I would like to know the proper way of going through the casher at supermarkets. Do I need to wait until I pay for the items before actually start packing the items in my bag? Since there was a long line, I started packing as the casher checks each item. A women two people behind me said, "you cannot pick it up until you pay" in English. Sounded like my behavior offended her. It is possible that someone can run by packing before paying. But I never thought of that until this woman said this to me. (I have no intention of stealing anything!) What is the etiquette here? Please help.

Don't sweat it - you can easily start packing before you get to pay for the goods, especially if you have a lot. Otherwise everybody would have to wait for ages for you to finish once you have paid.

Just make sure you got your wallet with you..

Just do what is convenient for you. Ignore all the busybodies.

It is completely normal to pack your goods in a Swiss supermarket before paying.

I don't think there's any problem with packing before you pay. It should be encouraged.

As long as you don't make them wait until everything is packed before you pay

Better still, pack them as you take them from the shelf; leave by the entrance, and avoid the waiting at the checkout and paying the cashier stage all together - then you wont be holding anyone up.

I ranted about this some time back.. but anyway No, this is rubbish.

The bastards who insit on waiting till all the items go through before they start packing should be getting a kicking. Worse when you get 2 of them and the cashier has to start stacking your goods on the till.

Then again, if you start packing, chances are, the next person in line takes up position opposite the cashier before you get to pay, blocking you and looking over your shoulder as you type the pin details in.

Idiots.

That is when you just need to turn to that person and say "DILLIGAF".

Bonus points for the ladies trying to keep their purse from sliding down their arm while holding onto their cell phone with one hand and trying to pack their groceries with the other. I have yet to see an example where this form of 'multitasking' is actually efficient and doesn't result in you wobbling about like a wounded penguin (esp when said transgressor actually tries to talk on the phone, adding yet another layer of complexity about the time when one of their children decides it's time to run off or fall out of the cart)

Ahh, that is a bunch of hooey (to use a completely redneck American phrase)! I am surprised that there is not a sign in place at the checkout indicating that you are supposed to begin the bagging process as soon as the first item comes away from the scanner.

Your best plan is to unload your cart in the manner in which you plan to bag the stuff; i.e. with canned goods, bottles, milk boxes and other hard stuff first, followed by non-food stuff like toothpaste, soap, deodorant, cleaning supplies (in its own bag, since it can be carted off to the bathroom without needing a sort-through once you get home). Follow that with refrigerated stuff, then boxed stuff like cookies/cereal. Next comes your produce/vegetables, then finally your bread/crisps/eggs or any other fragile items. Makes the bagging process easier and keeps your stuff from getting crushed.

One thing that will help you in this process is to make sure you remember your good grocery bags when you go to the store, especially if you are buying a lot of stuff. Bagging everything in those 35 centime paper bags doesn't work so well when you have heavy grocery items.

Don't sweat it if you are not done bagging when it is time to pay; just hand over the cash or insert your card, and continue bagging the stuff while the checker gets your change or your card processes. The people behind you can hardly get angry because you are not done if you have been efficient as possible thus far. The clerk will have no problem with the pause as it is a break for him/her.

I'd really like to know where all these weirdoes hang out. I have so many smart remarks to fire back at them at this stage that I'm disappointed on a daily basis that I don't meet one.

Had the same experience when I'd only been here a few days, the cashier complained because I'd started to pack my few purchases before paying. I felt quite upset but it's never happened since, maybe the guy was having an off day.

I don't think there's a rule.

Personally I don't like to start packing until I've payed because I don't want the next person to move too far forwards. I also like to chat with the cashier if he/she is a chatty type (okay, especially if its a she ...). If me packing after paying is causing congestion that's the supermarket's problem for having a poor or cramped layout. The wooden divider thing is there so that one person can pack while the next is having their stuff scanned. If that's not enough it's not your problem. Just stay cool and don't sweat and take your time packing

When the cashier mutters the total, I usually am packing the last item just scanned, and I manage to do that even including the chat mentioned by amogles. I'm Swiss through and through, I have been frequenting Migros and other stores all over the country for more than 50 years, and I've never had a problem.

I think "DILLIGAF" is a valid suggestion.

You can do as you please. Lots of people start packing before they have paid. No problem at all. I personally hate having to pack before I have paid because it stresses me.

In Swiss supermarkets it's usually not even a problem, if you open a product and start eating/drinking in the store, as long as you are going to pay for it before you leave. I observe this behaviour very often and never have I seen anybody getting in trouble for it.

1) with the Migros "etiquette" facing the scanner...

2) tell person to f**k off*

HTH

*generally translates better than DILLIGAF.

Blimey!!
Do you line all your spoons up in the cutlery draw

Hmm .. seems like this could be a Zürich phenomenon

UHT: next time someone makes a stupid and totally wrong comment like that, ask them to help you pack.

Of course you can bag stuff before you pay.

I must have been through the checkouts of Migros, Coop, Denner, et al 1000s of times in the last 23 years and always bag as they scan and never had any comment like than from anyone.

It does make me wonder if this is the complete story. I mean, why would they speak in English??