Hey, grocery store cashier here.

I feel I can speak for a lot of essential employees when I say work has been overwhelming, stressful and draining as of late.

Although sympathy is appreciated, there are some things you can do on your next visit to make these times easier https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Downwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Downwards arrow">

1. PLEASE, throw away your gloves, masks, napkins/wipes away in the trash.

When gathering carts, employees have to clean them out, further exposing us to whatever you touched and coughed/sneezed out.

(Yes we use gloves. Is it still unsanitary? Yes.)

2. Shop alone or with as little company as needed.

A lot of stores now have capacity limits to prevent store crowding and abide by 6ft recommendations.

Small amounts of people mean we can move lines faster and keep aisles and lanes from getting crowded.

3. Buy in normal quantities.

Yes, buy enough so you don’t have to make frequent trips. But please be mindful of other customers and employees who need food as well.

This helps keep shelves stocked with some items as stores wait on shipments to replenish.

4. If you are physically able to help pack, please do.

I’ve had orders with massive amounts of items and just get bags tossed at me while they stand and stare.

Helping gets you out the store quickly and keeps us from burning out from the inflated amounts of customers.