I’ve always believed that grocery shopping is more than a quick errand—it’s a snapshot of who we are and what we value.
If you’ve ever found yourself drifting down the aisle for “just one more look” at the cereal selection or choosing paper over plastic out of habit, you might be revealing some classic baby boomer tendencies.
After spending decades in a high school English classroom, counseling teens, and now settling into my sixties, I’ve noticed a few distinct behaviors at the grocery store that make me smile and say, “Yep, that’s a boomer move!” Curious if you recognize yourself or a loved one in the following list?
Let’s take a walk through the grocery aisles together and see how many of these behaviors you can relate to. Who knows, you might even pick up a tip or two for your next shopping trip.
1. Clipping (and actually using) paper coupons
It wasn’t too long ago that coupon-clipping was as common as watching the nightly news at 6 p.m.
For many of us boomers, that habit never went away. Even though digital apps have taken over, we still find comfort in sitting down at the kitchen table with a pair of scissors and the store flyer.
I remember back in my teaching days, I’d prep my lesson plans on Sundays and then flip through the coupon inserts for deals on laundry detergent, cereal, and cleaning supplies.
It was part budgeting, part ritual—like a weekly treasure hunt.
These days, younger shoppers might opt for smartphone apps, but I love the tactile feel of those paper coupons.
There’s a certain satisfaction in handing the cashier a stack of them and seeing the total drop.
Does it take an extra five minutes? Sure. But there’s something nostalgic—and thrifty—about it that never gets old.
2. Meticulously reading every food label
If you spot a shopper leaning in close to decipher the fine print on a can of soup, chances are they’re a baby boomer. I definitely do this now more than ever.
After raising two sons and now keeping an eye on my grandchildren’s well-being, I’ve learned the importance of nutrition labels.
If you grew up in the fifties or sixties, you might remember a time when “low-fat” or “organic” weren’t exactly everyday buzzwords.
Now, we scrutinize salt content, trans fats, and added sugars like it’s second nature.
Bestselling author and researcher Brené Brown often speaks about how awareness is the first step toward positive change.
I like to think that by reading the labels, we’re staying aware of what we feed our bodies.
It’s our way of prioritizing health—proving that as we age, success isn’t just about a big bank account but about feeling good enough to chase our grandkids around the backyard.
3. Paying by check or exact change
I can still remember the first time I saw someone wave their phone at the cashier to pay for groceries.
It felt downright futuristic! Meanwhile, I (and many folks in my generation) still occasionally whip out a checkbook or carefully count out exact change.
Why do we do this? Blame it on habit, but also on a sense of reliability—when you’ve balanced your checkbook for decades, tapping your phone or swiping a card can feel like a slippery slope.
Don’t get me wrong, I carry a debit card, and I use it often, especially when I’m in a hurry.
But there’s a small part of me that appreciates the slower, deliberate act of paying with a check. It keeps me present, ensures I’m mindful of my spending, and, quite honestly, it’s a little nostalgic.
It might not be as quick as tapping a phone, but it’s a classic boomer move that says, “I know exactly where my money is going.”
4. Engaging the cashier in a friendly chat
Has anyone ever told you that you’re a “talker” at the checkout? I’ve been there.
You’ll strike up a conversation with the bagger about the weather, compliment the cashier on their nails, and maybe even share a quick story about how the produce section reminds you of the garden you once tended.
It’s not that we’re oversharing; it’s that making genuine connections comes naturally to us.
I mentioned in a previous post on DMNews that staying socially active can keep us young at heart.
Winston Churchill famously said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”
That includes giving a little kindness and conversation to the people around us—yes, even in the checkout line.
5. Stocking up on “just in case” items
Have you ever filled your cart with extra cans of beans, soup, or boxes of pasta—even when you only came in for fresh produce?
My pantry used to look like I was preparing for the next natural disaster! It’s a habit many of us developed from watching our parents, who lived through more frugal times and believed in always being prepared.
That sense of security might mean grabbing a few extras, especially when they’re on sale.
Over the years, I’ve scaled back a bit, especially after retiring. But I still catch myself tossing an extra bag of rice in my cart, thinking, Well, you never know.
6. Bringing (and reusing) your own bags from home
Long before states started banning single-use plastics or charging extra for paper bags, many of us were already reusing bags—or at least stashing them in our pantries.
Admittedly, the motivation might have been different decades ago: maybe you just didn’t want to waste a perfectly good paper sack.
But today, reusing bags has become an environmental statement, and boomers are often leading that charge.
I keep a stash of sturdy totes in my trunk.
Not only do they save a few cents here and there, but they also remind me that small daily habits can add up to a big impact—kind of like teaching one student how to read more confidently can spark a lifelong love of literature.
It’s another way we show that success isn’t purely about accumulation; it’s about caring for the world we’ll hand off to our children and grandchildren.
7. Taking time to inspect every piece of produce
Finally, there’s the hallmark sign of a boomer in the produce aisle: the individual inspection of each apple, tomato, or avocado.
You’ll see us gently squeezing, turning each piece under the fluorescent light, and maybe even smelling it if we’re trying to gauge ripeness.
Patience in the produce section is something I’ve mastered over decades of meal planning for my family. Even in retirement, I find joy in picking out the perfect peach or melon.
Sure, younger generations might toss items in their cart with a quick glance, but for us, grocery shopping can be a bit of a ceremony—another moment in life where we slow down and make intentional choices.
As psychologist Abraham Maslow suggested with his hierarchy of needs, once the basics are covered, we naturally seek out higher quality in everything else.
For me, that includes making sure my bananas aren’t bruised!
Wrapping it up
It’s funny how these small grocery store habits can say so much about who we are and the generation we come from.
If you find yourself clipping those coupons, chatting up the cashier, or triple-checking the produce, don’t be embarrassed—it’s a reflection of the values and experiences that shaped you.
These everyday moments remind us that success and well-being aren’t just found in grand achievements, but also in how we approach the simplest tasks.
So, how many of these behaviors do you see in yourself—or in the people around you? Share your thoughts with me.
I’d love to hear your grocery store stories and the little habits that make us all unique. After all, life’s small rituals can bring us closer together, one aisle at a time.
