Things are changing fast
In our new normal, nothing is, well, normal. That goes for reopened restaurants, hotels, salons, and—yep—retail stores. No one knows when things will return to post-pandemic normalcy so before you step foot in a store to buy that birthday present or get a few new things for your fall wardrobe, make sure you’re not making one of these all-too-common COVID-related mistakes.
“The pandemic has caused a dramatic change in social etiquette, practically overnight,” Maryanne Parker, an international business, social, and youth etiquette expert and founder of Manor of Manners. “This is not new—social events have been changing etiquette rules for centuries—but the amount of changes and the speed in which it’s happened is different.”
Common etiquette mistakes people are making in stores
One place where things are markedly different is in stores. “Limited store hours, having to wait in line to enter, only a certain number of people being allowed in, having to bring disinfectant wipes, and wearing a mask; the shopping experience has changed significantly,” says Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, a civility and etiquette expert and author.
It can be hard to know what to expect these days so we asked our etiquette experts to give us the down-low on common COVID-19 mistakes they see in stores and what the new rules are so you can feel prepared the next time you head out.
Talking about your shopping trip
In a strangely dystopian twist, talking about going shopping may be the biggest faux pas of going shopping at all. “It may be a mistake to tell anyone you’ve been to a department store,” Randall says. “With strong differences of opinion about what is and is not ‘essential’ shopping, I advise people to just keep that information to themselves.” And it goes without saying that you probably shouldn’t post about it on social media either if you don’t feel like getting into an argument.
Handing your items to the cashier
It’s important to minimize contact with the cashier, as they have to serve many customers a day which puts them at a higher risk of infection. “When checking out, mention right away to the checkout person that you will hold the items up so the tags can be easily scanned,” says Rachel R. Wagner, a licensed corporate etiquette and international protocol consultant. “Then either ask for them to give you a bag or bring your own bag so you can fold and bag your own items. This way they don’t have to touch your things at all, which is best for both of you.
Fighting the return policy
Even stores with traditionally generous return policies are making changes about what they can take back and how. This has led some customers to react with anger and frustration when they can’t get their money back or it takes longer than they thought, Randall says. “Ask about their current return policy before you buy anything and don’t argue with the associate about it, they don’t make the rules,” she says.
Picking up everything to look at it
It’s hard to shop without touching things but try to avoid it as much as possible, Parker says. “Touching everything around you was considered bad etiquette even before the pandemic, but now it is seen as inconsiderate, negligent, and even jeopardizing people’s health,” she says. Only pick up what you really want to buy and keep handling it to a minimum. And know that wearing gloves doesn’t change this rule, you can still spread germs while wearing them.
Sampling something you’d like to try before you buy
Testing out lipsticks, lotions, spice mixes, jellies, and other products before purchasing was already kind of gross but it was acceptable. Now, COVID-19 has made sampling downright dangerous, Parker says. “If a store is offering samples, don’t take it,” she says. “And if they’re not offering samples, don’t ask for one.”
