Eve did not mention that the debate became quite heated with rolling of the eyes and shaking of the heads. Adjectives hurled in each direction such as "comformist" and "illogical." She performed a non-scientific poll which unfortunately supported her right to left preference. I will stick by my left to right preference and would welcome anyone's support of my position!!! A friendship was almost lost over this debate. Glad that we came out of it with friendship intact and grocery carts full. I won't be driving her to T.J.s any time soon. She'll have to putter there alone in her electric car. Although I will reconsider this, as she did share with me the very yummy salt water taffy that she bought. Breakfast of champions.

Someone posted on Facebook this very wise thought: the direction she goes depends on what she's shopping for that day!!

I always go to the right, but i am not sure why. Especially since i have to put all the veggies in the seat part fo the cart so they don't get squished by the juice, boxed goods and milk. I just don't think i can go to the left b/c it would feel awkward, regardless of which way makes more sense.

I start from the left.... skip over to the right... and finish in the center freezer aisle. Perishables get loaded last.

Thank you J Boeger! Very logical (and you STARTED TO THE LEFT!).

Sorry, I go to the left. I used to go to the right but the line for the banana frustrates me. One way or another, it really doesn't matter, I am just so thankful to have a trader joe's. Sometimes I don't need the fruits and veggies because I am fortunate to work so close to Dan's produce that I have done that shopping already. However thanks for the tip on using it as a social occasion. With as busy as my house is these days, my husband and I might need to use it as date night.

Karen, I missed you ladies by 5 mins this morning. I just want my old NW organic blueberries back.

Just make sure that you and your husband decide ahead of time which direction to go in prior to entering the store, or your date night could turn out badly!

I'm not exactly sure why, but I always go to the right. It just strikes me as odd to start on the left. Maybe because the wall is closer to the right in Trader Joe's because in Safeway, I enter to the left towards the fruits and veggies when I use the left door. Hmmm...

I go to the right, because we are brainwashed to go to the right. Plus, the store layout makes us find it odd to consider going in any other direction (see Hilarie and Mona Lisa's comments above). Kudos to Karen, Jack and Barbara for standing up for their priorities, bucking the trend and swimming up stream. Never mind that you who shop in the wrong direction make me insane.

We are centrists--straight back to the free samples and toilets!

Sorry to keep you on your toes at TJs Eileen!!!
And, loved Cecilia's response. When my kids were young, that was the best path! For now, I will stick with the road less traveled......

I don't care which way y'all go but don't be like that old guy this morning who had to fondle and squeeze every single danged item on the shelf before not even choosing one. I saw him do that w/ the salt free tortilla chips. He scrunched each and every bag and then didn't even take one. Perhaps he was on an espionage mission from another grocery store.

Jack, that was me in disguise! Have to get my thrills somehow...

It does not matter which way one goes unless you plan to buy a whole case of wine. Otherwise just keep it fast and healthy by sticking to the perimeter. There are rarely reasons to visit the center rows of any grocery store.

Anyone who goes left must b e a lefty, I love lefties, but when it comes to TJ's the natual pull is to the right, so anyone who goes left must have a strong sense of them selves and be willing to pull against the current. I admire leftys, but I will never be one. Its priorities first - meat and potatoes, cereal and tea. I am married to an Irishman. Glad we are working all this out!

For the record, I am a righty, but I definitely see those who go to the right as people "willing to pull against the current." I'd like to start a movement for those who see themselves in this light. Show your rebellious side: lets start a wave to the left. Trader Joe's customers won't know what hit them!! Lets see if they start to the left thinking that it must be the "right" way to go!!!

I agree with Barbara. A great way to shop is to go to Dan's Produce first for fresher, better and mote exotic produce first...while supporting one of the best locally owned businesses on our island. Then I go to Trader Joe's for items not available from Dan.
Remember to support our independent business owners or we will lose the opportunity to do so! This is especially true now that Measure A has passed.