The Unwritten Rules of Being a Line at the Grocery Store

Confessions of a Grocery Line Observer

The other day, I found myself doing that awkward shuffle-step-sigh routine we all do in grocery store lines. You know the one—where you’re stuck behind the person who seems to have brought their entire life’s savings in pennies, and the cashier is moving at the speed of a sedated sloth? Yeah, that one.

As I stood there, desperately willing my items to magically scan themselves, I realized something profound (or as profound as one can get while contemplating the structural integrity of a pudding cup): there’s an unspoken code of conduct for being in line at the grocery store. A set of unwritten rules we all instinctively follow (or at least, should follow).

Rule #1: Mastering the Grocery Store Buffer Zone

Personal space. It’s a thing, even in the land of overflowing carts and discounted produce. We all crave that invisible force field around us, especially when sandwiched between a mountain of groceries and a stranger’s backpack.

Pro-tip: Imagine a cashier-facing force field emanating from the person ahead of you. Aim for a buffer zone that allows comfortable breathing room without triggering the “Are you in line?” glare from the person behind you.

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