to have slammed down my potatoes because of this rude man?

[PanickyPixie]

Loading groceries onto the conveyer belt in Tesco just now and a man comes up behind me breathing down my neck, throws down a divider and starts putting all the stuff from his basket on the belt. I then pushed the divider back and passive aggressively loaded my groceries on taking up as much space as possible, slamming my potatoes down and making him jump. He then folded his arms and leant on the belt whilst giving me a long hard stare.

Yes, he could probably see that my small trolleyful would not fill up the belt but isn't it good manners to wait for the person in front to unload first?

totally sympathise op. Hate people who creep up your back and it's not going to get them thru the cash any faster- . I think they actualy want you to move out of the way and let them go ahead of you. Let your potatoes do the talking!

Who knew there would be such strong opinions on checkout etiquette? Where do you stand on people standing too close to the chip-n-pin pad thus invading you personal space?

Doh! Your personal space, obviously.

I'd never start unloading til the person in front was done! YANBU.

I usually put a divider down and start unloading if the person in front is slow and doesn't have much. Why would I wait? I'm not stopping them!

"However, I love the noble potato and would never intentionally harm one."
I agree with you about harming potatoes - they really do bruise so easily, there's never a good reason* to slam them - but I believe the correct description is "the humble, but stalwart, potato" rather than noble.

I tend to nose my cart up to the end of the conveyor/counter, to block people, and then stand in front of it to load. Moving the cart when it's empty. That does the trick.

*This doesn't apply to flinging, chucking, or mechanically propelling, potatoes or pumpkins. Which is harmless fun and quite different.

I have never ever had someone put th divider don and start loading before I've finished. I would think it incredibly rude! And I'm a supermarket whore so shop in all of them, including Aldi and Lidl. It's not as if they will get through any quicker.

Horrible lunatics out there in the supermarkets of... where? 'Til I stay far away from it.

I hate supermarket shopping enough without people invading your space. Yes pushing up to put their stuff on the belt and not giving you space to pay. Makes me wild when all I want to do is finish my shopping and leave.

I like waitrose because I can get a cuppa on my way out to drink when I get home.

Although mostly only go when have vouchers and went Friday but forgot the voucher at the last min. Took lots of deep breaths to calm down, but all the other shoppers were lovely, as was check out man so left only feeling mildly irritated.

The breathing down my neck would annoy me.

This thread has made me laugh so much. I only clicked in it because of the odd title. I do love MN.

Who knew there would be such strong opinions on checkout etiquette? 1way - are you new to Mumsnet?

re people who close in when you are at the pin pad, i ask the cashier to tell them to move away . Also watch for the creepers who have a phone in their hand when you are putting in your pin, as they can pick up the info from your card if they have that app.

kungfu I'm going to use "slam my spuds" as a euphemism in future too!

Yes, I like that version better.

I was so angry. I properly slammed my spuds over it.

I thought of spud cunt too!

"she slammed down her potatoes" is going to be my new go to phrase for "threw a passive aggressive hissy fit over inappropriate checkout ettiquette"

I didn't know that you could bruise a potato. I always chuck them under the more delicate items. I will give my potatoes the respect and delicate treatment they deserve from now on.

I'm mostly here to give an old username some fresh air (loved that thread).

BUT, as I am here now OP you may have my wondrous wisdom.

The correct etiquette in your situation is to initially point out to the gentleman that you're not yet done unloading, and may yet require more conveyor belt space. This must be done with one of those tight, slightly simpering smiles that manages to fully convey "I do so hate to be so unBritish as to even bother you with words, but if you do not modify your behaviour instantly I will slit your fucking throat. You cunt".

The fellow in question now has two courses of action available to him. The first, and most advisable, being a jolly "oops! So sorry! Just not with it today!" Which results in a relieved titter and no hard feelings from all parties.

The second course of action is any response that gives a portrayal of a man who does not care that you may still yet require more conveyor belt space. The arrogant 'So What' style reply, in all its many forms. I'm loathe to say it, but you are now faced with Genuine Rudeness.

The slamming of potatoes is finally acceptable at this juncture. Your error was to slam them onto a harmless and useful conveyor belt. For proper effectiveness potatoes should always be slammed into the throat of the offender. They simply do not learn otherwise.

Most happy to help,

SpudCunt

YABU, what did potatoes ever do to you? Poor things.