shopping
My better half intensely dislikes selecting the front most item from shelves in supermarkets. Maybe she thinks that other shoppers have touched and tainted it in some way.

Little does she know, that before calling her attention to a potential purchase, I routinely swap the front product with the one behind it. Muhahahahah!
(Simian Typewriter Supplies Pty. Ltd. is house hunting in the neighborhood of infinity, Thu 1 Jul 2010, 13:40, 5 replies)

having worked in a supermarket, I always do the same
the oldest stock is regularly put at the fornt to get rid of it first, so always pick from the back to get a longer shelf life
( Victor Meldrew, Thu 1 Jul 2010, 13:46, closed)

!
My other half does EXACTLY the same. If I even try and take the front one I get 'the stare'... Drives my crazy!
(Senora Veranos cannot and will not so ner..., Thu 1 Jul 2010, 13:46, closed)

There is a (sort-of) actual reason behind that one. When shop assistants refill the shelves the newer items they are putting on are placed at the back (if they are doing their job properly of course!). it's called stock rotation it's so they sell all the short coded items quicker and not have as much waste.

so all your doing is making sure your missus buys food that will go off quicker.

Obviously it makes more sense for fresh products. I don't think the extra 2 months on a tin of beans will be affected that much.
(thisisme, Thu 1 Jul 2010, 13:47, closed)

I do this with anything sprayable (deoderant, polish, air freshener etc)
(Miquaight Pew pew laser bears, Thu 1 Jul 2010, 16:50, closed)

Touching and tainting the front one is too obvious, I do the second third and fourth ones then select the one at the back especially for myself.
(Benzyl, Sat 3 Jul 2010, 20:15, closed)