Grocery Store Culture Shock

lthornton6
Sep 27
4 min read

Local Southern women are clutching their pearls and having a full-on conniption fit the first time they walk into Aldi’s. Lord have mercy, no plastic bags? No bag boy to walk your groceries out? It’s enough to make someone fan themselves with the church bulletin.

And here’s the kicker: twenty years ago, folks would give you a dirty look if you didn’t ask for paper bags, because buying them meant you were supporting the local paper bag mill. Around here, the bag company wasn’t just jobs; it was pride. Now? We’re standing in Aldi’s with our groceries loose in the cart, wondering how on earth we got from “support the paper plant” to “bring your own tote or box.”

And when those mills and bag plants shut down, the loss wasn’t just numbers on an employment chart; it was neighbors out of work, families scrambling, and a whole way of life vanishing. For people with disabilities, it hit even harder. Those jobs in local plants, grocery stores, and bagging lines are often steady and accessible work in small towns, where opportunities are already nonexistent. When industries like that disappear, so do the chances for people with disabilities to find meaningful employment close to home. It’s not just about losing a paycheck; it’s about losing a sense of belonging, routine, and dignity.

Because in the South, grocery shopping has always been its own kind of ritual. You knew the floors would be scuffed linoleum, you knew the air would smell like fried chicken from the deli, and you knew Mrs. Betty at the register would already be halfway caught up on your family business. The bag boy, probably somebody’s nephew fresh off the football field, insisted on hauling your bags out to the car, even if you only bought a loaf of bread and a Coke.

That’s why stepping into Aldi’s is straight-up culture shock. First thing, they hit you with the quarter ransom for a cart. No quarter? No buggy. And if that doesn’t shake you, the checkout will. Those cashiers fling groceries faster than a small-town rumor spreads. Blink, and your bread, beans, and bananas are already flying past you while you’re still digging for your debit card. And then comes the kicker: bag it yourself. With what? Not a plastic bag in sight. If you didn’t drag in your own, you’re left shoving eggs into your purse or balancing boxes in your arms like a circus act.

And don’t even get me started on that infamous Aldi Finds aisle. One minute you’re picking up milk, the next you’re debating whether you need a kayak, a sewing kit, and a ceramic garden gnome that looks suspiciously like your uncle.

But here’s the truth: as wild as Aldi’s is, Southern grocery stores will always win. They were slower, yes, but that slowness meant connection. They fed your stomach and your soul. You didn’t just leave with groceries. You left with hugs, stories, fried chicken in a Styrofoam container, and the kind of gossip you couldn’t put a price on.

So Aldi’s may save you a few dollars, but Southern grocery stores gave you roots. We’ve gone from paper bag pride to Aldi panic.

And Speaking of Bags…

If Aldi’s has you panicking over the lack of plastic or paper, here’s a solution with a little Southern grit and a lot of DIY charm: make your own.

Materials Needed

1 yard of sturdy cotton fabric (canvas, denim, or quilting cotton)
Coordinating thread
Scissors or rotary cutter
Pins or clips
Sewing machine
Measuring tape or ruler
Iron

Cutting Pieces

2 rectangles: 18” wide x 20” tall (front and back panels)
2 strips: 4” wide x 22” long (handles)

Diagram – Panels

+------------------+     +------------------+
|                  |     |                  |
|   18” x 20”      |     |   18” x 20”      |
|                  |     |                  |
+------------------+     +------------------+

Diagram – Handles

+------------------------------------+
|                                    |
|         4” x 22” Strip             |
|                                    |
+------------------------------------+

Sewing the Bag Body

Place the two large rectangles right sides together.
Sew along the sides and bottom with a ½” seam allowance. Leave the top open.
To create a flat bottom: pinch each corner so the side seam lines up with the bottom seam, forming a triangle. Measure 3” from the point, draw a line, sew across, and trim the excess.

Diagram – Boxed Corner

   /\
  /  \        <-- Sew straight across here (3” from tip)
 /____\

Handles

Fold each long strip in half lengthwise, right sides together. Sew along the long edge with a ¼” seam allowance.
Turn right side out (a safety pin or chopstick helps), then press flat with an iron.
Topstitch along both long edges for strength.

Attaching Handles

Turn the bag right side out. Fold the top edge down ½”, press, then fold again 1” and press.
Slip the raw ends of the handles under the folded edge, about 4–5” from each side seam. Pin in place.
Sew all the way around the folded top edge. For extra strength, sew a square or “X” where each handle meets the bag.

Finished Size

A roomy, sturdy tote that works for groceries, books, or even beach gear. Washable and reusable.

Optional Pocket

Cut a 6”x8” piece of fabric, hem the edges, and stitch it to the front panel before assembling the bag.

So if Aldi’s leaves you standing in the checkout line whispering “Lord have mercy” over the bag situation, now you can whip out your own handmade tote.