The bar is there for a reason- grocery shopping vent- long

[Tinijocaro]

I've always assumed it was the responsiblity of the next person in line to place the bar on the conveyer belt prior to loading their groceries. I don't think I have ever had the person in front of me put the bar on the belt. I usually do it myself and don't think twice about it. Nor do I ever put the bar after my groceries so I've probably annoyed a heck of a lot of people who think it should be my job!

Same here!

 

[va32h]

Sorry, OP, I don't put the bar after my groceries either. I just grab it myself, or leave a space if there isn't one or I can't reach it.

 

[QuiltTeddy]

Well, since I have had a lot of experience on this subjest I must weigh in.

Frequently, there is only one separator bar on each conveyor in the stores I shop. If there is only one bar, and the person in front of me doesn't want to move it to the back of their groceries, I make a little "barrier" our of my food items, leaving a good bit of space between my "barrier" and the customer's food that is in front of me. Then the cashier will look at the space between orders, and ask the customer ahead of me, "is this the last of your order?" or something to that effect.

SOMETIMES, and only sometimes, does the person move the bar themselves, usually it is the cashier and s/he will send it "flying back to me" so I can put it between my order and the one in front of me.

That's what I do also.

 

[luvflorida]

Finally, I looked up at him and said would it kill you to wait until I was done? He just looked at me like I was from Mars.

I would probably THINK this but never have the nerve to say it out loud!

I can just see someone being exasperated enough to say it though!

 

[FayeW]

On the other hand…

She ignored my question and at this time proceeds to squeeze the loaf of bread with her sizable Pretties. .

I think this may be a first, even for the DIS!

 

[4greatboys]

I always put it behind me. I have had a lot of ppl just start putting their stuff there, not even leaving space to tell its 2 seperate bunches.
I did have a VERY heated discussion with a lady one day who started to put her stuff on the belt while I was still putting mine up!! I wasnt even the the divider part yet!!
I was so mad. Anyone could plainly see I was still putting my things there, and with the belt moving her things were moving into mine. I shoved her stuff back. Told her she needed to wait her turn and put the divider up when I was through. Some ppl are idiots and there is just no getting around it.

 

[stinkerbelle]

i'm really quite shocked at this.

I *always* put the bar there *IF* there is someone directly behind me. If I'm already up at the Debit machine - get the bar yourself.

I like to have all my food on the belt before I check out..so yeah, I like a head start and it would be nice to have the bar already there between my food and the next person's food.

I put all my heavy stuff up front...then fill in the back...leaving the eggs/bread on the "non-moving part".

I have *no problem* with somone pushing my bread/eggs onto the belt if I'm falling behind in my cart-unloading or just being dense.

I dunno..just common curtesy to put the bar there.

I also return my cart to the carriage corall.

oooo...did I just say that? heheh

 

[luvflorida]

Well, after reading the replies so far, I can see the other side of this.

It just seems like the bar is always a lot closer to the person who just put their groceries on the counter and therefore a lot easier for them to place it behind their groceries.

It is just an automatic thing for me. I place my groceries on the counter, then out of habit, I put the bar behind them. I'm thinking I don't want to hold up the person behind me while they wait until they can reach the bar, and I don't want to have their groceries get mixed up with mine.

And you can bet, I'll NEVER touch anyone's food without their permission from now on! Nevermind the box of crackers, I think SHE was crackers!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Whenever some snot nosed person gives me attitude like that, I generally tell the offender to cram it where the sun don't shine. That always makes them shut up. 'Nuff said.

And you people think I'm such a goodie goodie!

You tell them to stick it up that planet that will go unnamed?

I usually place the bar behind my groceries. When the person in front of me puts it behind their groceries I thank them, assuming I was standing there when they did it (if the bar in front of me is already in place when I arrive in line I don't interupt the person to thank them ).

 

[Beth76]

If you want to use the bar whether to seperate the groceries in front of or behind you, you should put it in place. I've never even thought about the person in front of me doing it. I don't see how it's anyone's responsibility but your own.

 

[Deb in IA]

Am I also the only person who feels that the person who finishes putting their groceries on the counter is the one who should be courteous and place it AFTER their groceries as opposed to the next person in line putting the bar in FRONT of their own groceries?

I've always put the divider in front of my groceries.

 

[puggymom]

I usually take it and place it befoer I start to put my groceries there.

One time there was only one bar and I had finished putting my groceries on the belt when the person in front of me was still finishing paying. The cashier took the divider and slid it down so the person behind me could use it. She then proceeded to push my groceries up the belt to make more room for her. This included squashing the loaf of bread I was buying. I looked at her and said, pushing my food is not going to get you out of this store any sooner. By this time the cashier started checking me out. I told the cashier I would be right back as I had to get a new load of bread. I took my sweet time getting that bread. That lady had the nerve to yell at me after she squished my bread.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I've always put the divider in front of my groceries.

Same

 

[Mad4Mickey]

Whenever some snot nosed person gives me attitude like that, I generally tell the offender to cram it where the sun don't shine. That always makes them shut up. 'Nuff said.

And you people think I'm such a goodie goodie!

NO ONE is buying that ! Sell that load to someone else toots


I dont like folks to reach over my food so I always put the bar behind my stuff cause I really dont want to pay for food that is not mine !

 

[LoveWDW]

LOL @ playing with her food!

I always put the bar after my order. The bar is usually easier for me to reach than the person behind me. Also, I don't want to be charged for any of the other person's items, so I want that bar behind my order clearly marking where my order ends. I prefer that the person in front of me places the bar after their order. The bar is easier for them to reach, after all. But if they don't place it, and if it is not comfortable for me to reach it, I leave a space after their order and load mine onto the belt.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I'm actually quite shocked that something as simple as "the grocery bar" is dividing the Dis.

Is it a regional thing? heheh

 

[Chicago526]

I'll usually only put the bar after my stuff if the other person has no way of reaching the bar. If they can easliy reach it, then I usually don't bother. If I can't reach the bar and the person infront of me doesn't put it on the belt, I'll politely ask them to hand it to me. "Do you mind passing me the divider?" Hasn't been a problem yet!

But I do understand about having those little anoying insignifigant-in-the-grand-scheme-of-LIFE type things that just bug the living DAYLIGHTS out of you. We all have them.

 

[cristit14]

Wow, I think some people are way too tense at the grocery store.

 

[lulugirl]

Wow, I think some people are way too tense at the grocery store.

Ya think?

 

[p-nut]

I always put a bar in front and in back of my groceries. I just thought it was common courtesy to do so.