That one gets me, too.

Other grocery store pet peeves, in no particular order:

1. People who block aisles with their carts while they study the labels on food products.

2. Those horrible "racing car" carts for kids -- many of their mothers seem to push these things with the same disregard as how they drive: chatting on their cellphone, cutting people off, holding up traffic, etc.

3. And while we're on the subject, "mini" carts (training carts?) pushed by children -- I've had it with having these things run into my knees.

4. People who abuse express lines by having too many items, or paying by check or credit card when it's cash-only.

5. Checkers who let people like this abuse express lines, instead of sending them to the proper line.

6. Stores that aren't absolutely religious about removing expired items from the shelves. I always check, but I should be able to rely on a grocery store to offer only wholesome, fresh products.

7. Checkers who ask, "Credit or debit," when I give them my Amex Platinum card. I've always wondered what would happen if I said, "Debit."

8. Checkers who get into protracted conversations with customers. Pleasant chat while ringing up purchases and collecting payment is fine. Don't make me wait, however, while you inquire into little Ginny's ballet recital.

9. Panhandlers who stalk the exits and harass shoppers as they leave (perhaps more of a problem in San Francisco and Santa Monica).

10. Children who stalk the exits collecting money for school projects, selling cookies, or whatever and harass shoppers as they enter or leave.

11. People who write checks for small purchases (and why is it almost always women who do this?).

12. People who say, "Wait, I think I have a penny," and then spend several minutes rummaging through their purse to find it (again, why is it always women who do this?).

13. Shoppers who let their kids graze the produce, resulting in grubby little hands touching the fruit as they shove it into their mouths. If you must steal food to pacify your kids, at least pull off a couple of grapes yourself and hand it to your kids. The produce section isn't a buffet at the day care center.

Hmmmm. No wonder I don't like grocery shopping.