Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 15:07     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Yes, its only for rich people like you. I prefer Walmart Plus At Home Delivery. About $10 a month, no tipping.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 15:06     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:At least for older millennial and gen X families*

My last few visits to grocery stores it looks like all retirees shopping, plus a handful of singles using the salad and hot bars. The aisles are filled with solo workers collecting orders. It seems like parents my age, whether they're actually wealthy and super busy ( ) or merely want to give that impression, exclusively do home delivery or drive-up pickup. Even the upper middle income SAHMs I know who have plenty of free time during the day do at-home delivery or drive-up pickup for groceries. Is grocery shopping in-person becoming lower class and/or elderly retirees thing?

It's almost like status-conscious people don't want to be seen grocery shopping because of the perception it gives that they're not wealthy or have too much free time. At least that's kind of what it feels like after Covid.


That is the craziest thing I've heard today.

I do curbside because we are two parents, three kids, full time working in person with commutes. I don't want to spend extra time grocery shopping. IDGAF about status.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 15:03     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
This is dumb. I do pickup at Aldi to stay within my very MC grocery budget of $600/month for a family of 4. It's a $2 fee plus price increases that are still lower than buying groceries in store anywhere else. Trust me, I don't think it raises my status, it's just a chore I'm willing to pay an extra $2 for.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:35     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
I do it because 1) I hate grocery shopping, 2) I can get everything on my list, without adding extras, 3) I'm fine with substitutions, 4) I've spent the first 20 years of my marriage doing all of the shopping, 5) it costs nothing extra at Wegmans other than the tip I give when they load it in my trunk.

Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:34     Subject: Re:Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:My mom is nearly 80 and when she comes home from a 2-3 hr trip to Walmart, she needs a nap. I taught her to use their app to shop and she did it once. She prefers to shop in person but she's also retired and can devote her day to it. I do both. I prefer shopping in person at Shop Rite and I'd do anything to avoid shopping in person at Walmart. I can't afford other stores.


Why did it take her 3 hours to shop for groceries? Hell, I'd need a nap after 3 hours in Walmart too, and I'm not anywhere near 80.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:30     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
I shop in person because I hate tech + substitutions and I always get bad fruit when I do delivery options.

I have a flexible schedule and go on weekday mornings when it isn't that busy. I end up waiting longer in the checkout line as they only have 1 or 2 people working it then, but I prefer having clear aisles.

I don't impulse shop nor do I care about social status. I do what works best for my family.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:18     Subject: Re:Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
My mom is nearly 80 and when she comes home from a 2-3 hr trip to Walmart, she needs a nap. I taught her to use their app to shop and she did it once. She prefers to shop in person but she's also retired and can devote her day to it. I do both. I prefer shopping in person at Shop Rite and I'd do anything to avoid shopping in person at Walmart. I can't afford other stores.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:15     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Either DH or I will do a store run once a week for certain produce, eggs or a fill-in order. Otherwise, we do delivery since it saves a lot of time and means less carrying for me (carpal tunnel).
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:10     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:Read the first post. Just here to comment that this is the dumbest thing I have ever read.


Then you must not read much.

I mean, it's dumb. But nowhere near the dumbest thing I've ever read. Not even the dumbest thing I've read today.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:09     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Read the first post. Just here to comment that this is the dumbest thing I have ever read.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:08     Subject: Re:Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who orders groceries for pickup because she said it helps her budget better and reduces her overall grocery bill since there aren't any impulse purchases.


This is why I have things delivered. If I go on my own, it takes twice as long and costs at least 1.5x as much because of impulse buys, distractions, browsing...

If I shop at home, I can see exactly how much it costs. What's harder to estimate is whether or not I'll have enough fridge space!
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 14:01     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:Traffic to and from, parking, if your kids are young it’s annoying bringing them in an out, checkout lines are long, and if you’re shopping for a family, bags and bulk items are heavy. It’s a no-brainer to tip $20 and have it delivered to your doorstep. Better things to do with my day.

This is a good point. Shopping with kids is the worst.

I personally like a leisurely trip the grocery store - when I'm not busy, when the store isn't busy. I love going down almost all the aisles, seeing what's on sale (the flyer only covers so much!), finding inspiration for what to cook. I think I've only ordered groceries twice (during covid), and having to approve the substitutions or figure out alternatives was just annoying. But we are only 2 now, so different situation.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 13:54     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Traffic to and from, parking, if your kids are young it’s annoying bringing them in an out, checkout lines are long, and if you’re shopping for a family, bags and bulk items are heavy. It’s a no-brainer to tip $20 and have it delivered to your doorstep. Better things to do with my day.
Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 13:53     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is status related at all. Maybe time related. Of course it makes sense that retirees with no job can go to the market and shop for hours every day. Busy parents doing grocery pickup or delivery just makes sense for how busy they are.


It's just an interesting observation is all. A broader theme of UMC becoming more and more secluded, seemingly outsourcing everything to a servant class. We don't go into coffee shops, we order from an app and don't have to speak to baristas. We don't go into grocery stores, worker bees deliver it to our door step. We take an uber and request the driver not talk.


Any actual data on this?



You don't see the Starbucks pick-up area full of mobile orders? You don't see luxury SUVs in the Whole Foods and Target pick-up spots? If you live in an UMC neighborhood, you don't see your neighbors getting groceries delivered, plus landscapers, house cleaners, nannies, and/or dog walkers? Uber eats and Door dash delivering restaurant to-go? It's certainly a theme.


So, no. No actual data.

Anonymous
Post 11/05/2024 13:52     Subject: Going into the grocery store to shop becoming a class signal?
I may do it because I can afford it but I am certainly not doing it to “appear” anything. I don’t wonder that people think of me based on my shopping habits. That’s your insecurity talking. If you really think people put any thought into this you are the one with the problem, OP.