I love all the ritualized behaviour, secret meanings and unexpected taboos - standing up when someone of higher status stands, elaborate rules for serving and eating, tapping the table to thank the server, never refuse a toast from a superior, stuff like that.

Whether it’s about meals or anything else, I’d love to hear about any uncommon politeness standard or similar social behaviour that goes on in your location, culture or restaurant!

  • Hjalmar
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    fedilink
    438 months ago

    This is just a small thing and I don’t know if it’s exclusively Swedish (or even done in the entierty of Sweden) but anyways. In the grocery store all customers generally turn all products so that the barcode is facing forward, aka the way that’s the most convenient for the cashier. Partially done to pay respect I guess but also makes the whole thing go faster.

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      158 months ago

      Our cashiers are pretty fast for having to turn the product.
      But If I have seen it correctly, our cashing systems in Germany can scan the EAN from two sides through a mirror.
      Also you can’t compare to a cashier scanning vs packing anyway so making them even more fast would be hell. Also older folks would be thrice as overwhelmed as usual during regular lunch hours… :|

    • Ghostalmedia
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      English
      148 months ago

      Not common here in the US, but I’ve worked in retail, so I do it. I know how annoying / slow it can be.

      Americans often don’t also bag their own to groceries, which also slows the line down. Checkout lines become much shorter if you ready things for scanning and help with bagging.

        • @[email protected]
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          fedilink
          18 months ago

          Because I’m neurotic, I always place items on the belt grouped in the order that I plan to bag them: first comes cold items, then pantry items, then hygiene & cleaning products, and lastly produce.

          I routinely beat the checker :)

    • @[email protected]
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      fedilink
      68 months ago

      Bygg inte varuberg.

      Don’t make mountains with your stuff on the conveyor belt.

      Was written on like all conveyors in sweden.