I find it interesting to see what people are buying when in line at the grocery store. I think that you can tell a lot about a person by the things that they pull out of their cart.
For example, a head of me was a woman who had her cart overflowing with food. She had meticulously stacked every item in her cart like it was one big jigsaw puzzle. You could tell that she loved order and organization. She had her book of coupons and for each item that was on sale, she bought multiple items. She had a budget and she stuck to it because she paid in cash.
I could tell that she was a mom by the cereals and the packages of cookies that she had and her love of a good deal came through out and clear since both items were on sale. She was the kind of mom that I happen to admire. Someone who is organized and uses coupons and I bet if I asked her, she probably has her meals planned for a month.
She appeared to be a supermom. I bet she never let her kids watch too much TV or had to have a glass or two of wine after a long day of listening to her kids whine. If it wasn’t for the fact that she was in sweat shorts and a tee shirt and a little overweight, I would have hated her but she seemed like my kind of people. Or at least someone that I would like to get to know.
Just by watching her interact with the cashier and by examining the contents of her grocery cart, I felt like I knew her. I felt like she and I would be friends if we were to converse.
So this got me wondering, what did the items I put in my cart say about me?
4 gallons of milk
6 bottles of wine.
a bunch of bananas
lubricant
bread
melons
Cosmopolitan Magazine
Ice cream
Possibly it says not so successful porn star with a food fetish who is about to have a really wild night?
Well, that is not me at all so I put back the lube and the Cosmo.
Now I am thinking it says frazzled mom of four who possibly likes her wine a little too much and really tries to feed her kids healthy and won’t share ice cream.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
What does your grocery cart say about you?
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
lmao! the 6 bottles of wine, bananas and lube had me cracking up!! All you needed to make that all better was a lil Redi Whip!
Barbara Manatee´s last blog ..Intelligence and Number Sense
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debi9kids Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
OMGOSH Barb! You just made me choke on my coffee
debi9kids´s last blog ..A Day with the DIVAS
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my grocery cart says “holy moly! you must have a HUUUUGE family!” and I do. = )
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LOL I never thought about that, that’s funny!!!
Megan´s last blog ..GTKY Sunday-
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CONFESSION TIME: My cart says “This woman either cannot or does not cook” because about 80% of my cart is processed food. I suck at cooking. And when I do cook, it’s usually only semi-handmade (like Sandra Lee).
I know, I know, packaged foods are so bad for people. Filled with chemicals. blah blabity blah. Pass the hamburger helper.
Texan Mama´s last blog ..Weekly Winners- July 4-10
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You shop like me. Only I don’t like wine. Weird, I know. I drown my sorrows in copious amounts of chocolate and diet coke.
Too bad you put the Cosmo back. I subscribe and there’s an entire article on what one can do with a man’s balls. I threw up in my mouth a little as I read it. I don’t believe those things are meant to be messed with. Sorry Cosmo.
Amber´s last blog ..Like A Melted Reeses Peanut Butter Cup
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debi9kids Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
LMAO! or, maybe it was a good thing she put the Cosmo back.
debi9kids´s last blog ..A Day with the DIVAS
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Jen Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
I am starting to think that maybe I should have kept the Cosmo.
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I literally laughed out loud as I read your cart contents!
Mine also says I have a huge family, especially when I’m pushing one cart and pulling on another one =)
Charlene@Adventures-In-Mommy-Land´s last blog ..Water Fun
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I always think it gets worse the fewer items you’re getting. Like at the Express Lane in the supermarket – 3 Items Or Less. Going through with only a cauliflower, a dishcloth and a box of condoms seems to require an explanation.
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Jen Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Well, yes it does require an explanation. Are you willing to explain?
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LOL-mine just says I am insane to cook as much as I do. Actually most of the time it is now my older boys doing the shopping. Wonder what people think of their carts. lol
susie @newdaynewlesson´s last blog ..Even If You’re A Pacifist- Remember You Owe Your Right To Be One To Those Who Served In Your Country’s Military
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If only I could get the wine at my grocery store! But, no, we make a separate trip to what we call the “wine market” and load up a grocery cart there….and there, people don’t raise their eyebrows if the cart is overflowing! They nod, smile and their eyes say, “You’re going to have a great party!” Little do they know, it’s for my everyday, mom survival stash!
LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Trip to American Girl Doll Cafe NYC
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Awww. You put back my two favorite items!
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Mine is a combination of both carts. I use the coupons so I can afford to buy the wine:-) Hee, hee, hee.
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haha – I’m the one with the organized cart!! But I never pay in cash!
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Too funny! I never really thought about this until the checker at Trader Joe’s said to be a few months back, “you really like to cook don’t you?” I found his comment odd but replied, “yes”. He said he could tell by the contents of my cart, mostly fresh fruits and vegetables and ingredients to make meals not packaged or frozen foods. He even said, “you can tell a lot about a person from the contents of their cart.”
Michelle´s last blog ..Kids and Technology
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Yesterday mine said “my partner is bitchy & complained about my spending habits so i bought overpriced organic everything”. I am so annoying sometimes.
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I look at people’s grocery carts ALL the time and I’m always worried that someone is judging my purchases, and I was totally right. LOL I do organize my cart, but it is only because I worked in a grocery store in high school and I know that if I put my things on the belt in a certain order, then I’m more likely to get them bagged up properly (the way I want). I think sometimes my cart makes me look bipolar, like when I have the pile of lean cusines right next to the cookies and chips. Other times, like yesterday, I’m alright. Yesterday was mostly fruits and veggies and staples.
Jennifer´s last blog ..What was he thinking
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hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! That’s great. My cart doesn’t say too much, because I find myself in the grocery store about 5 times a week for various things. However, I do wonder what people think when all that’s in my cart are (3) 4 packs of slim jims.
Susan @ Sassafrassery´s last blog ..You
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I totally snoop at other peoples carts. Mine says: Your trying to be healthy, but really you are junk food person at heart. Yeah I buy fruit and veggies, but there is also cookies, doughnuts, cake mixes, and such. Diet coke to balance it all out. But I also have three kids one of which is approaching year 13 and believe me she packs it in! And she weighs all of 90 pounds! My son is 4 and eats like a linebacker. He is off the charts for his height and a tad below the average for weight. Tall and lean! So my cart is always overflowing.
Lourie´s last blog ..Fat Enough
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LOL. I always check out the carts around me to see what kind of people I’m shopping with.
My cart yesterday probably screamed ” Just too darn hot to cook, so I’m having a party” since it had pool supplies , appetizers & beer. (gotta love a store that sells everything)
debi9kids´s last blog ..A Day with the DIVAS
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Oh I wonder and worry about this all of the time as I am a couponer and a stocker so I know my purchases must look weird. My last purchase I think was 30 packages of cheese, 6 bags of chips, 4 kinds of ice-cream, 10 bottles of apple juice and some bananas. The cashier even asked what I was doing with so much cheese. It was on sale for 1.50 and good through November, the way I, I mean my kids eat cheese 30 probably isn’t enough.
Emmy´s last blog ..Little Feet
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Yes! I love checking out what other people have in their carts!
I am certain, based on the items in my cart, I look like a giant weirdo. Last time I went to Whole Foods (just to stock up on favorites), my cart contained: 10 bottles of italian soda (for my husband), copious amounts of no-salt canned beans (super sale), 3 boxes of cookies, and five huge jicamas (every one in the store). I slunk through the store, trying to make a quick exit. The cashier said loudly, “oh no! Not the jicama!” Weird.
Mrs.Mayhem´s last blog ..How to Survive Spending Time with People You Detest
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SO funny! I always analyze the other people at the check out. Right now I always feel like I look like a health food NUT because I am buying so much fresh fruits and vegetables (making my own baby food and my six month old seems to be eating more than I could ever imagine!).
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Jen Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Making your own baby food is awesome! I made it for my triplets and wish that I would have started with Hayden too.
Good luck.
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So that was you behind me in line. LOL I am “that mom” cart(s) organized and all couponed out. I plan my meals for 2 weeks at a time and pay in cash. For the record I am in no way a supermom. Just super broke.
Kristin´s last blog ..Dribble
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My cart?
It would say I’m buying food for a single meal and clearly need to get my act together, and do something crazy like planning out even two days worth of eating so I don’t waste my life away at grocery stores.
Also, my cart is really a basket.
I’ll refrain from the obvious basket case joke here.
Though after mentioning it, I’m worried that itself counts.
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Hey! You have a whole new blog-house here! I like it!
My grocery cart says that everyone in my house eats like a picky 5 year old. It is embarrassing….
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I love this post. I always look at other’s carts and see stuff that I want. If I am at Trader Joe’s since it is small, I usually have time to dart back and get it. My cart usually contains A LOT of the following:
wine
milk
cheese
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation´s last blog ..Mommy-Time Mondays 2
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I am one of those moms who will steal a glance at someone’s shopping cart particularly if the person is of interest… If I looked at yours, I would feel we’ve been friends for a long time… the wine would do it for me!
Natacha´s last blog ..Friday Fun in the Sun
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Jen Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I am glad to hear that because a lot of times I get eye rolls and scowls from all the wine that I get.
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Oh this is too funny. I actually enjoy standing in line at the grocery store. That is, as long as there’s no idiot arguing with the cashier and taking his time with his coupons and paying four different ways while my children tear into the food we’ve yet to purchase and climb ON TOP of the car part of the car cart. I digress. I always examine their food and make these decisions about them. Then I do the SAME THING and examine my own food and kind of go, hmmmm. Lucky for me they don’t sell wine in the grocery store here in CT. So I suppose I’m lookin’ better than ya! Next time grab an extra 6 bottles for me, please.
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Jen Reply:
July 13th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
I am SO glad to know that I am not alone on this one.
And you got it, next time I am at the store 6 bottles for me and 6 bottles for you.
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You’ve got me checking out my trolley here. Thanks for the laugh.
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The “lube” part of your list has me all curious. Squeaky door, right?
Ok, my cart would probably scream “HOARDER!!”
And would probably be the 4th of July decor I bought on clearance and plan to “store” until next year, 8 boxes of pasta I bought cuz they were on sale (although we eat pasta like, once a month. If anything the boxes will make good marackas for the kids), and the 4 packs of pork chops I bought on TPR (Temporary Price Reduction, a.k.a eat-asap-or-die-meat) even though we have 47 packs of pork chops already in the freeze.
“Pork, it’s what’s for dinner” (for the next 10 years)
franticmommy´s last blog ..Wardrobe Malfunction
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I generally make a couple of stops at the grocery store per week, since three different ones are on the way home. Because of this, and because there are only three of us, I don’t usually get a whole lot at one time. I also tend to be coming from work (which means looking raggedy and sweaty), or, if it’s my day off, I just look raggedy. So people probably think I’m raggedy and don’t make well-balanced meals!
There is an old Ellen joke about this. She said the woman in front of her had baked beans, douche, and a lawn chair. Figure that out.
Naturally Single Mom´s last blog ..Dating Confessions- Part Two
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Love this post … and my cart says “indulgent mom who is trying to eat healthier but will probably illicitly gobble the treats she gets for her child becuase it isn’t fair for a 5-year-old to have no treats just because mommy and daddy have a little weight problem and no willpower.”
Jenners´s last blog ..The Soundtrack of My Life
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Mine says we like produce. And cheese. And perhaps wine as well. Oh and maybe dark chocolate…. What? It was 2 for 1! he he.
Your cart is totally awesome. I would love to be behind you in line!!
Elaine´s last blog ..Tweet Week
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My grocery cart pretty much says…”what in the BLEEP could have happened to that loaf of bread” seriously…will I ever get it right?!? Like the blog! (found it courtesy of -I’m living proof that God has a sense of humor-)
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Once again awesome post! I admit I secretly look at what is in other people’s carts and always feel like I will be judged for what is in my cart. I am not sure what my cart says about me I usually have 3 gallons of milk, fruits, veggies, Doritos {for my hubby}, meat, wine, etc. Now I am curious??
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First time I’ve checked out your blog thanks to Life Without Pink. Yes, I do this ALL the time. I always notice the sad, single guys with a case of cheap beer and a stack of frozen entries. Or the well dressed man who’s buying a bouquet of flowers. Clearly, he’s dating. Not married. And then I judge. I buy healthy this and healthy that (with copious amounts of wine mixed in). Then I see the skinniest moms loaded up on Cheetos, Apple Jacks, donuts, Eggos. What am I doing wrong?
Fadra´s last blog ..Just 5 things…Relaxing
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I wish my grocery store sold wine. Sigh.
Carabee´s last blog ..Lost and Found
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