17 Weird Things All British People Do In Supermarkets

"Unexpected item in bagging area" are the five most haunting words in existence.

1. Taste all the grapes to find the sweetest batch.

CBS

I think it’s safe to say that tasting grapes in the middle of the supermarket is something we’re all guilty of — and by tasting I mean shoving a dozen grapes in your mouth before anyone notices. Remember when we used to eat pick ‘n’ mix in Woolworths? Look at us now. 

2. And separate banana bunches to get the best ones.

TruTV

One thing about us Brits, we take our fruit very seriously. 

3. Chat to every supermarket worker you come across like you’re old friends.

Lifetime

“Hey, you alright?”, “Yeah, you alright?”, “Yeah, how’re the kids?”, “They’re good, say hi to the family for me”, “Will do”. 

4. And have full blown catch-ups with acquaintances you randomly bump into.

Hulu

For some reason, the supermarket aisles feel like the perfect place to have a chinwag or a good old gossip. 

5. Make a detailed shopping list beforehand...

Target

6. ...Only to end up wandering around the store filling your basket with the most random items.

Tesco

You leave the house for bread, milk, and cereal and somehow end up with a trolley full of things you definitely don’t need. It happens to the best of us. 

7. Have a browse through the newspapers, magazines, and books on display.

Nickelodeon

Having a quick skim through the mags and finding out what’s going to happen on Eastenders that week is one sure-fire way to spice up your shopping experience. 

8. Constantly forget what aisle everything is in.

Apple Music

Even though you go to the same shops every week… 

9. Ask staff to "look in the back" for an item even though they’ve just said they’re completely out of stock.

Dead Gentlemen Productions

And being genuinely surprised when they return empty handed.

10. Try to haggle at the fish and meat counters.

PBS SoCal

While haggling is usually reserved for markets, that definitely doesn't stop British shoppers from trying their luck at the fish and meat counters. Now I don’t know the science behind it but I’m convinced that discounts actually make the food taste better. Tell me I’m wrong… 

11. Have a cheeky nibble on your groceries while you shop.

CBS

Shopping can be exhausting and sometimes you need a little pick-me-up. Other times you just can’t wait to get out of the shop before you break into the Jammy Dodgers… 

12. Ride on the trolleys.

Jon Hicks / Getty Images

Shopping can be a little tedious at times, so you have to be creative with how you can elevate your experience – and sometimes that means riding on trolleys.   

13. Head to the shops near closing time to get discounted food.

Bravo TV

Because who doesn’t love a bargain!

14. And fight other shoppers for the best offers.

ABC Network

It really is every man for himself once the prices start dropping. 

15. Leave the queue to grab another item and sprint back to your spot.

Network 10 Australia

There’s nothing worse than finally getting to the front of the queue and realising you forgot to get something off of your shopping list. So leaving your basket to keep your place and running around the store like a headless chicken to find that one item is the only logical solution! 

16. Try to get rid of annoying change when you pay.

Raven Banner Entertainment

Which means emptying your whole purse at the checkout and paying with as many pennies as possible. 

17. And get unnecessarily angry at the self-checkout.

Citytv

I think I can speak for everyone when I say that "unexpected item in bagging area" are the most infuriating five words in existence.