Listen Up: Here’s the *Only* Correct Way To Take Food Samples at Costco
One of the most exciting moments during a grocery store outing is when you see a tray of food being set up at the end of your aisle—a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. But when it comes to approaching this angelic tray, you have to remember *the unspoken rules.* Need a refresher? We've got all the important details on how to take a food sample at Costco without being annoying—courtesy of passionate Reddit users.
Nothing lights a fire under Redditors like the topic of free food samples—at least based on recent research (read: a pair of threads with nearly 1K comments combined).
It all started with a massive vent late last week.
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"Why do people fight to get a sample at Costco?" began u/InevitableTeaching35 in the Costco subreddit. "I’ve seen people literally stepping over each other to get a morsel of free food....This will always be my biggest pet peeve. It also seems people forget how to wait in line, and all other social norms go flying out the window for the chance of a free sample."
One commenter didn't pull any punches.
"People will do stupid stuff when something is free," the person said.
The next day, another Redditor shared that the best way to navigate Costco's food samples is to skip them altogether.
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"Hot take: I have zero interest in samples," wrote u/Kmathieu2220. "Not sure if others feel the same - but if samples disappeared altogether, I wouldn’t mind at all. I might actually like the store experience better."
While tons of people (in both threads) agreed with this Redditor, others appreciate the opportunity to try before they buy (or snag a free snack).
"I try samples of things I might be interested in buying," wrote one person. "[It] takes away the risk of something I might not like."
Is there a way to snag your Costco samples without ticking off fellow shoppers at the same time? Yes, but there are some key rules, and Redditors didn't mince words when sharing them. Warning: As one poster wrote, "These comments are spicy."
Related: The Best Times to Shop at Costco, According to Fans
How To Take a Food Sample at Costco Without Being Annoying
Rule #1: Don't Block the Aisles
If you only follow one of these rules, let it be this one. Absolutely nothing came up more often in either thread than people blocking the aisles with their carts.
"[People leave] their shopping cart in the middle of the aisle as if there’s no one else shopping," complained one person.
If you break this rule, prepare for some hefty consequences.
"My wife works there, and people [block aisles with their carts all] the time, so she started moving their carts to different departments nearby," divulged a Redditor. "They also go to move the carts, and if someone says it’s theirs, they say it was sitting there unattended, so they are putting it back, and people get the point."
Shoppers don't wield such power. But they may move your cart a few inches.
"I just push the cart out of my way...ain't got time for their grazing," wrote one. "
One person attempts to use their words first.
"I say excuse me politely two times, and then I move their [stuff]," the person said. "While moving it, I narrate what I’m doing and why. People usually move their [stuff] on their own at that point. If not, I do it for them."
This playbook sounds like how I deal with my toddler.
Rule #2: Wait Your Turn
Speaking of young kids, we all learned how to stand in line at some point in early childhood. Remember: It's a lifelong lesson.
"I hate the cutting when there’s an obvious line," wrote one. "Taking samples is fine because people want to try new things before buying. Everyone just needs to learn some etiquette."
Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?
Related: The Most Underrated Menu Item at the Costco Food Court
Rule #3: Listen
This one is a little controversial and can conflict with Rule #4 to keep it moving. But the people at the sample table may have some good intel. It's not a bad idea—and even polite—to take literally 30 seconds to listen to their elevator pitch.
"I know people should move after a sample, but realistically, people should listen at least to what the sample person says," suggested a Redditor.
One Redditor reaped some delicious benefits for slowing their roll and hearing out the staffer.
"A couple of weeks ago, they had the cheese tortellini with the pesto," the person said. "[The person giving the samples] told me how to make it. [I] made it like she said for the family, and it was an unexpected hit. Sometimes, they really do know their stuff."
Rule #4: Keep It Moving
Listening to the person handing out samples is one thing. Lingering and attempting to snag seconds? Cardinal sins.
"Take your sample and move," begged a Redditor.
"My fiancé and I enjoy the samples when we’re looking for some new ideas on what to get," admitted another. "But, oh my gosh, people are so mean. The people running the sample carts are usually so nice, but the Costco customers are...fighting each other battle-royale style for little morsels of food. My fiancé and I are strong believers of the 'You get your sample, and then you move out of the way' mentality."
Rule #5: Be Kind (Or Just Use Common Sense?)
It's easy to get excited by the sight of free food. Just take a beat before deciding whether to approach (and how), and we'll all float on (or roll our Costco carts along) OK.
"I will enjoy store-oeuvres if they are easy to get to, but I'm not going to step over people or stop my cart in the middle of the lane while waiting five minutes for the next batch to be put out," said a Redditor. "I'm on a mission to get my stuff and go when I'm at any grocery store."
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