A grocery store is also called a supermarket or a greengrocer. Chain grocery stores are referred to by name. Learn the names of these stores before you travel to a new country. Superstores or department stores often have full grocery sections inside.
Shop Smart精明购物
Grocery stores are set up for you to buy more than you need. Fresh foods and staples are usually placed in the outside aisles or at the far end of a grocery store.
At the front you will find convenience foods and sale items. At the checkout you will find things you probably dont need, such as chocolate bars and magazines. The store is counting on you to throw a few of these items into your cart or basket. This is called impulse shopping. Can you resist the temptation?
Gathering and packing 采集和包装
Most grocery stores offer a variety of options for gathering and packing items. Dont be surprised if you have to buy your bags.
shopping cart: pushcart on wheels
basket: plastic container with handles; useful for quick grocery trips when you only need a few items
box: sometimes available for free at the checkout
plastic or paper bags: you may have to pay for these
reusable bags: bring your own
Main Aisles and Sections主要通道和分区
Here are the main aisles in a grocery store as well as some example items you will find in them.
produce农商品: fresh fruit and vegetables
frozen food冷冻食品: juice, pizzas, fruit and vegetables
bulk food散装食品: peanuts, candy, flour, snacks
baking烘焙品: pre-packaged goods such as flour, sugar, salt, and chocolate chips.
breads面包: packaged breads, bagels, hamburger and hot dog buns
meat and seafood肉和海鲜: packaged beef, chicken, fish
deli熟食: freshly sliced meats and cheeses
bakery面包店: fresh breads, muffins, cakes to order
dairy乳制品: milk, eggs, dairy, yogurt
pasta and rice米面: spaghetti, penne, wild rice, whole wheat pasta
ethnic foods民族食品: foods from countries in other parts of the world
canned foods: beans, pasta sauce, canned fruit and vegetables
condiments调味品: ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressings, oil
snacks零食: chips, packaged candy, cookies, crackers
cereal谷物食品: boxed breakfast cereals and bars, oats, granola.
beverages饮料: juice, pop, coffee, tea,
household items家居用品: toilet paper, tissue paper, garbage bags, detergent, diapers
health and beauty and or pharmacy美容健康医药类: make up, deodorant, feminine products, medicine
Checkout 结账
Read the signs above you before you get into a line.
express checkout: For people buying a few items. The sign will show how many items you are allowed to have .
automatic checkout: You swipe and bag your own groceries and pay with a credit or debit card.
closed: Many stores use a lighting system to show which line ups are open for service. If the light is on the aisle is likely open.
Questions to ask in a Grocery Store超市里你或许会问的问题
You dont always need to ask someone who works in the store. The shopper next to you may be able to tell you where to find the sugar.
Can you tell me where the produce section is?
Can you do a price check for me?
Do you have prepackaged candy?
Do you have more flour in the back?
Is this on sale?
Do you sell stamps, lottery tickets, alcohol?
Discounts
Do you have a discount card? Many clerks will ask this. Membership cards at grocery stores are usually free. They provide you with a discount on many items. Are you going to use this store a few times? Fill out a form and get a card! It will be worth your time. If you dont have a card, dont be fooled by the prices on food. Many foods are advertised at membership prices. Without a card youll pay a higher price. Brand-name items are typically more expensive than no-name or store-named items.
Common Courtesy基本礼仪
If the person behind you only has one or two items, you can invite the shopper to go in front of you. Say, You can go ahead of me. Youre just buying a few things. If there is a divider on the conveyor belt at the checkout, place it after your items. This will allow the person behind you to start placing his or her groceries down too.