Would you let an elderly person carry your groceries for you?

[Ephany]

I would agree with you if that was their ONLY job. If I let one person take my groceries out, the person behind me loses their bagger. If that person is elderly and needs help, they may now have to wait for the person helping me to return.

I usually do it myself, however if at our store if the bagger helps you out the spot is pretty much immediately filled with the cashier from the next stand (if their line is empty) or one of the front end managers until the bagger comes back. Heck, I've even seen the produce and grocery managers up there bagging groceries; I'm pretty sure they'll take your cart out also if you'd like.

I'm sure that the employee knew what the physical requirements were when they were hired; I'm glad they're there for the people that do need the assistance.

 

[Chuck S]

I almost always tote & load my own groceries. The exception was when I was temporarily in a wheelchair for a few weeks a couple of yeas ago. I'm glad to see them offer the service for those that need it.

 

[minkydog]

First I want to say that I agree with you. BUT I would have more of an issue with management having the elderly people as bag carriers in the first place. There are other jobs they could be doing and younger people on shift that could be taking the groceries out. The only one I wouldn't have a problem with in your examples is the healthy middle aged woman. If it is her job and I needed help I would not mind it coming from her. No matter how much help I needed, I don't think I could take it from an elderly person I should probably be helping.

But a lot of them work as baggers because they get to talk to lots of people. They WANT that job! In my case I usually take my own groceries out. There are a couple of autistic and otherwise mentally challenged young men (I like that term, btw) who insist on pushing my cart, so I let them. The only time I ask the elderly men to take my cart out is if I'm alone with my handicapped son. It's so hard to manage him in the parking lot and it's darn near impossible to manage him AND a cart.

 

[tasha99]

Yes, I would allow a person who has willingly applied for and accepted a particular job to carry my groceries. I feel like it would be insulting to not allow them to do that and treat them as if they were too delicate to be do their job well.

I agree with this. As a society, I think we discount the abilities of senior citizens too much.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

The elderly people I know LOVE the heat and humidity and just being outside during the warm weather.

Personally, I hate this weather. But I would still carry my own groceries. Of course, the store I shop at lets me check out my groceries, too. I'm very self-sufficient. LOL.

But I wouldn't judge people who had their groceries carried out simply by the observations in the OP, either.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Does anyone else remember when this used to be the norm? Like having the guy at the gas station pump your gas? I remember as a kid that all the stores we went to had someone to bag your groceries and push the cart to your car, help load them and then take the cart back. There were no "cart corrals" in the parking lot for you to return your own cart. There were also no giant Walmarts and other discount places.


I don't think I am THAT old or lived in a strange place.

 

[Chuck S]

Does anyone else remember when this used to be the norm? Like having the guy at the gas station pump your gas? I remember as a kid that all the stores we went to had someone to bag your groceries and push the cart to your car, help load them and then take the cart back. There were no "cart corrals" in the parking lot for you to return your own cart. There were also no giant Walmarts and other discount places.


I don't think I am THAT old or lived in a strange place.

We have an upscale grocery store in San Antonio where the checker unloads your cart, (no conveyor belt or turntables) , the bagger bags and totes, as the free valet brings your car up from the underground parking (where it stays cool). They are more like an old-fashioned grocery store, very few pre-packaged meats, you need to see the butcher and the fish monger for most items, and a full service hot deli with pre-prepared full meals, and a beautiful produce section. Of course, most items are "specialty" store priced. I shop there every couple of months, though...they do have the freshest foods.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Does anyone else remember when this used to be the norm? Like having the guy at the gas station pump your gas? I remember as a kid that all the stores we went to had someone to bag your groceries and push the cart to your car, help load them and then take the cart back. There were no "cart corrals" in the parking lot for you to return your own cart. There were also no giant Walmarts and other discount places.


I don't think I am THAT old or lived in a strange place.

I remember it and I'm only 32. That said, I carry my own groceries. I don't care whether the person offering is young or old.

 

[MushyMushy]

You really made me think in bringing this up!

We don't have Publix where I live and nobody carries groceries out, although they do bag here.

I guess my thoughts are, if I'm paying more to go to a store because I like that service, then I want my groceries to be carried out! BUT, knowing me, I'd feel horrible allowing someone elderly carry them for me, so I'd probably stop shopping there. Then I'd feel bad and worry I were putting someone out of a job. No win situation for me.

Why would they be hired for that job if they weren't capable of fulfilling all their duties? I agree with the poster who said they'd be angrier with management for hiring them in the first place.

 

[merryweather20]

I would agree with you if that was their ONLY job. If I let one person take my groceries out, the person behind me loses their bagger. If that person is elderly and needs help, they may now have to wait for the person helping me to return.

I would also agree with you if there was anyway that they would think, "Oh wow! She doesn't want me to take her groceries out because I am too delicate." I don't think that is the case. At my Publix, I think the vast majority of customers schlep their own groceries. Both young and old are turned down regularly. A simple, "thanks so much but I've got it" works fine.

I know it gets into the whole, "they shouldn't take the job if they can't handle the duties" but it just never crosses my mind to let anyone, let alone someone much older, do something for me that I am perfectly capable of doing. If I was paying for the service, that is a whole different story.

I'll try to keep this as nice as possible, cause I'm pretty offended .

I guess I'm not sure why it isn't enough for you that the gentleman and Publix both deemed him fit for the job . If he wasn't to be carrying groceries out to the car then he wouldn't have. They would have had someone else do the carrying out.

I kow you think you know what the gentleman's medical condition is from his gate and his age, but you probably guessed wrong. I'm not elderly, but its very evident that I'm not in perfect health. People frequently make comments or guess what I can and can't do and they are wrong. They are wrong every single time. How are you so sure the gentleman didn't need a short break from bagging to stretch his legs and give his hands a rest?

 

[CowboyCO]

Publix offers to take your groceries out to your car for you and load them. They are not allowed to accept tips. I think it is a great service for some situations.

I sat in the car while my DD ran in to pick up one item. These are the things I observed:

1. An elderly lady using a 3 wheeled walker had her groceries carried out by a middle aged female. They looked like they were talking a little but the lady was just trying to maneuver to her car without falling.

2. A young lady (25?) in an exercise outfit had her groceries pushed out by a gentleman that was probably 60 - 64 y/o. She had three bags and he put them in her trunk. This employee does not speak a word of English so there wasn't any conversation taking place.

3. A mom with her 3 y/o in the front of the cart had her five bags of groceries pushed out and loaded into her car by a 72 y/o male with severe scoliosis. I know the guy well. He is a sweet man and super talkative but he has a lot of pain. The toddler sneezed multiple times as the elderly man pushed the cart. I hope it was just allergies.

The temperature is in the 90's with high humidity.

My point is, I honestly don't think I could sleep at night if I made an elderly person push my cart and load my groceries when I am in better shape and more than capable of doing it myself. I totally understand the first situation and I am certainly glad Publix offers this service but I never let anyone cart my groceries for me; young or old. If the day comes when I need the help, I will certainly use their great service but not before it is necessary. Am I alone on this one? Based on what I saw today, I am thinking I am.

Well, this is their job. Would I? Not usually. But there have been times when I appear to completely healthy when in fact I have a severe back problem that putting groceries in a car would likely cause back spasms. I would likely accept the offer of help out and also mention that I have a wrecked back.

Helping someone with groceries is just good customer service. Declining the service purely because of the age or perceived wellness of the employee would be a little demeaning. As we get older, us guys still want to be productive and useful. I don't think I'll ever "retire".

 

[minkydog]

First I want to say that I agree with you. BUT I would have more of an issue with management having the elderly people as bag carriers in the first place. There are other jobs they could be doing and younger people on shift that could be taking the groceries out. The only one I wouldn't have a problem with in your examples is the healthy middle aged woman. If it is her job and I needed help I would not mind it coming from her. No matter how much help I needed, I don't think I could take it from an elderly person I should probably be helping.

But a lot of them work as baggers because they get to talk to lots of people. They WANT that job! In my case I usually take my own groceries out. There are a couple of autistic and otherwise mentally challenged young men (I like that term, btw) who insist on pushing my cart, so I let them. The only time I ask the elderly men to take my cart out is if I'm alone with my handicapped son. It's so hard to manage him in the parking lot and it's darn near impossible to manage him AND a cart.

 

[bumbershoot]

I honestly don't think I could sleep at night if I made an elderly person push my cart and load my groceries when I am in better shape and more than capable of doing it myself.

I wouldn't feel good about having *anyone* take my bags out if I'm capable of doing it. There's one store where they say they "have to" do it, and I'm so glad we don't live nearby anymore, b/c while I loved that store, I disliked that policy. I'm just not into having people's mitts all over my groceries once I've paid and they are in bags (I dislike bagging my own stuff...those trained in it seem to do a much better job!). ...on the other hand, I also really dislike using the self-checkout!

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

Does anyone else remember when this used to be the norm? Like having the guy at the gas station pump your gas? I remember as a kid that all the stores we went to had someone to bag your groceries and push the cart to your car, help load them and then take the cart back. There were no "cart corrals" in the parking lot for you to return your own cart. There were also no giant Walmarts and other discount places.


I don't think I am THAT old or lived in a strange place.

No, I remember all that. And to be honest, I prefer doing all those things myself. That's not to say that I think it would be wrong to have someone available to do it for me if I chose that, but I don't really consider it to be better customer service to have someone else do it. Also.... most places I know will do those things if the customer asks. I guess I just like doing things myself.

 

[yoopermom]

I miss our old Piggly Wiggly where you got a piece of paper with your cart number on it and, after paying, pulled your car up to the overhang and the bagger brought out your cart full of goodies and loaded them into your car. Sigh.....

Back to the original topic.

Terri

 

[TwinsinCA]

Does anyone else remember when this used to be the norm? Like having the guy at the gas station pump your gas? I remember as a kid that all the stores we went to had someone to bag your groceries and push the cart to your car, help load them and then take the cart back. There were no "cart corrals" in the parking lot for you to return your own cart.

What I remember is that the store would put the groceries in a plastic bin with a number and you'd get a card with the matching number. The bins would be pushed along a track of sorts that went outside. Then you'd drive up with your number and they loaded the groceries.


None of the stores around here insist on helping you with your cart. But most do offer and I always decline. I have not been in a situation yet where I could not manage alone. But I might someday, so it is nice they offer.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I find it inappropriate for you to judge the folks who work carry out.

Many senior citizens do it b/c they enjoy people and want something to do.

When I worked for Winn Dixie we had some delightful elders who enjoyed working. They were fully capable of pushing a cart to a car and assist or full on load the groceries. Several that worked with us only worked for minimal hours as they received SS benefits.

While I won't treat a bagger like a pack mule--I will not age discriminate and refuse help solely on that.

You are not obligated to take assistance, but I find it inappropriate to only accept help from the younger ones and not the older ones.

They were hired to do a job and between them and their employer--they can do the job.

I'm a bit befuddled on how you knew the one bagger didn't speak English.

My mood varies on when I will take the help but my decision has nothing to do with the individual who is bagging my groceries.

 

[Poohbear123]

Presumably the grocery carriers are working because they either need the money or the enjoy the job. Either way, if people do not use their services, then they would be unemployed. What would be worse? To have the elderly gentleman with scoliosis carry and load your groceries or have him potentially unemployed and possibly unable to buy groceries?

I would use their services.

It is a requirement for a Publix Employee/Bagger to CARRY OUT ANY AND EVERYONES GROCERIES....even it they may be OLD/Mentally challenged etc...it is THIER Job to do that, as its THIER JOB TO RETRIEVE THE CARTS OF CUSTOMERS FOR 2 HOURS IN THIER SHIFT. AND YES ITS HOT HERE IN SUNNY MIAMI AND YES THEY HAVE TO DO THIS EVEN IN THE RAIN....(Spoken from a 22 year employee).

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

^^ Please don't take this the wrong way, but I would NOT shop at a store where someone else was required to carry my bags for me. In fact, if I went to the store and didn't know that, I would probably get pretty annoyed.

What is the point of that?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

^^ Please don't take this the wrong way, but I would NOT shop at a store where someone else was required to carry my bags for me. In fact, if I went to the store and didn't know that, I would probably get pretty annoyed.

What is the point of that?

I have to say that the requirement is more that the bagger is not permitted to refuse it. I would have a hard time believing that a store would require a bagger to go against the wishes of the customer.

They are required to offer--the customer can ALWAYS say no.