Carrefour Experience

I still don't like meat but found this picture quite impressive.

We went shopping at Carrefour. We used to shop there before moving to the states and back then, people would say “how American, the way you shop.” It sounds silly now. People here don’t shop at the mall, but they go to tiny stores and the farmers’ market in their neighborhood.

We parked in front of the mall. Parking lots here are tiny. Lucky for us we have a tiny car! I am still amazed at people’s parking skills. Hoping I will get there soon.

We walked into the store and looked in amazement at a wall full of scanner pistols. Called Scan & Go. We applied for a membership card and then were eligible for a scanner pistol. L loved it! With that pistol, you scan all the products while putting them into the bags in your cart. And that was what she was doing, I am convinced we ended up buying much more than we needed or at least paying for more than we had in our cart just because L had so much fun pointing and shooting at all the products. She was in charge! After our shopping was done, we just passed through a special cashier’s stand without having to unload our whole cart again. One of the employees came to scan some random items in our cart to confirm we didn’t forget anything, and then we paid and were good to go.

Of course, we did not have bags with us, like everybody else, but were expecting people to bag our stuff at the check-out. It will take some adjustment….  But, no, there are no free bags, but you can buy reusable bags. Which is usually a good thing, but of course, we will have to get used to that too and not forgot our bags home every time we go to the store!

We definitely had fun pushing around those carts that go into all directions. After we found someone with coins to give us change to pay for it in the parking lot!  Unfortunately not all of the carts here have child seats on it, ours didn’t so we didn’t have much time for shopping.  Another fun thing was to see how employees here react when you ask them for a certain product. I know, we are spoiled, at Whole Foods they would take your hand and take you to the right aisle.  Not so here. Most employees would answer that they didn’t know since the store was building a new section and moving things around constantly.  Still, employees were nice.  They could not help out but would start asking around and help you search.

Another amazing thing is the amount of MSG or other stabilizer or taste enhancer they put into food here. You really have to read all ingredients. It felt like shopping at Safeway in Hilo for the first time, before finding out about their organic products. 

We ended up buying way too much food, but of course, we really need to try it all! Lots of emotional and compulsive buying.  Overall, shopping during the week is quite relaxing.  Of course, when we came back on Saturday afternoon, the place was crowded! We had forgotten about stores being closed here in Sundays, and since people work a lot during the week, they have to go on Saturdays. 
How lovely that they have Cannabis beer, and it was even organic.  Found some tropical fruit, slightly overpriced. I got one Cherimoya for 3 Euros and a mango for about the same price. Then we got the second mango for free because we made the employee smile!  That is, in small format, how things here in Spain work. Once you develop personal relationships, it all becomes so much easier and convenient!