Handling comments at the grocery store

[Green Life]

This is kinds funny, LOL

Today I was in line waiting to be checked out with 7 watermelon in my basket, along with other foods for my cooked food eating family.
The checker asked my why 7 watermelon????:eek: As though I were some strange creature she had never seen before. I told her because I like watermelon, ALOT!! She said, "you eat all seven of these yourself within a week?" I said yes, usually I will share with the children if they want , but I eat them for the most part. She asked "why?" I said because I am a raw foodist and she said, "well, I've never heard of such a thing before! Isn't that a fattening way to eat??"

THEN>>if that's not funny enough, the lady behind me chimed in..."in ONE ounce of raw pecans, there are hundreds and hundreds of calories!" She said it in a condescending way, and then shook her head with a snarl... I literally (and this is VERY hard for me to do) just totally ignored the lady behind me..


What in the world???:eek: :eek:

[RawCutter]

its actually 193 cals in one ounce of pecans

[Riiiya]

hahah.. i haven't heard such comments Yet, but people really like to give food advice (especially those who actually don't eat healthy!)

it's funny when an obviously overweight person tells me i shouldn't eat what i eat.. Well, i know one person who does that- it's like they are afraid i'll lose more weight and will look really good!! .. oh well, people will always criticize healthy/raw eating it seems.. because somewhere deep inside they Know they should do it too but can't get away from SAD :eek:
..just contemplating here ;)

[Green Life]

LOL!

Ha Ha! I should've told her that "I don't really care about how many calories are in pecans, or any raw food for that matter!", she probably would have looked me up and down and come back with a comment something like, "well, You SHOULD care!!". I mean, give me a break! She was SO annoyed for some reason and I think Riiya is right on with that idea, and I so totally have felt the same thing about this subject when talking with other SAD eaters.

Amazing. Just amazing.

[Revvell]

Ohhh, that is hysterical!!!

From one watermelon eater to another RAWK ON!!!

I AM wondering what she meant by eating them in a week. How about 3-4 days? :D

When I was testing watermelon last week, a gentleman came out of the checkout line and asked me how I knew they were good because he'd been eying them and didn't know how to choose. I chose one and handed it to him. Hope it was good. lol

I think a lot of people would eat more/different fruits/veggies if they knew what they were and that they CAN eat them raw.

[CaliRaw]

Well, honestly. I love watermelon too, but if I'd seen you rolling a cart up to the checkout counter with 7 watermelons in it, I would have looked at you like :eek: too. No judgment, only :eek: . Eat up! :)

[Green Life]

Haa HEE HAHAHAHA!!

Yes, I gues it would look a little funny to people who don't know how delish watermelon can be for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks.. all I can say to them is ,"They don't know what their missing!"

Yes, we watermelon lovers should start a fan club! :)

[ChaiLife]

What an odd comment. I can't imagine looking over someone's groceries and commenting like that. I guess I would be sarcastic and would have told her that I am trying to gain weight (I am about 93 pounds overweight:D ).

Whatever, while miss priss is restricting calories you will be feasting on melon and all the pecans you want. Her loss. And what a lovely attitude she had.

[CaliRaw]

Were they the big oval shaped 20 pound ones?

[greenday]

I don't think people care AT ALL what someone else is doing...they just feel the need to comment because it's different from what they are doing. :p Interestingly, it may make them feel defensive (cause they're questioning their own motives) and what you get is this weird, hostile attitude that seems completely out of place. HAHA, I would #1 ignore...but #2 if the right opportunity was there pick something in their cart and shred on how bad it is. haha. :D Well, that sounds good. In the moment...more likely I would just stay quiet. Not one to stir up conflict. ;)

[Ariannah]

I'm learning to just not declare myself with a label.

The guy at my local fruit stand says, every time I buy grapes from him (which is what I buy most from him), "you sure like your grapes eh?"

Me: "Indeed I do, and my children love them too!"

Stand up, be firm, assertive, unapologetic (without coming across as rude, even if they are, you don't want to sink to their level).

Ariannah J. Armstrong

[Nurse in the Raw]

Daughter - "Mom please don't spend an hour in produce, people are starting to look at us funny"

Mom - "Let them look....my booty is getting smaller"

Daughter - eyes rolling

[ShelShel]

This is so funny to me because the thing I love the most about raw is that I NEVER count calories or consider size or portions of food. I eat until I'm full, knowing if it's raw...it can't hurt me! LOL :p That is an amazing freedom that I can only experience raw.

I think to the average American woman the idea of not counting calories...seems just impossible. {I started at 12!} :eek: But it is possible...and we know it is! What freedom! And that's all that matters.

Eat your 7 watermelon and go back for more!

[JustusGSD]

The checkout guy at the grocery store the other day was complaining (kiddingly) that I was sure giving him a workout because he had to look up and weigh all the produce instead of just scanning stuff. :)
I had to spell jicama for him so he could find it. <g> He thought the dragonfruit was cool though. LOL I was hoping it was good, since I hadn't had one before. (It was very good.)


Sarah

[moonstar]

Don't like it -- don't look...:-) LOL

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Well, I once called a local store because I had just eaten the watermelon they sold me & asked them to please hold the other one until I could get there to buy it. Yes it was THAT good.

I live in a 1 stoplight town & the guys at the local IGA know me & that WATERMELON is my thing!:D

The things we do for a good watermelon.:D

RJL

[Davylp25]

HEHE This reminds me of the time when I went to WHOLE FOODS and I picked up like 14 Young Coconuts, and these 2 YENTAS behind me, were like WHAT ARE THOSE? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THOSE? DO YOU EAT THEM? WHATS INSIDE? MILK, WATER, HUH WHA, HOW DO OPEN THEM?

I told them I was doing a cleanse with the water, and they kept asking questions everytime I tried to scan my card thru the thing, :D the teller was even getting annoyed with them. But the teller understood because she had done the master cleanse so it wasnt some type of ALIEN AGENDA.

Then as I finally got the card through, I heard them whispering, HE'S SO SKINNY, ( I weigh 175) HE DOESNT NEED IT... These women were overweight anyway, so. It was quite funny looking back, but in the moment it was annoying. I can relate. :D

[StarFire]

Daughter - "Mom please don't spend an hour in produce, people are starting to look at us funny"

Mom - "Let them look....my booty is getting smaller"

Daughter - eyes rolling


stacie... I ADORE YOU!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/laugh.gif

[StarFire]

Greenlife - you gave me a good chuckle! RAWK ON! Considering I live on an Island - I guess people are just used to me now... at first tho - ooohhh YEA... I did get the looks ... and an occasional snide remark...

but see - I went from buying beer, wine and Vodka with chips and crap... to all veggies and water!!

that will definitely confuse a crowd! :D

[SmilingRawDancer]

I've only had GOOD experiances in grocery stores!

I've met very nice people who notice what I'm buying and give me good tips on where/when to go to other Farmers markets, whats good, where stuff is cheaper etc.

I always notice that when I spend 15-20 minutes finding good watermelons, there are usually a few very healthy looking asians there with me, spending just as much time digging (and getting a workout) through the big bins.....and we always strike up conversations and smile at each other with understanding when other people walk up and make odd comments.
When I buy tons of bananas at once, the cashier always makes a comment and asks:
"What do you do with all of those?! Do you work in child-care or something?"
Me and my mom - "No, we eat them all...you can freeze them and use for smoothies, you know. It's very convenient."

"I'd never thought of that! I'll have to pick some up!"


There is ALWAYS this one receipt checker at Costco, who ALWAYS remarks:
"Broccoli, spinach, bananas...yum (sarcastically, but not in a rude way)..."
Us - "Yes, we like real food :)"

------- one time, we had a box of hersheys chocolate bars in tow for our SAD kin, and he OF COURSE noticed and said "Whew, finally, chocolate!"
Us - "Yeah, its for our unhealthy relatives...it's pretty sad :("

He gave us a huuuge laugh...we like that guy. We're a good influence on him!

[Coriander74]

When I went back to raw, I REALLY stocked up... the cashier said "Wow, are you having a party or something?" And I said, "Nope, this is all for me!" :rolleyes:

I do big shopping trips for about a two week supply and go in when I run out of something in particular. Causes a lot of people looking at me funny! LOL

[Riiiya]

This is so funny to me because the thing I love the most about raw is that I NEVER count calories or consider size or portions of food. I eat until I'm full, knowing if it's raw...it can't hurt me! LOL :p That is an amazing freedom that I can only experience raw.


ooh it's sooo true, i'm SO happy i don't have to look at food and see a number! the only guilt i get occasionally is if i eat too many nuts... other than that, i do feel FREE!! well, i still try to eat reasonable amounts of food of course :cool:

[RawkStar]

This is funny, because I am usually the one with the superior attitude! :p When my cart is full of fruits and veggies and my 3 year old tells the clerk that "you have to eat broccoli to make you big and strong" I can't help but have a satisfied smile on my face- Especially when the clerks always comment that they wish their kids would eat x vegetables and how healthy everything looks in my cart.

BTW--I probably would have looked at you funny, too, if I saw you w/ 7 watermelons in your cart! But that's because I positively, absolutely, unequivocally hate melons of all types. Every year I try them, and every year I spit them out. Just two weeks ago I bought some watermelon for my yearly taste test. I tried it and almost puked it up in the sink. Melons are so good for you-- it kills me that I hate them!

[barose]

Frankly, I would look at anyone [funny] who had a bunch of bananas. I dont see how people can eat <1 banana per day, but thats just me.

Mostly, I get the people asking about my young coconuts - and not just the ones attached to my body. What they are? How do you do it? What does it taste like? Do I eat regular food? Why? When? How?

They usually ask when I'm in line, and already going through the check out. I'm annoyed and impatient (in the inside) because I'm trying to make sure the check out person is not overcharging me, or that the bagging person is using my bags. I also want to make sure I get the $.05 credit for them as well. Oh man, they do ask at the wrong times.

[Elsaraw]

Last week watermelons were a 1.99 each at a store here locally (big ones!). I dragged my husband there and filled a cart overflowing with 15 melons. Oh, the looks and comments we got! I just cut them off and pointed to my belly and said "I'm pregnant" and everyone of them stopped gawking and exclaiming their surprise! Ok... I took the easy way out though... I would have bought just as many at that price any old time!

[tisha]

Man! I wish I could find watermelon for $1.99. We pay $4-$5 a melon where I live. I still buy them, though. I usually get a good one, but every once in a while I get a clunker.

When I was pg. with my last baby (just turned eight 2 days ago) I craved watermelon. I ate one a day for a while. I could not get enough. :D

[ChaiLife]

Last year I got a 36 pound watermelon for $5. We went camping with it and I was like Snow White: all the deer and squirrels and raccoons were coming out of the woods. They could smell it. That night we left the rinds out (with some melon still left for them) and watched them feast. It was one of those fun trips that you never forget. :)

[Green Life]

Yup.

These things were huge!! Probalby about 25-30 pounds each, LOL!:D
They were only 5.00 dollars each.

I am enjoying reading everyone's stories! thanks:cool: They give me a chuckle.

[exurb]

Green, sorry you had to experience rudeness.


I am enjoying reading everyone's stories! thanks They give me a chuckle.

I have quite a few memories of funny things said to me by grocery checkers.

#1) Checker: "No food today? just the fruits and veggies?"

#2) (I was purchasing apple cider vinegar)

Checker: What do you do with this stuff

Me: Mostly just make salad dressing

Checker: You can MAKE salad dressing?!

#3) (In looking for the code of a strange, unfamiliar exotic fruit I had purchased)

Checker: "What's this"

Me: "Uh, a pear."

She actually didn't know what a pear was.:eek:

[Rawkinlocs]

Wow Green Life! I've never gotten any negative comments from checkers (or customers), usually I'll see customers kinda staring without trying to stare into our cart. The checkers are usually just like, "WOW, what a healthy cart, I wish I could eat like that!" or sometimes we'll get asked if we're having some kind of party (:confused: - I guess they think we're making a fruit tray for horsederves) One time a checker did ask me if I ran a daycare and I told her, "Nope, this is all for my own family".

[Revvell]

... horsederves... I'm sorry Cherie, I'm thinking you didn't mean to spell it this way but I've got tears running down my cheeks laughing so hard picturing horses dervish dancing. :D I never know how to spell that one meself and even Bo calls me "Standing on Dictionary". Oerderves? umm, orderves? Heck, I dunno. I guess I just needed a laugh. Thankiss. :)

[ChaiLife]

ROFLOL!!! I like your spelling.

[Rawkinlocs]

I'm sorry Cherie, I'm thinking you didn't mean to spell it this way but I've got tears running down my cheeks laughing so hard picturing horses dervish dancing. :D I never know how to spell that one meself and even Bo calls me "Standing on Dictionary". Oerderves? umm, orderves? Heck, I dunno. I guess I just needed a laugh. Thankiss. :)

:o Oh my...and since the stupid spell checker didn't correct me with the little red underline, I thought I was spelling it right! Oh well, at least you got a laugh out of it!

Yeah, I meant to say "Hors Doeuvres" , which in my quick Google search, I also see is commonly spelled as "orderves" or "h'orderves" or "Hors d'Oeuvres" (this one is probably the closest to the way I was spelling it!) :rolleyes:

[magglepie]

Oh goodness! I would never be able to spell that word without a little help as well. Tee hee.

[barose]

Thats hilarious people don't think produce is food. Gee, even in my out-n-out SAD days, 1/2 of my cart was still fresh produce.

[Frecs]

umm...I've gotten comments from the checkers at Costco when I roll up with a box of bananas...a bag of grapefruit...a bag of oranges...a bag of ...well to make a long list short..a cart full of PRODUCE. Usually their first question is "do you run a restaurant/store?" Nope. "Oh, you must have a big family." Nope, just my mom and I. "Ohhhh....you must really like fruit." Yep, I sure do. That's where I prefer to leave it, though my mother seems compelled to explain to everyone...:rolleyes:

[Riiiya]

i realized why i almost never get funny comments at grocery stores! i always go to the self-check out! most of the time i'm in a hurry and not in the mood to handle food comments.. LOOKS are enough

[samariah]

hmm, i never seem to get comments. people probably think things though.

[OneBite@aTime]

I've only received positive feedback so far, like "it's so nice to see a mom buying such healthy, beautiful food for her kids"

I also don't say I'm a raw foodist, If someone ask me, and only if someone ask I simply say that I don't eat any processed food. If they are honestly interested, then and only then do I explain.

[Eva]

OneBite@ATime... That seems like a really good, healthy way to handle the situation!

As for the grocery store, I usually don't seem to get comments so often, but I try to go every 2-3 days so it's a cart full of produce but it doesn't stick out so much since it's not overflowing or anything. When I stock up, then it's just a pain for the cashiers who usually can't identify fruit outside of, say, bananas and apples. Actually, they do have do ask me what stuff is pretty frequently no matter how much or little I get. :rolleyes:

[EZ rider]

I also don't say I'm a raw foodist, If someone ask me, and only if someone ask I simply say that I don't eat any processed food. If they are honestly interested, then and only then do I explain.I like that response and I'm going to say that when asked. I find myself answering some type of question like that occasionally I guess because my cart has no processed food in it and lots of stuff from the produce department.

[EZ rider]

cashiers who usually can't identify fruit outside of, say, bananas and apples. Actually, they do have do ask me what stuff is pretty frequently no matter how much or little I get.I was checking out the other day and the young lady rang up the garlics as mushrooms. I mentioned it to her and she said "oh, I thought they were mushrooms, what are they ?" she didn't know what a garlic looked like. I wonder what she eats ? Amazing.

[dread head vegan]

a couple of days ago i baught 10 canalope. the casheir was supprised. she got a big laugh though!!! she said she has never seen anyone buy that many.

my dad baught some broccli ( sorry for the spelling) and the casheir had no clue what it was.. dad was blown away!! he walked out of the store laughing and in shock. she knew what a parsnip was though:D

[Riiiya]

oh my,i read all your stories of cashiers not being to identify rather common vegetables or fruits- this is unbelievable :eek: and sad :(

[GlimR]

I am really glad when people ask me about the fruit and greens in my basket...like an open door to give them a little positive vibe about raw.

I find people notice more when I am in restaurants where I whip out all kinds of fruit, dressing, etc... from my purse. Every saturday DH and I go out to breakfast before going to the natural food store and costco. The only raw food to be had there is a banana and I have to beg for the one they think is rotten so it isn't green!! The other customers KNOW you can't get plums, cherries and melon there...makes me smile to myself knowing I am doing such a great thing for myself.

For me, I just stay very positive and flood them with light where I can~