An incident at a Sainsbury's store has underscored the complexities of supermarket etiquette after an employee refused to serve a customer who was talking on her mobile phone. The supermarket chain has no policy against phone use at the checkout, leaving both parties in the wrong according to the story.
A new primer on modern manners aims to help shoppers navigate this social minefield. It advises that a trip to the supermarket is best undertaken alone, and that ignoring acquaintances or hiding from them is acceptable courtesy. If conversation is unavoidable, it should be brief and conducted while moving to avoid obstructing aisles.
The guide also suggests accepting free samples but not lingering, and thanking the person ahead for placing a divider without making obligatory eye contact. Shoppers are advised not to engage with the robotic voice at self-checkout bays, and to help new staff by identifying unfamiliar items, such as fennel.
Finally, it warns that even when repeatedly asked, it is not acceptable to respond to a loyalty card query with profanity.
