8 Things Trader Joe's Employees Want You to Stop Doing

Some of these will surprise you!

Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery store for several reasons, including its selection of high-quality, affordable products; unique seasonal offerings; warm, approachable vibe; and friendly staff members. It’s always a treat to shop the aisles at Trader Joe’s—a place where customers feel welcomed and in good hands for a pleasurable shopping experience.

As a TJ's customer, it’s natural to want to return that politeness as a way of thanking staff members for their kindness and hospitality and to help make their duties as easy and hassle-free as possible. And, despite having good intentions, it’s possible that you’re making a few common etiquette mistakes when shopping at Trader Joe’s without realizing it.

Here are a few examples of poor etiquette and mannerisms that are generally frowned upon by Trader Joe’s employees and should be avoided when in-store.

Bringing Tons of Reusable Bags with You

It’s a good idea to bring reusable bags when shopping for sustainability and convenience, but you don’t want to overdo it. “Reusable bags are required in some states and there are certainly best practices when using them,” says Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN, registered dietitian and author of "The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook" and "The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club."  However, showing up with a million reusable bags is actually considered poor etiquette, and it’ll make the employees’ lives and jobs a lot more challenging, inefficient, and difficult.

“TJ's is known for having a process where employees handle customers’ carts at checkout, vs. having customers needing to pull everything out onto the conveyor, so if you brought dozens of dirty bags shoved inside one another, the cashier will have a lot of extra work to do—aside from the basic ick factor, too,” Harris-Pincus says.

To be a polite, easy customer, only bring a select few bags (just those you really need) and keep them clean and accessible when at the store, so the lovely person ringing up your order won’t find the process tedious or burdensome.

Stepping in to Assist with Checkout

Trader Joe’s is a busy store—even during non-busy hours, which is why knowing the best and worst times to shop at Trader Joe’s can be helpful to avoid crowds and save time. Still, as a way to prepare for the busy times, there’s a specific checkout process that TJ’s employees adhere to in order to be as efficient as possible. “So, the employee scanning your groceries at checkout wants to move through your order as fast as possible in order to move on and help the next person in line,” Harris-Pincus explains.

The best way to assist is by letting the staff member handle the process, without stepping in to help. You may think you’re being polite and helpful, but at Trader Joe's, you’re actually just slowing down the process.

“These folks already understand the most efficient way to do it, and they don't need play-by-play instructions to keep the cold stuff together and not put the bread on the bottom—believe me, they know, and it just slows down the process,” Harris-Pincus says. Plus, it will likely annoy them, too, by making the packing process unnecessarily more cumbersome and tedious.

Putting Items You Don’t Want Back on the Wrong Shelves

It’s not hard to fill your shopping cart with a bunch of new, intriguing goodies at Trader Joe’s, only to realize just how far over budget you’ve gone. You might decide to make some cuts and save some items for your next trip. This isn’t a bad thing, as long as you put the items you no longer want back where you found them, in their appropriate locations.

“We all take items off the shelves now and then that we decide we don't want, but you want to put them back where you found them, especially with cold items, to demonstrate polite, correct behavior,” Harris-Pincus says.

If you’re unsure of where to return items, it’s best to avoid putting items on random shelves and instead just ask an employee. They’ll know where to put items back appropriately and will appreciate the honest communication.

Reaching for Items Near Employees Without Saying 'Excuse Me' or Acknowledging Them

Grabbing items off shelves in a quick, discreet manner, as a way to avoid disturbing employees who may be in the way or occupying the space, may seem like the polite thing to do; however, it’s not. In fact, Trader Joe’s staff members dislike it, and it’s a behavior that’s frowned upon.

Instead of “minding your business” to not cause any trouble, confront the employee that’s in the way and politely say, “Excuse me,” before reaching overhead or around them to grab items. “Not acknowledging the presence of an employee is considered rude because it fails to show basic courtesy and respect for them and their space,” explains registered dietitian Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. A brief acknowledgment will do the trick, as employees prefer to move or help rather than be ignored.

Asking Employees if They Work There (It’s Obvious!)

It’s fine to ask employees questions when you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s. However, the way in which you address them makes a difference. Some customers approach employees with a cautious or passive nature, and may first ask if they work there before mentioning requests.

“Asking a staff member if they work at the store, when it's evident they do, based on factors, including clothing or attire and the duties or types of activities they’re working on or executing at the store, is considered rude by TJ’s employees, and perceived as a lack of observation or common sense,” Best says. It's important to respect employees' roles and not waste their time with unnecessary or annoying questions, which can be frustrating for them, especially when it’s become a common incident and pattern.

Asking Different Employees for Help with the Same Request

If you need help finding an item, putting in a special request, or making a return, TJ’s employees are incredibly receptive and helpful. However, it’s impolite to ask multiple staff members for assistance with the same task or issue, as it demonstrates impatience and a lack of respect for their time and attention.

“Asking two different employees for help with the same item (finding an item, sampling a product, requesting, etc. whatever the need may be) is a form of bad etiquette by creating confusion and redundancy in their efforts,” Best says. Address the issue with just one employee, and if they aren’t able to resolve it, ask if there’s anyone else who can perhaps help.

Ignoring Employees’ Greetings When Welcoming You to the Store

Trader Joe’s employees are friendly and welcoming, so it’s not uncommon for staff to address you directly with a quick “hello” as you enter the store. “Ignoring employees who openly greet you can be seen as rude, since it’s dismissive of their efforts in providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere to customers, and doesn’t show basic acknowledgment of presence, as people or individuals,” Best explains. While it may not be mandatory to respond, you should, and a simple nod or smile is a courteous way to reciprocate their greeting.

Leaving Carts by the Register After Checking Out

When you’ve finished checking out, be sure to return your cart to its original and proper location before leaving the store. Some customers may think it’s polite to grab their packed bags and move out of the way, quickly exiting the store. However, a lack of care for your cart and not taking time to move it out of the way with you is frowned upon by Trader Joe’s employees, too.

“Leaving shopping carts by the register instead of returning them to their designated area can be perceived as inconsiderate because it creates clutter and inconvenience for both employees and other shoppers,” Best explains. Returning carts to their designated areas is the proper thing to do, as it helps with efficiency and shows respect for the store's organization and cleanliness. If you’re unsure, ask an employee at checkout where they belong—they’ll appreciate it.

Read the original article on All Recipes.