Sunday, December 17, 2023

Germans And Grocery Shopping

 Years ago, I sat with a couple of Americans who got onto the subject of Germans and the amount of grocery shopping they do.  

The general feeling by the non-German is that Germans seem to grocery-shop at least three times a week.  I didn't really argue over the average. 

It's somewhat true but for varying strategies (at least what they suggest it makes sense).

If you view the traditional small apartment dwelling...there's not a lot of space, and it makes sense to stay compacted.  The same is true for the smaller size refrigerators/freezers that most use.  

Adding to this...Germans will get five or six advertising leaflets each week (different grocery stores), and select five to ten items from each store....at discounted prices. It would therefore make sense to visit several shops each week.

Dedicated toward 'deals'?  I'd call it a passion.  

The urban dweller and use of public transportation?  That falls into this discussion as well.  You wrap up work....catch the bus to the mid-town area....do a 10-minute walk through some grocery to pick up six items, and get back on a bus to your suburb.  

Most will buy drinks (beer, wine, water) from one particular shop.  Bakery goods will only come from one particular bakery.  

Summing it up....it's not an unusual habit.  

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