Do you peek at grocery carts to see what other people buy?

Marll

Yeah I always do and see certain sterotypes played out over and over.

You almost always have those that look less well off with their carts full of junk food, those on food stamps here in America almost never have any real food at all, and they and their children tend to be overweight.

You have those that are obviously fitness nuts with their high protein shake mixes and generally healthy assortment of meats and veggies.

You have the vegan/vegetarians, most of which sadly don't have that much produce, but rather items that are processed and packaged that are obviously vegetarian in nature. Most of the times in my experience these people look tired, run down and sickly. If they have children the kids generally look gaunt.

You have the produce heavy veggies, who look healthier than their processed foods counterparts above, but still look a bit frail.

You then have the meat eaters, like me, who get all the jugemental stares, head shaking etc when you roll up to the check out line with 20+ lbs of meat, cheeses, cream, and loads of vegtables...somehow this is less acceptable to your average joe shopper than any of the above :laugh:

bm99

It's natural to be curious about other people. Unless you walk around with your head down, you are going to notice a cart, what's in it and the person it's attached to. Maybe some people are so absorbed with themselves they don't notice other people?

It's also natural to "judge" behavior you don't agree with. Should you knock over their cart and start yelling at them about nutrition? Of course not. But thinking to yourself "I can't believe they eat that crap, no wonder they're so big" doesn't make you a bad person. It's a logical leap: eat crap, get big.

I am a big person and I think it's funny what people must think of my cart. There is no expectation of privacy in a grocery store. Buy your groceries online if it bothers you so much (although I guarantee there is a person who will look at that list and make a judgement lol)

dbevisjr

Only if what's in the cart is more interesting than the lady pushing it.

verptwerp

When I was a check-out chick at a supermarket I'd always notice what people were buying - it's a boring job and it made it more entertaining!

The most confusing combination was a tin of catfood, a packet of drinking straws and a box of condoms.

I'm picturing that combo ROFLMAO

When I am buying only the good stuff like veggies, protein & dairy (as opposed to the days I'm getting crapfood for the hubby) it's rewarding to hear people comment on my healthy eating ...... and we usually get into SHORT, but rewarding conversations .... one checkout chick urged me to try quinoa ..... and I did & I love it ..... thank you, checkout chick LOL

daisysha

I do peek and sometime it's helpful as it reminds me to buy stuff I forget and it's a good time pass when you are waiting in a queue.

sl1ngsh0t

Back in 2005, I was in a Byerly's grocery store in Minneapolis and saw Garrison Keillor with his young daughter. She was sitting atop 3 boxes of "Nut Goodie" bars. They were they only 2 things in the cart. LOL.

mlb929

LOL, that's funny, it's never occurred to me. I do my best to try to not even make eye contact with people in the grocery store. I work in law and know WAY too much about too many people in our community. I do however get really embarrassed sometimes by what is in my own cart. My husband eats terrible and I know I will never change that, so I buy it for him while the kids and I eat differently.

I worked as a grocery clerk in college and would be amazed and admittedly did judge at that time, very overweight people that bought crap food. Or the main one was lots of alcoholic beverages at 8:00 AM, when they would open and drink before leaving the store with it.

skinnywithin

I have a son who loves to throw stuff in the cart when Im not looking so as I am putting in on the bel there may be KY or other crazy things that I have to ask the cashier to put back...YEA GOTTA LOVE TEENAGERS !

amymeenieminymo

No, I could care less what other people are buying and its ridiculous to judge people based on their carts because you have no idea if they are shopping for a special occasion or if they shop like that all the time. Even if they do shop like that all the time, still, why judge? We all didn't get here, overweight by eating strictly veggies. Just because we have taken steps to improve ourselves does not mean we are better than people who haven't. Besides, weightloss will be a lifetime struggle for me, I lost a bunch of weight and I swore I would never gain it back but I did, so here I am starting over. I have weak moments, days, weeks, and months, so I don't think I have any room to judge others who have weak times.

Devolucien

I actually don't purchase anything unhealthy at the grocery store and shop mostly at farmer's markets. The fact of it is that it is my worst nightmare that people actually do this stuff.. I don't judge others buy what's in their cart. Part of the reason I shop so healthfully is so that people won't judge me because I am big.

My issue with it is where do you draw the line. Vegans think meat is bad, paleos think veganism is bad, low carbers think carbs are bad. It got to a point with me where I'd buy salad and vinegar and grapefruits and spinach....THAT IS IT. That is all I was eating for 3 months before I went into the hospital. I also gained 25 lbs during that time period despite doing P90x and running.

My point this whole time is just that people should stop judging others in this forum on this site. You don't know that other person's situation. You haven't 'walked in their shoes' so to speak. Until you have, then judging people is just wrong on every level. This should be a place where everyone can feel safe and supported during their weightloss/fitness endeavors.

robinregina

I'm guilty. I do it all the time. It makes me proud when I see charts with all sorts of junk in them and I have tasty but good for you foods in mine. O.k., sometimes I get a little jealous, but then I think about my success and get over it real fast.

bm99

I actually don't purchase anything unhealthy at the grocery store and shop mostly at farmer's markets. The fact of it is that it is my worst nightmare that people actually do this stuff.. I don't judge others buy what's in their cart. Part of the reason I shop so healthfully is so that people won't judge me because I am big.

My issue with it is where do you draw the line. Vegans think meat is bad, paleos think veganism is bad, low carbers think carbs are bad. It got to a point with me where I'd buy salad and vinegar and grapefruits and spinach....THAT IS IT. That is all I was eating for 3 months before I went into the hospital. I also gained 25 lbs during that time period despite doing P90x and running.

My point this whole time is just that people should stop judging others in this forum on this site. You don't know that other person's situation. You haven't 'walked in their shoes' so to speak. Until you have, then judging people is just wrong on every level. This should be a place where everyone can feel safe and supported during their weightloss/fitness endeavors.

If that's all you ate because you were afraid of what strangers in the grocery store would think of you, then I assure you the problem is NOT with those strangers.

Edit to add: Every second that you are in the presence of another human being, they are gathering information about you and putting together an opinion of you. Silently "judging" (good or bad) every thing you say or do, how you look, what you're wearing, what you drive, how polite your kids are etc. That's life.

BAMFMeredith

I don't do it intentionally, but I do. I kinda feel like an a-hole when I judge people with carts filled with junk food.

I honestly get sad though when I see carts full of junk food being pushed by an overweight mother with her also overweight children in tow. I know it's none of my business and has nothing to do with my life, but it still makes me sad for the kids.

And sometimes it can be hilarious to see what other people buy. This young couple (I'd guess late teens) was behind me at the grocery store the other night and their items on the conveyor belt included a large bottle of Big Red, some condoms, KY warming lube, and a douche. I had to stifle my laughter in a serious way.

gastankerdriver

i tend to look at the register to see how much they are spending.

aftergypsies

Only when they have a lot of interesting stuff and you can't avoid it. Like yesterday this man and woman had about 40 pounds of various meats and other stuff. My guess was they were having a huge BBQ or party. Their total was like $500!! That's gonna be one hell of a party. But usually if it's not like that I don't notice other people's carts.

kaetmarie

I actually don't purchase anything unhealthy at the grocery store and shop mostly at farmer's markets. The fact of it is that it is my worst nightmare that people actually do this stuff.. I don't judge others buy what's in their cart. Part of the reason I shop so healthfully is so that people won't judge me because I am big.

My issue with it is where do you draw the line. Vegans think meat is bad, paleos think veganism is bad, low carbers think carbs are bad. It got to a point with me where I'd buy salad and vinegar and grapefruits and spinach....THAT IS IT. That is all I was eating for 3 months before I went into the hospital. I also gained 25 lbs during that time period despite doing P90x and running.

My point this whole time is just that people should stop judging others in this forum on this site. You don't know that other person's situation. You haven't 'walked in their shoes' so to speak. Until you have, then judging people is just wrong on every level. This should be a place where everyone can feel safe and supported during their weightloss/fitness endeavors.

I'm really sorry this is such a struggle for you, but honestly, if it's that hard for you to see these kinds of posts -- you should really avoid them, for your own health.

People at the grocery store, malls, online -- everywhere -- people judge. If that is going to negatively impact YOU and your progress and your battle with ED, that's something YOU need to address. The world is not going to change to accomodate your issues, just like it does not change to accomodate mine. If I were you, I would seek help to address some of these issues -- because the world isn't going to change, if you want to get better, YOU need to change.


ETA: Best of luck to you.

yoovie

I actually don't purchase anything unhealthy at the grocery store and shop mostly at farmer's markets. The fact of it is that it is my worst nightmare that people actually do this stuff.. I don't judge others buy what's in their cart. Part of the reason I shop so healthfully is so that people won't judge me because I am big.

My issue with it is where do you draw the line. Vegans think meat is bad, paleos think veganism is bad, low carbers think carbs are bad. It got to a point with me where I'd buy salad and vinegar and grapefruits and spinach....THAT IS IT. That is all I was eating for 3 months before I went into the hospital. I also gained 25 lbs during that time period despite doing P90x and running.

My point this whole time is just that people should stop judging others in this forum on this site. You don't know that other person's situation. You haven't 'walked in their shoes' so to speak. Until you have, then judging people is just wrong on every level. This should be a place where everyone can feel safe and supported during their weightloss/fitness endeavors.

If that's all you ate because you were afraid of what strangers in the grocery store would think of you, then I assure you the problem is NOT with those strangers.

Everything you are saying here is how you choose to react, not what anyone makes you do. A snap 'oh, that's interesting' observation is not an act of evil or a black mark on one's character. To judge is human because its how we ingest a situation and decide if its us or not. Knowing what you like and dont like and would do and wouldnt do and used to do and still do... is part of knowing who we are.

If you can be so wrapped up in what other people think of you that it dictates your actions, you simply cannot put that pressure on us.

I refuse to be bullied into catering to all of the disabilities on earth. Instead I choose to live my life with vigor and healthful amazing adventures and NOT be burdened by what is not holding me back. Just as I wouldnt stop running, just because some people cant. And I wont stop drinking just because some people cant handle it. If its your issue, then its your issue, but I wont be bullied.

tuffytuffy1

I absolutely LOVE the title of this thread, it made me LOL because I totally do it What bums me out is I come in to read the comments and I see somehow a playful topic like this has turned into an ED topic:huh: That keeps happening lately -- sigh.

jlbay

Only if I hear the melodious sound of many bottles of wine or booze clink-clinking in the cart. I love carts full of wine - makes me happy.

Otherwise, I hate grocery stores so much - I'm just trying to get the hell out as fast as I can. Grocery stores give me evil road rage.

yoovie

.

KittieLea

All the time!

tlamarch

hmmm, I never knew people where peeking in my cart , I feel so Vulnerable lol, but for real I didnt know people checked out my cart

jaxandmaksmom

I actually don't purchase anything unhealthy at the grocery store and shop mostly at farmer's markets. The fact of it is that it is my worst nightmare that people actually do this stuff.. I don't judge others buy what's in their cart. Part of the reason I shop so healthfully is so that people won't judge me because I am big.

My issue with it is where do you draw the line. Vegans think meat is bad, paleos think veganism is bad, low carbers think carbs are bad. It got to a point with me where I'd buy salad and vinegar and grapefruits and spinach....THAT IS IT. That is all I was eating for 3 months before I went into the hospital. I also gained 25 lbs during that time period despite doing P90x and running.

My point this whole time is just that people should stop judging others in this forum on this site. You don't know that other person's situation. You haven't 'walked in their shoes' so to speak. Until you have, then judging people is just wrong on every level. This should be a place where everyone can feel safe and supported during their weightloss/fitness endeavors.

your life must be very tense being so concerned what strangers think... wow... you know if you stop caring what others think.. and what you think about yourself.. you would be alot happier...



on other note.. I ALWAYS DO THIS... the man in front of me last night has a serious orange soda and chip addiction... then i looked down at my cart.. hmmmmm fruit veggies greek yogurt and meat.... .. hey wait a minute where did that bag of candies and chips come from.... damm kids... lol well they can have that as there treat for the week.


also to those who are giving crap about parents with pizza pops and easy kid food and saying it isnt cheaper... you are soooooooooo wrong.. i before my health change would have that garbage in my house.. and i could "afford" it.. and they would not go bad ( hmmm yummmy chemicals and proceed food.... stay ok to eat for years) .. when you are doing veggies and fruit you have to eat them before they turn.... so sometimes you do end up throwing out more food..... which i hate to do... but it is true...

CharleneExtreme

I'm sorry but if someone looks in my cart and judges me, i won't hesitate to punch them in the ****ing face!!! I get that I'm fat, i don't need others judgement to remind me. **** off and die!!

lporter229

I think it's human nature for people to pass judgement on others based on appearance, and when you are in the grocery store, your cart is part of your appearance.

I volunteer at a choice food pantry (choice means that the clients make selections for themselves from different categories of food). We actually attend classes that teach us not to be judgemental toward the clients. I have learned a lot from this. People stick with what they know. I think we tend to assume that everyone has had the same exposure as we have, when in reality, many people just don't know any different. I could not believe how many people turned down the option of fresh vegetables. FREE, fresh vegetables. The most common excuse is "I don't like them" or "I don't know what to do with them". We try to take the time to offer suggestions on how they can easily prepare things, or explain how to use things. Once we had bags of fresh blueberries. Almost nobody wanted them. I told people " Just take them and try them, otherwise we will throw them away. Put them in your cereal or in pancakes". I actually had several people come the next month and tell me how much they enjoyed the blueberries and thanks for convincing them to try them.

I still find myself peaking in the carts of others at the grocery store. And I hate when I see obese families with obese kids and carts full of crappy frozen and boxed food. But now I try to remind myself that I don't know their story and I try not to judge.

Pooker89

I don't normally check out other peoples carts, but sometimes you JUST can't help it. I saw these 2 MORBIDLY obese ladies ( one was a mom and the other was her daughter, mom was just a tad bit bigger, girl couldn't have been more then 16.) getting into line in front of me and they had 2 carts...TWO... full of those little pizza rolls literally the carts were over flowing with bright yellow boxes. It looked like they were buying out the whole store on just those... I thought that hey maybe they had a coupon and they were one of those extreme coupon-ing people...but no... I was wrong... they had to pay...in full.... it made me seriously look at my basket. I felt so awkward I left the line and went and walked around one more time just so I wouldn't have to be behind them.. I felt so horrible.

aldousmom

I do - it's an entertaining game when I waiting in a queue. I try to guess if they are buying for a family or if they are a single person or a gourmet eater or a convenience food junkie.... and then I look in mine to see what people might be thinking about me too!

yes, this.

justal313

This is someone with an eating disorder's worst nightmare. The people on this post that are making judgemental comments about what are in other people's carts, are what cause a lot of ED patients to have panic attacks....

This makes me sick... seriously.

Im very sorry that I have to change who I am, be someone else, live my life differently, stop being proud of my change from one kind of cart to another kind of cart, stop noticing the differences in groceries, stop paying attention to any relation between the energy of the person in front of me and the fact that their cart is 90% full of junk, stop feeling sad for those people, stop hoping someday their wakeup day will happen, hopefully soon, doing my best to make sure that if anyone looks in MY cart, and looks at ME - they will be inspired by the price tag and the beautiful foods and cease and desist all observations of the world around me

... all so no around me accidentally develops an eating disorder.

That is NOT fair.

Every individual is responsible for their own perception of the world. Not that its their fault... but it IS their responsibiliy as an adult.

I dont have an eating disorder.
I dont run around judging fat people's carts.
I dont say anything cruel or give them stink eyes.

I fill my cart up with healthy food and then I see someone else around me and am reminded of what I was like 90 pounds ago- not that my cart was full of junk food, but it was full of foods that werent giing me the rigt nutrition.

Im gonna get a lot of crap for this, so Im going to say and just take the heat. I dont care. People who suffer from eating disorders get very wrapped up inside their own heads, about how everything relates to them, people looking at them, judging them, looking at themselves, judging themselves....(whether thats the real sufferers of ED or just the ones that like to get attention for it on the interwebs- im not sure- I could be wrong here) but they need to realise that all these people in the grocery store, could care less about them, their carts, what they eat or if their thighs touch. Everyone has their own life going on and no one is preoccupied with that one person who may possibly be in the store with an eating disorder starting to develop. We're just not that into it. We arent thinking about YOU. (general ED you, not youyou.

I wasn't attacking you personally... I have a full blown eating disorder that I nearly died from and when I read this post, I actually got sick....this is a real valid thing... it happens to a lot more people than you're probably aware.

You have no idea what it is like to have ED and to read things like this and it just reaffirms everything counseling told you wasn't true. It is a LIFE THREATENING disease and the mental disorder with the highest death rate.

Stop being so damn selfish and grow the hell up. Stop judging others. Yes, change yourself to be a better person.

A better person is not defined by what foods they eat but by how they treat others regardless of circumstance or situation.

In this respect, I believe that one day you will realize the error of your ways and become a better person spiritually not just physically.

You're an adult, if you know it will affect you this way, don't read the thread. It isn't anyone elses job to keep you feeling great, that is your responsibility alone. You are on a diet site, for God's sake, you MUST realize you are going to be seeing a lot of things that might upset you. Grow up.

Yeah, nobody here is the Robot Chicken, strapped to a chair with their eyelids held open by machines so you have to read. If a thread is threatening to trigger bad behaviour, the back button or the X button is right at the top of your screen, just click, it's easy... Click clickedy click click

anastasia8382

yeah kinda do this.. it is crazy. i mainly look when people have like 2 shopping carts or more.

CharleneExtreme

But now I try to remind myself that I don't know their story and I try not to judge.

Exactly, they could be on a diet that these things fit into - it may be working for them, it coould be for someone else and they could have recovered from an eating disorder. And this has been said before (and i know im gonna be *****ed at) but people being judgemental *kitten* can be a trigger for recovered ED sufferers!