9 Rude Things Georgians Do at Costco, and It Needs to Stop
Costco is like the adult version of Disneyland in Georgia—but instead of roller coasters, you’ve got 10-pound cheese wheels and 3-packs of mayonnaise.
It’s fun, it’s overwhelming, and it’s always packed.
But some customers forget they’re not the only ones trying to survive the bulk-buying madness. Between the free samples and the forklift traffic, things can get dicey fast when folks leave their manners at home.
If you’ve ever dodged a flying Costco cart or gotten elbowed for a chicken bake, you know exactly what we mean.
In our opinion, these are the rudest traits that some Costco shoppers show up with.
Parking Your Cart Like You Own the Place
Have you ever tried to head down Costco’s cereal aisle and hit a wall of carts like you’re in rush hour?
Some folks park their carts sideways, diagonally, or just straight-up block the entire aisle like they’re setting up camp.
Even worse? When people just abandon their carts to “run back real quick” and grab something. You’ll see a cart full of muffins, bananas, and a giant bag of trail mix just chilling alone by the rotisserie chickens while its owner is halfway across the store looking at outdoor furniture.
If you wouldn’t double park your car in the middle of traffic, don’t do it with your cart.
Pull to the side, keep it moving, and don’t leave it to go too far.
Treating the Sample Station Like a Buffet
Let’s talk about the samples. We all love ’em. You go in for socks and batteries, and suddenly you’re munching on teriyaki meatballs and sipping protein shakes like it’s your second lunch.
But some Costco members take it way too far. You know the ones—those who grab four mini cups of spinach dip and stuff them in their purse “for later.”
You’ll also see the “sample circlers”—people who walk by, grab one, pretend to keep shopping, then come back five minutes later. The poor sample person just stands there like, “Ma’am, I know it’s you.”
One sample per customer, people. That’s the unwritten rule.
If you like the sample that much, toss a package of it into your cart.
Ditching Cold Stuff Wherever They Feel Like
Here’s one that drives Costco employees nuts—people who grab frozen shrimp or yogurt, then change their minds and drop it off by the socks or throw it on top of the books.
By the time an employee finds it, it’s often gone bad. Nobody wants seafood that’s been sitting by the flannel pajamas for 45 minutes.
Not only is it gross, but it’s also a total waste. Cold food that’s not found in a cold place often gets tossed because it’s no longer safe to eat.
If you change your mind about something cold, don’t just set it on a shelf. Hand it to an employee or take the 45-second walk back to the freezer.
You won’t melt, but your shrimp definitely will if you don’t do it.
Arguing About Membership Like It’s a Negotiation
You may or may not be surprised by how many people roll up to Costco with someone else’s membership card and then act shocked when they get called out.
Or the folks whose membership expired six months ago and they act like they deserve a shopping pass because they “only need one thing.”
They argue with the front door greeter like it’s a courtroom trial. Meanwhile, there’s a line behind them stretching to the tire center.
Costco’s membership rules aren’t secret. If you don’t have a valid card, just renew it or come back with the person it belongs to.
It’s not the employee’s fault—they’re just following the rules, not trying to ruin your Saturday.
Being Rude to the Employees
Costco workers are superheroes. They’re juggling pallet jacks, answering questions, dodging screaming toddlers, and still managing to be polite.
But some customers treat them like personal servants.
There are also people who snap when something rings up wrong or demand to cut in line because they’re “in a hurry.”
We’re all in a hurry. That doesn’t give anyone the right to act like a jerk.
A little kindness goes a long way. Say hi, say thanks, smile—it makes a difference. These folks are working hard to make sure you get your 40-pack of granola bars without breaking a sweat.
Snacking Before Paying
Some people treat Costco like their pantry. They open a bag of chips, hand their kid a juice box, and snack their way through the store like it’s totally normal.
Even if you plan to pay for it, it’s not a great look. The cashier now has to scan a half-eaten box of crackers, and nobody wants to see your sticky fingers all over the cart.
Plus, what if you forget to pay for the item you ate?
Then it’s shoplifting.
Be patient—just wait until you check out. That $1.50 hot dog combo at the food court will taste even better once you’ve paid for your cart full of goodies.
Letting Your Kids Turn the Store Into a Jungle Gym
Look, kids get bored. We get it. But Costco isn’t Chuck E. Cheese.
Costco isn’t the safest place for young, misbehaving kids, and it makes shopping harder for everyone. Those metal shelves are tall and heavy. A cart can tip. And nobody wants to trip over a child sprinting toward the stuffed animals.
If you bring kids, keep them close.
Bring snacks (the already paid-for ones you have at home), play “I Spy,” whatever it takes.
It helps everyone stay safe and keeps the store from turning into a wild west rodeo.
Hovering or Line-Cutting at the Register
Have you ever felt someone standing way too close behind you in line? Like, close enough to smell the sample sausage they just ate?
That’s the Costco “hoverer.” They don’t say anything, but they’re silently pressuring you to move faster while you’re trying to unload a 30-pound bag of rice.
Then there’s the line-cutters.
These are the folks who pretend not to see the line and just slide in with their cart like they belong there.
Let’s face it—we’re all trying to get out of Costco before we lose the will to cook dinner. Just wait your turn and give people some breathing room.
You’ll get your 40-pack of string cheese soon enough.
Leaving Trash Everywhere
After a Costco trip, you’ll probably see abandoned sample cups, napkins, and torn packaging scattered around like a snack tornado came through.
The store has trash cans all over, especially near the sample stations and food court. It’s not hard to throw stuff away.
Leaving it for someone else to clean up is lazy and gross.
Treat the store like it’s your grandma’s house. Would you leave your used toothpick on her couch?
No? Then don’t do it in the meat section either.
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