teen is under 18 therefore still a child so yeah, there are days I park there. And if the sign says 'small children', I still can still part there. She's really short.

I think everyone should park there - especially with like, their elderly parents or with a purse dog or when shopping alone. If some busybody asks, have a fun answer. 'I'm the child, my mom lets me drive tho!' or 'I have three children, can't you see them?!' They're ridiculous, I don't know anyone who cares to follow those signs.

 

[Sparkly]

Our Tesco is awful for:
-Grumpy service
-Poor restrooms
-People leaving carts in the middle of the aisle to have a nice catchup whilst I have to navigate round them
-Employees leaving those big carts in the aisles
-Never having any of the item that's on special offer available.
-Rude cashiers who hold conversations with each other when they should be working

 

[goofyintoronto]

Oh ok... all of the brilliant arguments have convinced me... let the signs say whatever they want regardless of grammar or other rules.

Next time I am slightly bothered by something I will check with disboards to see if I am justified or if I need to change my opinion to suit yours.



Is that what you wanted?

I understand what people mean when they say 'I don't want to lose the game' or 'I would of gone to bed earlier.' Doesn't make them correct.

If you saw those errors in a book, wouldn't you wonder? We're not talking about someone saying something casual, but big, printed, permanent signs. Why shouldn't they feature correct grammar?

It's like when you see a sign in a shop window that reads, 'sale on toy's' or what have you. It's cringeworthy and does not give a good impression of the shop, imo. I think better of a shop with correct usage on its signs; to me it makes it seem as if someone in there is educated and cares about detail.

The blatantly obvious incorrect signs are cringe worthy, such as the one you just described. But even if the grocery store signs are incorrect, I guess it just flows off the tongue a bit better....therefore sounding correct....which makes it ok. Afterall, if a ton of grocery stores across north america all have the same 'incorrect' signs, then it must be correct (in another world perhaps). Makes sense? Im glad I can help.

 

[mhsjax]

I understand what people mean when they say 'I don't want to lose the game' or 'I would of gone to bed earlier.' Doesn't make them correct.

If you saw those errors in a book, wouldn't you wonder? We're not talking about someone saying something casual, but big, printed, permanent signs. Why shouldn't they feature correct grammar?

It's like when you see a sign in a shop window that reads, 'sale on toy's' or have you. It's cringeworthy and does not give a good impression of the shop, imo. I think better of a shop with correct usage on its signs; to me it makes it seem as if someone in there is educated and cares about detail.

According to one of the sites I just visited, even some of the language peeps are arguing over this, some say a grocery store order is considered a mass noun and not a counting noun and so less could be used. So really, just as with anything, people will argue and all will feel that they are correct. Now, I am off to the grocery store. It is my big shopping day, so this 20 times or fewer/less line will have no meaning for me today.

 

[goofyintoronto]

According to one of the sites I just visited, even some of the language peeps are arguing over this, some say a grocery store order is consider a mass noun and not a counting noun and so less could be used. So really, just as with anything, people will argue and all will feel that they are correct. Now, I am off to the grocery store. It is my big shopping day, so this 20 times or fewer/less line will have no meaning for me today.

I knew it had to have been correct in another world! LOL! Thanks for clarifying. Happy shopping!

 

[mhsjax]

I knew it had to have been correct in another world! LOL! Thanks for clarifying. Happy shopping!

Thanks, will do.

 

[rgf207]

I don't see what the problem with that is if there's no item limit to a self checkout??? I always use the self checkout for my full grocery order because I prefer to pack my own bags and make sure everything comes up right when it rings through. There are self checkouts in my store for under 10 items and also regular ones so I don't see what's wrong with having 50+ items at the regular self checkout.

Right or wrong, it's my pet peeve

 

[mjkacmom]

Now off to tell all the teachers and text book writers that greater and and less than signs have to be re written and retaught to fewer, because we wouldn't want anyone not be to be able to determine that 8 is less than 10, but it is in fact fewer than 10.

About 5 years ago, our 60 year old grocery store changed the signs, from LESS to FEWER.