We’re dedicating this post to all of the wonderful Publix associates out there who live and breathe the Publix culture. If you’re not an associate, but rather a Publix super fan, that’s OK, this blog is for you too. Not only will you find it incredibly accurate, you’ll also find it reassuring to know that you’re not the only one out there who feels the way you do.
Before we begin, how about a quick history lesson? As an employee-owned company, every Publix associate feels responsible for their Publix. When you see a customer shopping at your store, you want to make sure that they feel welcome and that they enjoy their visit as much as possible in hopes that they will return time and time again. Part of the Publix culture is to embrace the love for your company and to make sure that your customers are happy. So now that everyone is brought up to speed on what it truly means to be a Publix associate, let the fun begin!
A Look Inside the Mind of a Publix Associate
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you see something on the ground and you feel compelled to pick it up. It doesn’t even have to be inside a store. You can spot a dropped wrapper or a paper towel from a mile away. The motto, “Don’t pass it up, pick it up,” has been told to you so many times, it is one of your daily catch phrases.
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you’re in the checkout line at any store and you automatically start unloading the customer’s cart behind you. You may get halfway through the cart before you even realize what you’re doing, but you finish unloading regardless. And of course when the person behind you says thank you, you immediately respond, “It’s my pleasure!”
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you stand at the checkout counter of another store and you try to use the 2 × 2 rule. For those who don’t know about this rule, our associates are trained when they have completed bagging a customer’s groceries to offer carryout assistance by placing both hands on the cart and taking two steps towards the door. You know better than to grab a customer’s cart out of uniform and just start walking away with it… but the temptation is definitely there, and it’s hard to fight.
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you are shopping in your local store, hear “All service personnel, come up front please,” and you immediately head to the front of the store to help bag. You may realize your mistake as you reach the checkout lines and receive strange looks from the friends and family you left in the aisle, but you can’t help it!
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you’re making your way into a store and you spot some shopping carts in the parking lot that you want to return. It’s so hard for you to resist the temptation of running over to gather them up and bring inside that you eventually give in. As a Publix associate, you know that the more carts outside means fewer carts available inside for customers to grab when entering the store.
You know you’re a Publix associate when–you know all the fruits and vegetables by their look up numbers and not by their names. No matter where you are, the second you see a banana the number 4011 pops into your head like you’re solving a math equation. You even help out your cashier by whispering 4225 as you walk to pay, when he or she is having trouble ringing up your favorite avocado.
Do you have a funny “you know you’re a Publix associate when” story that you’d like to share with us? We want to hear them in the comments below.
You know you’re a Publix associates when you shop anywhere and walk past customers and you get the urge of acknowledging them. You find someone looking up or looking for something and you have to ask if there’s anything they need help with!!!