Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.

This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
air of being less than sparkling clean.

Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
own cloth bag to use next time.

If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
to some other far off place.

What do you think? Be nice. Heh.

nancy

On Jul 10, 8:23�am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. �Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean. �
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. �I don't
> even like to touch them. �I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time. �
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. �I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? �Be nice. �Heh.

I think it depends on what you buy there... I would only buy canned/
bottled products, those I can't readily buy elsewhere... I'd not buy
any fresh foods. I used to shop at an Hispanic market like you
describe. I learned to never buy any dried staples there like sugar,
rice, flour, noodles, cereals, even baked goods... when I got home I
realized that all these products had absorbed the odors of their fresh
fish section and smoked fish/meats, even their bags stunk... I had
brought the redolent aroma of the store home, I had to toss all those
products in the trash.

Maybe next trip you can bring a can of Lysol to spray the baskets,
etc... and wear disposable plastic gloves and a surgeon's mask.

On Jul 10, 8:23 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
> nancy

The Asian market I sometimes frequent is like that, so I bring my own
bags, and don't put anything unwrapped in the basket. I also have
wipes in the car (the joys of older car ownership include dirt hands
when there's work to be done). Mostly I buy produce or condiments.
I'd guess their rice would be fine, since there's such a high
turnover, but I can't find a use for a 25-50 pound bag!

You could contact the board of health and ask if they have recently
checked the place. There's a Japanese-Korean store up the street from
that one. The prices are higher, there's less produce, but they are
cleaner than most major grocery stores (not saying much there!)

And yeah, I spray most of the produce with hudrogen peroxide, then
vinegar, then rinse before using. We've never had a problem with the
tofu from the big tubs.

maxine in ri

Sheldon wrote:
> On Jul 10, 8:23�am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. �Idly curious.
>>
>> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>> air of being less than sparkling clean. �
>>
>> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. �I don't
>> even like to touch them. �I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time. �
>>
>> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
>> English, I'd call and tell them about it. �I'd rather not drive
>> to some other far off place.
>>
>> What do you think? �Be nice. �Heh.
>
> I think it depends on what you buy there... I would only buy canned/
> bottled products, those I can't readily buy elsewhere... I'd not buy
> any fresh foods.

I hear ya. Thing is, I do go there for the gyoza wrappers and
I pick up the napa cabbage for next to nothing, too.

> I used to shop at an Hispanic market like you
> describe. I learned to never buy any dried staples there like sugar,
> rice, flour, noodles, cereals, even baked goods... when I got home I
> realized that all these products had absorbed the odors of their fresh
> fish section and smoked fish/meats, even their bags stunk... I had
> brought the redolent aroma of the store home, I had to toss all those
> products in the trash.

Ugh. I can picture it. So to speak.

> Maybe next trip you can bring a can of Lysol to spray the baskets,
> etc... and wear disposable plastic gloves and a surgeon's mask.

(laugh) Think they'd get the hint? That's funny.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive to some
> other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
> nancy

The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in - but I
get used to it after a few minutes.
It's a big store - with several other locations - they are all the same
- smells funny when you walk in...very weird.

I wouldn't call it a dirty store - it's like a city grocery store.

I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the fish
there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his fish...

-Tracy

maxine in ri wrote:
> On Jul 10, 8:23 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>>
>> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>>
>> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time.

> The Asian market I sometimes frequent is like that, so I bring my own
> bags, and don't put anything unwrapped in the basket.

That's what I'll be doing. I hesitated to buy the unwrapped
scallions. I'm no clean freak, but I just don't get that good
feeling shopping there.

> I also have
> wipes in the car (the joys of older car ownership include dirt hands
> when there's work to be done). Mostly I buy produce or condiments.
> I'd guess their rice would be fine, since there's such a high
> turnover, but I can't find a use for a 25-50 pound bag!

That's too much rice for me, too! Where would I store it.

> You could contact the board of health and ask if they have recently
> checked the place.

I just get a bad feeling about bringing trouble on a place.
I don't want them to get into trouble, I do want them to clean
the baskets. I won't be using them again, so I shouldn't care,
but I'm pretty sure the cleanliness must go deeper.

> There's a Japanese-Korean store up the street from
> that one. The prices are higher, there's less produce, but they are
> cleaner than most major grocery stores (not saying much there!)
>
> And yeah, I spray most of the produce with hudrogen peroxide, then
> vinegar, then rinse before using.

Thanks for making me feel like I'm not alone.

nancy

Tracy wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:

>> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time.

> The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in - but
> I get used to it after a few minutes.

Yeah, I ignore the smell. Though yesterday there was a
putrid odor coming out of the back room/loading dock/whatever
that was pretty bad, as in worse. But, I expect it, I don't want
everyone to think I walk around looking disgusted.

> I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the
> fish there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his
> fish...

I have bought meat there. Not fish, but that's not saying anything,
I hardly ever buy fish.

Thanks.

nancy

Nancy Young said...

> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
> nancy


EWWW!!!

If you must shop there, borrow a clean ACME hand basket (I mindlessly put
the hand basket full of groceries in my trunk several times.), and shop
with that, then checkout items back into the ACME basket (you won't even
need paper or plastic, that's green.) and next time you visit the ACME,
return it.

I think your carry bag is only for filling after checkout, not for
shopping. They might snag you for shoplifting.

Andy

P.S. I told my ACME hand basket borrowing story to my favorite first-name-
basis cashier. She laughed! --A

Nancy Young wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive to some
> other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.


There's a difference between things that are grody and make us think eww
thoughts and things that are truly health hazards and make us literally
sick. Ask yourself which category your Asian market falls in.


For example, you could have a food store with clean shiny floors, no
dust, everything spic and span, and a bunch of employees who don't wash
their hands on exiting the bathroom. On the other hand, you could have
a food store that's dimly lit, dusty, maybe a spill that's not cleaned
up right away, but everything's clean where it counts. They may pay
attention to keeping their refrigeration at the right temperature, to
keeping the sell by/use by dates honest, to washing and sanitizing
things that matter like everything that actually touches food.


I haven't visited your Asian market so I don't know, but I wonder if
it's not more of the former and less of the latter. If that's the case,
take a deep breath and decide you're being too fussy. The department of
health is usually good about noticing the things that matter.


But that doesn't solve the problem. The management should still clean
up the shopping baskets, and they don't understand English. There has
to be a better way to communicate. This is a long shot, but you might
try it.


Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of soapy water, and a spritz
bottle with a water/bleach solution in it. Choose some observable
place, and proceed to clean one basket. Do so quietly and neatly. When
you're done, empty the bucket somewhere that won't disturb anyone, maybe
on the edge of the parking lot. Then use that one basket to do your
shopping with. I'll bet they'll get the idea.


--Lia

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
> nancy

Not seeing the place in person, I can't comment on whether you are
overreacting or not. The regular grocery stores in my area all provide a
container of Clorox Wipes next to the cart pickup area. I don't
generally use them, but pretty much everything I put in my cart is
either already packaged or something with a disposable exterior like
bananas or butternut squash.

Julia Altshuler wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:

>> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time.

> There's a difference between things that are grody and make us think
> eww thoughts and things that are truly health hazards and make us
> literally sick. Ask yourself which category your Asian market falls
> in.

Well, since my food is touching that basket, I think it's not
good. If they don't even care about that, what does it say
about what I don't see?

> Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of soapy water, and a
> spritz bottle with a water/bleach solution in it.

It crossed my mind, perhaps not anything that elaborate,
and then I thought I'll just bring my bags. I do not think
they would notice, there isn't anyone around the door.

nancy

Choose some
> observable place, and proceed to clean one basket. Do so quietly and
> neatly. When you're done, empty the bucket somewhere that won't
> disturb anyone, maybe on the edge of the parking lot. Then use that
> one basket to do your shopping with. I'll bet they'll get the idea.
>
>
> --Lia

Julia Altshuler > wrote in message
news
> Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of
> soapy water, and a spritz bottle with a
> water/bleach solution in it. Choose some
> observable place, and proceed to clean one
> basket. Do so quietly and neatly. When you're done, empty
> the bucket somewhere
> that won't disturb anyone, maybe on the
> edge of the parking lot. Then use that one
> basket to do your shopping with. I'll bet
> they'll get the idea.

You'd look like a loon and confirm every stereotype currently
viewed against the round eyes. They'd then ask you to leave the
premises as they looked around for the cameras that were
obviously being trained on you.

If the handbaskets bother you _that_ much, get a wipe and take
care of it prior -- or better still -- bring in your own cloth
bag.

The Ranger

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> It crossed my mind, perhaps not anything that elaborate,
> and then I thought I'll just bring my bags. I do not think they would
> notice, there isn't anyone around the door.


But my idea was to make sure they notice. If there's no one around at
the door, do it right near a cash register. It would take 5 minutes.
Go in with your supplies; do a quick scrub and spritz job; be obvious
about it. Then do your shopping. In the absence of anyone who speaks
English, they'd sure get the idea that they need to clean better if they
have customers doing it themselves.


--Lia

On Jul 10, 5:23*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. *Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean. *
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. *I don't
> even like to touch them. *I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time. *
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. *I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? *Be nice. *Heh.
>
Sorry to hear it, but do you really think there are no English
speakers there? Assuming there is no alternative market to take your
business to, I'd be inclined to try to find someone at the store to
tell what concerns me. Some manager-type is usually hanging around
the checkout counters. If you start talking to them they'll probably
try to rustle up someone who can understand you. Beyond that, I dunno
which local or state government agency is supposed to set cleanliness
standards for grocery stores. If I wanted them to change their way of
doing business I wouldn't be averse to contacting the authorities if I
knew who they were.

Fortunately, I don't have that problem here. I regularly go to three
asian markets, all of which are at least as clean as the supermarket
chains. -aem

Tracy wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>>
>> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>> air of being less than sparkling clean. Perhaps this impression comes
>> from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time. If I thought anyone there spoke more
>> than two words of
>> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive to
>> some other far off place.
>>
>> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>>
>> nancy
>
> The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in - but I
> get used to it after a few minutes.
> It's a big store - with several other locations - they are all the same
> - smells funny when you walk in...very weird.
>
> I wouldn't call it a dirty store - it's like a city grocery store.
>
> I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the fish
> there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his fish...
>
> -Tracy
Looking at your addy, would that store be near BU?

--
Jean B.

Julia Altshuler wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>>
>> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>> air of being less than sparkling clean. Perhaps this impression comes
>> from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time. If I thought anyone there spoke more
>> than two words of
>> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive to
>> some other far off place.
>>
>> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
>
> There's a difference between things that are grody and make us think eww
> thoughts and things that are truly health hazards and make us literally
> sick. Ask yourself which category your Asian market falls in.
>
>
> For example, you could have a food store with clean shiny floors, no
> dust, everything spic and span, and a bunch of employees who don't wash
> their hands on exiting the bathroom. On the other hand, you could have
> a food store that's dimly lit, dusty, maybe a spill that's not cleaned
> up right away, but everything's clean where it counts. They may pay
> attention to keeping their refrigeration at the right temperature, to
> keeping the sell by/use by dates honest, to washing and sanitizing
> things that matter like everything that actually touches food.
>
My buddy owns a commercial refrigeration company and he gets to see a
lot of back ends and that is quite accurate. He won't eat or allow his
family to eat in most of the big box chain restaurants for that reason.
The front end might be clean but the poorly paid untrained staff are
doing lots of unsanitary and unhealthy stuff.



>
> I haven't visited your Asian market so I don't know, but I wonder if
> it's not more of the former and less of the latter. If that's the case,
> take a deep breath and decide you're being too fussy. The department of
> health is usually good about noticing the things that matter.
>
>
> But that doesn't solve the problem. The management should still clean
> up the shopping baskets, and they don't understand English. There has
> to be a better way to communicate. This is a long shot, but you might
> try it.
>
>
> Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of soapy water, and a spritz
> bottle with a water/bleach solution in it. Choose some observable
> place, and proceed to clean one basket. Do so quietly and neatly. When
> you're done, empty the bucket somewhere that won't disturb anyone, maybe
> on the edge of the parking lot. Then use that one basket to do your
> shopping with. I'll bet they'll get the idea.
>
>
> --Lia
>

Pete C. wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.

> Not seeing the place in person, I can't comment on whether you are
> overreacting or not.

Overreact, I just asked what you all thought of the situation,
I didn't run screaming out of the store.

> The regular grocery stores in my area all
> provide a container of Clorox Wipes next to the cart pickup area. I
> don't generally use them, but pretty much everything I put in my cart
> is either already packaged or something with a disposable exterior
> like bananas or butternut squash.

Wipes would not have helped this situation, we're talking a
container of sudsy/bleachy hot water and some elbow grease.

nancy

Nancy Young > wrote in message
...
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not
> drive to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.

I'd shop elsewhere. We have the luxury of having several Asian
grocery stores near where I live and I will only shop at three
of them for that exact reason; the "air of cleanliness" is just
not there. If I can smell the fish counter right as I walk in,
I turn around and walk back out. If I find floors, baskets, and
counters not up to my standards, I won't assist them staying in
business by giving them my money. There are just TOO many other
choices available to me.

The Ranger

Jean B. wrote:
> Tracy wrote:

>>
>> The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in - but
>> I get used to it after a few minutes.
>> It's a big store - with several other locations - they are all the
>> same - smells funny when you walk in...very weird.
>>
>> I wouldn't call it a dirty store - it's like a city grocery store.
>>
>> I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the
>> fish there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his fish...
>>
>> -Tracy
> Looking at your addy, would that store be near BU?
>

Why, yes it would...

-Tracy

aem wrote:
> On Jul 10, 5:23 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.

>> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
>> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
>> to some other far off place.

> Sorry to hear it, but do you really think there are no English
> speakers there?

No, I really don't. The cashier doesn't appear to speak
English. Forget the guys behind the meat counter, that's
a struggle to make clear what you want. There are a
couple of guys I can hear hanging around the loading dock.
That covers the array of employees in the store at all times
that I've been there.

> standards for grocery stores. If I wanted them to change their way of
> doing business I wouldn't be averse to contacting the authorities if I
> knew who they were.

It's a thought.

> Fortunately, I don't have that problem here. I regularly go to three
> asian markets, all of which are at least as clean as the supermarket
> chains.

I can only think of one other within reasonable driving distance.
Maybe two. They're pretty far and I think one of them is related
to the one I visit.

Anyway, I'll just be bringing my own bag (sorry, Andy, I didn't
reply to you) so my food doesn't have to touch the black gunk.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:

> Pete C. wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>
>>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
>> Not seeing the place in person, I can't comment on whether you are
>> overreacting or not.
>
> Overreact, I just asked what you all thought of the situation,
> I didn't run screaming out of the store.
>
>> The regular grocery stores in my area all
>> provide a container of Clorox Wipes next to the cart pickup area. I
>> don't generally use them, but pretty much everything I put in my cart
>> is either already packaged or something with a disposable exterior
>> like bananas or butternut squash.
>
> Wipes would not have helped this situation, we're talking a
> container of sudsy/bleachy hot water and some elbow grease.

If that's the case I think *I* would run 'screaming out of the store' <cathy
grins at nancy>. However, I have to ask, how does the rest of the place
look, as in shelving, fridges, floors, etc.?
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

ChattyCathy wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:

>> Wipes would not have helped this situation, we're talking a
>> container of sudsy/bleachy hot water and some elbow grease.
>
> If that's the case I think *I* would run 'screaming out of the store'
> <cathy grins at nancy>. However, I have to ask, how does the rest of
> the place look, as in shelving, fridges, floors, etc.?

Since I buy a little produce there, and sometimes meat, I do
notice that it seems pretty clean in those areas. I mean, it
would just be too much if I expected to see bugs or something,
right? They have a large clientele, people come from all over,
it seems. The local restaurant critic loves the place, for what
it's worth.

nancy

On Jul 10, 7:23*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. *Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean. *
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. *I don't
> even like to touch them. *I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time. *
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. *I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? *Be nice. *Heh.
>
> nancy

Surely, someone in the management staff would understand English. I
would ask to speak to that person, and then strongly suggest that the
employees use a power washer to clean the carts and baskets on a
regular basis - alternately, you could ask the local health department
if they would take a look-see and make suggestions to the management.

My favorite local store finally got some new carts, but their plastic
baskets are still gross and disgusting. I usually line a plastic
basket with a plastic bag taken from the end of the cashier's station,
before putting stuff in it. I hate to have my billfold lying in the
grossness.

N.

On Jul 10, 9:02*am, Nancy2 > wrote:
> [snip]
> My favorite local store finally got some new carts, but their plastic
> baskets are still gross and disgusting. *I usually line a plastic
> basket with a plastic bag taken from the end of the cashier's station,
> before putting stuff in it. *I hate to have my billfold lying in the
> grossness.
>
Okay, I'll bite, why would your billfold be lying in the basket? -
aem

On Jul 10, 8:23*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. *Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean. *
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. *I don't
> even like to touch them. *I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time. *
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. *I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? *Be nice. *Heh.
>
> nancy

I'd have to see the place but generally I find that most North
Americans are way too fussy. I grew up on a farm and know how
some of the food is produced.


John Kane Kingston ON Canada

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:19:49 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:

>Nancy Young wrote;
>
>> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>> > Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> >> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> >> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> >> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> >> own cloth bag to use next time.
>>
>> > There's a difference between things that are grody and make us think
>> > eww thoughts and things that are truly health hazards and make us
>> > literally sick. Ask yourself which category your Asian market falls
>> > in.
>>
>> Well, since my food is touching that basket, I think it's not
>> good. If they don't even care about that, what does it say
>> about what I don't see?
>>
>> > Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of soapy water, and a
>> > spritz bottle with a water/bleach solution in it.
>>
>> It crossed my mind, perhaps not anything that elaborate,
>> and then I thought I'll just bring my bags. I do not think
>> they would notice, there isn't anyone around the door.
>
>
>Apropos of this subject, a Whole Foods here on the North Side of Chicawgo
>was closed down by the inspectors just yesterday. Mouse infestation...
>
>Ya never know...

I just heard that on CLTV. 100 droppings and a dead mouse.

Remember when Aldi's headquarters in Batavia was infested about 10
years ago? IIRC they had 7-8 million in food that had to be
destroyed. A quick google didn't turn much up on it.

Lou

Nancy Young wrote;

> Julia Altshuler wrote:
> > Nancy Young wrote:
>
> >> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> >> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> >> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> >> own cloth bag to use next time.
>
> > There's a difference between things that are grody and make us think
> > eww thoughts and things that are truly health hazards and make us
> > literally sick. Ask yourself which category your Asian market falls
> > in.
>
> Well, since my food is touching that basket, I think it's not
> good. If they don't even care about that, what does it say
> about what I don't see?
>
> > Go to the store with brush, a rag, a bucket of soapy water, and a
> > spritz bottle with a water/bleach solution in it.
>
> It crossed my mind, perhaps not anything that elaborate,
> and then I thought I'll just bring my bags. I do not think
> they would notice, there isn't anyone around the door.


Apropos of this subject, a Whole Foods here on the North Side of Chicawgo
was closed down by the inspectors just yesterday. Mouse infestation...

Ya never know...


--
Best
Greg

Nancy Young wrote:

> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
>
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
> to some other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.


Dirty baskets really bug me. I mean how hard is to hose them down with some
sanitiser and water every day or so...???

Some of the dirtiest I've seen are at my local Walgreen's aka "The Soviet
Walgreen's"...

I carry my own sani - wipes with me for just such occasions...

[the grottiest thing to me is touching bus rails, etc. when I ride the bus,
YUCK...!!!]

And like others here have mentioned, everything possible gets cleansed when
I get home. I have a sink of hot water with ammonia to dunk some stuff in,
then rinse off. I also have a spray container of hydrogen peroxide...cans
get sprayed 'n wiped, etc.

I'm not OCD, I just see too many people in this urban environment (Chicago)
that have very poor personal habits. And this is just what I see in public,
G-d knows what peeps do in private...


--
Best
Greg

Gregory Morrow wrote:

> Dirty baskets really bug me. I mean how hard is to hose them down
> with some sanitiser and water every day or so...???

I think on some level I've been noticing them be grimier by
the visit.

> [the grottiest thing to me is touching bus rails, etc. when I ride
> the bus, YUCK...!!!]

Amazing how I can hold myself upright on public transporation
without using my hands. I also push elevator buttons, etc, with
my knuckles.

> And like others here have mentioned, everything possible gets
> cleansed when I get home. I have a sink of hot water with ammonia to
> dunk some stuff in, then rinse off. I also have a spray container of
> hydrogen peroxide...cans get sprayed 'n wiped, etc.

You are much cleaner than I am.

nancy

maxine in ri wrote:
> On Jul 10, 8:23 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>>
>> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>> air of being less than sparkling clean.
>>
>> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>> own cloth bag to use next time.
>>
>> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
>> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
>> to some other far off place.
>>
>> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>>
>> nancy
>
> The Asian market I sometimes frequent is like that, so I bring my own
> bags, and don't put anything unwrapped in the basket. I also have
> wipes in the car (the joys of older car ownership include dirt hands
> when there's work to be done). Mostly I buy produce or condiments.
> I'd guess their rice would be fine, since there's such a high
> turnover, but I can't find a use for a 25-50 pound bag!

I just can't imagine continuing to shop at someplace I found so dirty
that I couldn't even put things in the shopping baskets.

Serene

--
"I think I have an umami receptor that has developed sentience." -- Stef

"Nancy Young" > wrote in
:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
>> Dirty baskets really bug me. I mean how hard is to hose them down
>> with some sanitiser and water every day or so...???
>
> I think on some level I've been noticing them be grimier by
> the visit.
>
>> [the grottiest thing to me is touching bus rails, etc. when I ride
>> the bus, YUCK...!!!]
>
> Amazing how I can hold myself upright on public transporation
> without using my hands. I also push elevator buttons, etc, with
> my knuckles.
>
>> And like others here have mentioned, everything possible gets
>> cleansed when I get home. I have a sink of hot water with ammonia to
>> dunk some stuff in, then rinse off. I also have a spray container of
>> hydrogen peroxide...cans get sprayed 'n wiped, etc.
>
> You are much cleaner than I am.
>
> nancy

Is this a female thing?

My ex wouldn't shop in some stores...said the store smelled or the floor
was dirty. I never even noticed. But her personal cleanliness quota is
suspect as she cleaned the house one room a week and we had 2 kids. And
if there was a possibility of buying meat, she'd send me alone as the
butcher store smelled funny, yeah it did, it smelled of a strong
disinfectant solution.

Handrails on a bus unless coated with blood or snot are just fine...the
buses get hosed out every night.

When required I will sit on a toilet seat.

--

The house of the burning beet-Alan

On Jul 10, 11:46�am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
> ChattyCathy wrote:
> > Nancy Young wrote:
> >> Wipes would not have helped this situation, we're talking a
> >> container of sudsy/bleachy hot water and some elbow grease.
>
> > If that's the case I think *I* would run 'screaming out of the store'
> > <cathy grins at nancy>. However, I have to ask, how does the rest of
> > the place look, as in shelving, fridges, floors, etc.?
>
> Since I buy a little produce there, and sometimes meat, I do
> notice that it seems pretty clean in those areas. �I mean, it
> would just be too much if I expected to see bugs or something,
> right? �They have a large clientele, people come from all over,
> it seems. �The local restaurant critic loves the place, for what
> it's worth.
>
> nancy

Well, considering produce grows in the *dirt* out in a field with the
birds and other critters relieving themselves wherever, I figure most
folks wash veggies as soon as they arrive home anyways... and as to
the dirty baskets most every produce department provides plastic
bags. I'd buy the produce and the products in sealed jars and cans
but I'd not be comfortable buying open prepared foods like from the
deli/butcher departments... and just because a basket looks clean
doesn't mean it's any more germ free than those grundgy ones.

My experience is that ethnic markets are not kept clean by the big US
chain stupidmarket standards.

Nancy Young wrote:
> Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
> This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
> air of being less than sparkling clean.
> Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
> shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
> even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
> own cloth bag to use next time.
> If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
> English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive to some
> other far off place.
>
> What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
> nancy


Maybe you need to get a sturdy wicker market basket lines with a clean
dishtowel to use when you visit that store. However, if the baskets are
that bad, I'd wonder about the general sanitation throughout the store.

FWIW we have a local "H Mart" which encompasses all Asian food cultures
and it's pretty clean compared to other ethnic markets I've seen. The
fish counters always smell fishy, but not bad.

gloria p

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
>
> I don't want
> everyone to think I walk around looking disgusted.

Perhaps that's just your neutral facial expression, sort of like a Daltonic
face always looks sad.

On Thu, 10 Jul 2008 08:23:40 -0400, "Nancy Young" >
wrote:

>Just curious what others would do. Idly curious.
>
>This asian market where I go once in a while, it has this
>air of being less than sparkling clean.
>
>Perhaps this impression comes from the fact that the
>shopping hand baskets are *filthy* dirty grimy. I don't
>even like to touch them. I will not forget to bring my
>own cloth bag to use next time.
>
>If I thought anyone there spoke more than two words of
>English, I'd call and tell them about it. I'd rather not drive
>to some other far off place.
>
>What do you think? Be nice. Heh.
>
>nancy

<shrugs> some groceries are clean and some are not, asian or not.

your pal,
blake
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Nancy Young wrote:

> They have a large clientele, people come from all over,
> it seems. The local restaurant critic loves the place, for what
> it's worth.

Hmmm. Dunno if that's a Good Thing or a Bad Thing. Case in point...
Kapitan's Restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa, which became famous
because Mr. Mandela used to like eating there two or three decades ago.
Most local food critics still rave about it...

Heh. Went there with some friends (after waiting a while to get a booking)
about five years ago. The food was mediocre, the place was not very 'clean'
and service was appalling. (The owner's wife would have made Attila the Hun
look like Santa Claus.) Have never had the desire to return.
--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Egg tastes better when it's not on your face...

hahabogus wrote:

> "Nancy Young" > wrote in
> :
>
> > Gregory Morrow wrote:
> >
> >> Dirty baskets really bug me. I mean how hard is to hose them down
> >> with some sanitiser and water every day or so...???
> >
> > I think on some level I've been noticing them be grimier by
> > the visit.
> >
> >> [the grottiest thing to me is touching bus rails, etc. when I ride
> >> the bus, YUCK...!!!]
> >
> > Amazing how I can hold myself upright on public transporation
> > without using my hands. I also push elevator buttons, etc, with
> > my knuckles.
> >
> >> And like others here have mentioned, everything possible gets
> >> cleansed when I get home. I have a sink of hot water with ammonia to
> >> dunk some stuff in, then rinse off. I also have a spray container of
> >> hydrogen peroxide...cans get sprayed 'n wiped, etc.
> >
> > You are much cleaner than I am.
> >
> > nancy
>
> Is this a female thing?


Nope...


> My ex wouldn't shop in some stores...said the store smelled or the floor
> was dirty. I never even noticed. But her personal cleanliness quota is
> suspect as she cleaned the house one room a week and we had 2 kids. And
> if there was a possibility of buying meat, she'd send me alone as the
> butcher store smelled funny, yeah it did, it smelled of a strong
> disinfectant solution.
>
> Handrails on a bus unless coated with blood or snot are just fine...the
> buses get hosed out every night.


Here in Chicago they are "shooting" to get buses completely cleaned, e.g.
with hose - downs every two weeks...considering the inefficiency of the CTA
that *may* happen about c. 2015.

Otherwise they just sweep out the most egregrious trash every day or so.
The buses here are generally filthy...as are the L cars.



> When required I will sit on a toilet seat.


AAIIEE.........!!!!!!!!!!

--
Best
Greg

Tracy wrote:
> Jean B. wrote:
>> Tracy wrote:
>
>>>
>>> The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in - but
>>> I get used to it after a few minutes.
>>> It's a big store - with several other locations - they are all the
>>> same - smells funny when you walk in...very weird.
>>>
>>> I wouldn't call it a dirty store - it's like a city grocery store.
>>>
>>> I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the
>>> fish there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his fish...
>>>
>>> -Tracy
>> Looking at your addy, would that store be near BU?
>>
>
> Why, yes it would...
>
> -Tracy

Their baskets are pretty grubby.

--
Jean B.

Jean B. wrote:
> Tracy wrote:
>> Jean B. wrote:
>>> Tracy wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>>> The Asian market where I shop has an awful smell when I walk in -
>>>> but I get used to it after a few minutes.
>>>> It's a big store - with several other locations - they are all the
>>>> same - smells funny when you walk in...very weird.
>>>>
>>>> I wouldn't call it a dirty store - it's like a city grocery store.
>>>>
>>>> I avoid the produce for the most part. My husband really likes the
>>>> fish there - he says it's the freshest around. And he knows his fish...
>>>>
>>>> -Tracy
>>> Looking at your addy, would that store be near BU?
>>>
>>
>> Why, yes it would...
>>
>> -Tracy
>
> Their baskets are pretty grubby.
>

I never noticed....but my husband usually pushes the cart/carries the
basket when we shop. ;-)
It's not the worst grocery store I have ever been too. That distinction
goes to the old Purity Supreme in Allston. I think it's a Staples now.

-Tracy

On Jul 10, 11:07 am, aem > wrote:
> On Jul 10, 9:02 am, Nancy2 > wrote:> [snip]
> > My favorite local store finally got some new carts, but their plastic
> > baskets are still gross and disgusting. I usually line a plastic
> > basket with a plastic bag taken from the end of the cashier's station,
> > before putting stuff in it. I hate to have my billfold lying in the
> > grossness.
>
> Okay, I'll bite, why would your billfold be lying in the basket? -
> aem

Uh, so I can carry the basket with one hand, and choose my grocery
items with the other - my billfold is too big for a pocket, and I
don't usually carry my whole purse into the store. Where else is my
billfold gonna go??? ;-)

N.