Differences

There are several differences in shopping in Martin, from the shopping done in the California. First, we must remember to bring our own bags. The stores do not pack your purchases. Some stores have bags, but they usually charge for them. Most people just bring their own bags. Here you see Gary ready to shop. Jeannine has her backpack also.




When you get to the grocery store, you will find that a Euro is needed to release the basket. At first, we thought “Wow! They’re going to charge us to use their baskets!

Actually, the Euro is just a deposit. For the return of the Euro, you return the basket and use the chain to release the Euro. Low and behold, there are absolutely NO baskets out in the parking lot.



In the produce section, there is a good selection of both fruits and vegetables. The quality is not quite as good as it is in CA, but you can say that about many locations in the U.S. We are just so blessed with fresh, good quality produce in Arroyo Grande. A difference is that you bag your produce, put it on the scales, touch the identification of that item (pictures and words) and the scales gives a tag with the price that is put on the produce bag. It is read by the machine at check-out.



Eggs come in packages of ten, fifteen or a half dozen. Almost all eggs are brown. There is a tremendous selection of different kinds of cheeses, but the chunks that the cheese is sold by are smaller. Soups come in packs of dry soup instead of cans. (I’m thankful for this as I carry the groceries as I walk home.) There are very few items that come in glass or cans.



The Slovaks love their bread. There are so many different kinds to choose from. The majority of the breads are sold by the uncut loaf. Most of their bread is not in a wrapper. The customer uses a plastic glove to make her choice of bread. Then she puts it in a plastic bag.



When you’ve gotten the items on your list, you go to the check-stand. The first thing I noticed at the stand was that all of the checkers were sitting. Actually, they have a choice to stand or to sit, but most of them are sitting. This is in most stores, not just grocery stores.

After the item has been charged, you grab it and put it back in the basket. When you’ve paid, received your change and receipt, you take the basket to a place to put the items in your bags. Then you’re ready to leave, after you return the basket and get back your deposit.



We have been amazed at how many of the people (both men and women) take the babies, toddlers and children out in the square for some fresh air. When they are babies, they ride in a “baby-buggy,” then they graduate to a stroller. Sometimes you see a baby carried, but very few baby-backpacks or front carriers.



When it rains…..


And when it snows…….