The Costco Etiquette Rule You Shouldn't Break When Taking Free Samples

One of the best parts of braving a trip to Costco (navigating the insane swarms of other customers) is hitting up the sample carts. If you're lucky and hit a particularly fruitful trip, you can nosh on several delicious samples while you make your circuit of the warehouse checking out deals. Just because there's free food up for offer, however, doesn't mean you have carte blanche to act like a wild animal. There are certain points of etiquette you should know about when grazing Costco samples. In fact, there's one unspoken rule you ought to observe above all others: throw your garbage away in an actual trash can.

On Reddit, an employee fumed, "members, we are not your maids," regarding a photo of a sample snack cup of what appeared to be juice discarded atop a product display. Other employees chimed in, sharing their own examples of customers leaving sample trash everywhere but the rubbish bin. "Some people don't deserve to exist among civilized humans," one commenter groused. 

Samples exist for a reason: how else are you supposed to suss out the best Costco grocery products to buy and which ones to avoid? Still, have a little courtesy and seek out a trash can for your refuse. Sample stands will definitely have one near them and many Costco locations have cans situated at the ends of aisles.

Reddit denizens have a lot to say about Costco sample etiquette overall. While disposing of waste properly was their biggest ask, it turns out there's a whole canon of unspoken rules related to getting your snack on in the warehouse. Sample workers want you to know you shouldn't try to grab the goods before they are ready, for one thing. Also, try to at least listen to the spiel the employee gives you about the item they are demoing, as they're required to do so. You might even discover you want to buy something new because of it. Also, try not to pile around the sample cart, especially if you have a large party. These points of congestion clog up the flow of warehouse traffic, which can be disastrous on a busy day. Take a sample, say thank you, and move along.

Most of these rules are common sense and rooted in everyday good etiquette. Be patient, be polite, and, for the love of rotisserie chicken, don't be greedy. Keep in mind that, while you're free to sample as your heart desires, the carts aren't really there to make up a full meal. Costco hot dogs are only $1.50, even after all these years. If you're starving, head to the food court, the hours of which are usually the same as the warehouse itself. Save some samples for your fellow shoppers.