Shoppers divided over 'aisle strokers' habit
A new supermarket annoyance has sparked online debate: 'aisle strokers,' a term coined by Metro for shoppers who squeeze, touch, and fondle fruit, vegetables, or pastries before selecting one to buy. Many items they handle are left behind for unsuspecting customers, raising hygiene concerns.
According to trade publication Talking Retail, customer touching of surfaces or produce was the matter of 'most concern' for 75% of 1,900 surveyed consumers, with 9% even changing their regular store because of it.
Public outrage on social media
Online reactions are fierce. Redditor @moodog16 begged: 'Stop touching everything with your filthy hands!' while @ziawitch declared 'people sampling things with their bare hands' as the worst habit. @BrummbarKT called it 'horrid' behaviour, noting some people don't wash fruit and veg after others have touched them.
On TikTok, @leocadiocifuentes13 said aisle stroking is 'the sort of thing that will make us glare daggers at you,' adding: 'Nobody wants to eat something others have pawed at.' A shocking story came from @mvp_51, who recalled seeing a woman at Lidl lick her finger before grabbing pastries.
Metro staff weigh in
At Metro HQ, opinions varied. Lifestyle Reporter Eleanor Noyce said she would judge, adding: 'My only issue with dirty (loose) fruit is the prospect of unwashed hands touching it.' Opinion and Analysis Editor Ross McCafferty said: 'I'd be concerned for their mental wellbeing if they were walking round sniffing apples.'
Senior Lifestyle Reporter Courtney Pochin shared watching a man in Whole Foods ignore tongs for cheese samples and 'shove his hand right in the bowl,' which 'pissed [her] right off.' Editorial Manager Duncan Lindsay said: 'I absolutely hate people's paws all over fruit, veg or bakery items that they then put back.' Sophie Laughton, Head of Newsletters, uses a plastic bag as a glove to select produce.
Video Games Editor David Jenkins admitted to the habit with potatoes: 'I demand a very specific size and minimum level of bruising... There are no tongs to save fellow shoppers when I do that.'
Expert hygiene perspective
Pharmacist Thorrun Govind told Metro: 'From a hygiene perspective, repeatedly touching open food can transfer germs from hands to the food.' While the risk is lower for items with protective skin like bananas, she warned that touching bread, pastries, or loose fruit carries 'a small risk of transferring microorganisms.' These can include bacteria and viruses from everyday surfaces such as phones, trolleys, and door handles. In some cases, it could contribute to mild gastrointestinal illness if someone has poor hand hygiene.
Govind advises: 'It's best practice to keep your hands away from food unless you intend to buy it.' However, she notes: 'For most healthy people the risk of serious illness from brief incidental touching is generally low.' She recommends washing fruit and veg at home and practicing good hand hygiene.
Supermarket etiquette tips
The Kitchn shares top tips: don't leave a mess, put things back, don't leave your cart in the aisle, greet your cashier, don't drink and shop, and return your cart.
