Found a weird trick for handling loud grocery stores after 30 years

I used to dread the fluorescent lights and beeping scanners at the Kroger near my place in Austin. Tried noise canceling headphones but they made me jump when people tapped my shoulder. Eventually figured out if I go at 7 AM on a Sunday and wear a ball cap to block the overhead lights, I can actually finish my list without shutting down. Anyone else find a setup that works for their local store?

2 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

2 Comments

alices163mo ago

Have you tried going at different times of the day? I live near a busy H-E-B in San Antonio and 7 AM on a Sunday sounds perfect - I might steal that idea. But honestly, the ball cap trick makes sense too. I notice the lights bother me less when I'm wearing a regular old baseball hat. And I actually prefer the morning crowd because people are still half asleep and don't chat your ear off, so I can just focus and get out fast.

0

hannaht293mo ago

You know what's interesting, @alices16, I've noticed something about the early morning shopping that nobody brings up. The store smells different at 7 AM right after they've sprayed down the produce. It's like the whole place is just waking up and everything is clean. I actually find it calming in a weird way, almost like a quiet morning ritual. The ball cap idea is solid too, I wear one of those old trucker hats with the mesh back and it really does cut down on the harsh overhead lights.

6