Grocery shopping. What is an easy and fun activity for some, others view as a grueling yet essential weekly task. Now, here you are, on an island paradise in the sun. Just when you thought life would be easier, you are reminded that some things remain the same no matter your zip code. The weekly grocery shopping is one of those things.
We’ve done the research for you and armed with these 6 tips you can rest assured you will start running those supermarket aisles, with the pre-knowledge of what to expect. It’s one less thing to worry about. We will have you grocery shopping like a local in no time.
- Currency Confusion
The first thing you will notice when you enter any supermarket or small grocery store on Dutch side St. Maarten is the super high price listed on each item. Relax. Supermarkets and other stores are obliged by law to list the price of store items in our national currency, the Netherlands Antilles Florin or NAF also known as the Guilder. Some stores will list the price of an item in NAF first and in US Dollars second, while others opt to o it the other way around. This does not mean that you need to run to the foreign exchange office to get your hands on some guilders. The US Dollar is accepted island-wide. Just in case you already have the guilders, know that no business on the Dutch side of the island can ever refuse accepting the guilder.
But, what about shopping on the French side? Our sisters and brothers on French Saint Martin have some rather nice supermarkets to lose yourself in but it’s not an easy task if you don’t speak French. Everything is listed in Euros and all products are described in, yes, you guessed it, French. If you don’t speak the language this may seem like quite an impossible venture. But don’t let this dissuade you from shopping at the mega supermarkets available on the French side. Especially when French cheeses, French wine, patés and other French delicacies are on your shopping list.
- The war of the Supermarkets
We just touched on the subject of Dutch versus French supermarkets. Here is another tip. Every single supermarket or small grocery shop on the island has something to offer that the others don’t. Whether it’s for better quality meat or cheaper vegetables, local shoppers are experts at navigating the different grocery shops to get the best “bang” for their money. The idea of running from one shop to the other on a busy day sounds like a nightmare and there are certainly some supermarkets that offer “it all”. It’s something to consider once you get to be a pro at grocery shopping on the island. You can always advance to the next stage of the grocery shopping game once you are more comfortable with how things work here.
- The baggers
Let us start with the obvious. Once you enter any supermarket or grocery store here on St. Maarten, one thing will become painfully obvious. Single use plastic bags are still king and are used by grocery stores everywhere. The ban of single use plastic is in the works and you will see that the bigger supermarket chains offer the reusable bags for less than a buck. Stock up on a few of these if you don’t already have reusable bags of your own and avoid using plastic bags. You won’t only be helping keep the island plastic-free but you will be glad you will already be one step ahead once the ban is implemented.
Let’s move on to the reason this tip is on this list. Bag fillers or baggers are standing at a ready at every single supermarket cash out line, no matter the size of the store. Back in the days, they would help you carefully and expertly bag your bags and carry them to your car for you. Most baggers today have unfortunately lost sight of the art that is grocery bagging and generally just fill the bags haphazardly and fast (expecting the same tip), quick to get to the next costumer. Often you are left wondering how you’re going to get it all to the car by yourself.
Remember that baggers are not a must. You can always decline their service or tell them how you want your groceries bagged. A good thing to note is that the supermarkets and shops do not employ these baggers, even if they have the store’s logo on their shirts. So should something happen to your groceries on the way out of the store to your car, it will be on you. The baggers also do not work for a fee by the stores but solely for tips. If they bag your groceries a tip is expected. Even though the amount is at your discretion the unknown rule is anywhere between 1 US Dollar and 5, depends how generous you feel that day or how good the packer was.
- Best shopping days
When we talk about best grocery shopping days on the island, we mean the quietest days, the days when you can stroll the aisles without bumping into your neighbor, your boss, yoga instructor, hairstylist and your gynecologist. By the way, that day is usually Saturday. The weekend is when most people are off and since most locals do the island tour of supermarkets to get the best and the best priced products, Saturday is usually when one gets to visit all the stores on the list.
Just like the rest of the world, the days before Christmas and other holidays will be swamped with the masses, who like everyone else left the shopping for the last minute. End of the month is another time to avoid going to the supermarkets, if you are trying to steer clear of the crowds. This is when most people get paid, and after the bar for a cold one, the supermarket is the obvious next stop on their way home. Best days to shop for those much needed groceries are weekdays in the early morning.
- Supermarkets vs small grocery stores
Besides a variety of different supermarkets on both sides of the island, St. Maarten also has its fair share of small stores, mostly Chinese owned. These serve well for last minute cleaning supplies, canned food, etc., especially because they are open till about 10PM or later, while regular supermarkets between 7 and 9PM.
Now you are ready to conquer the supermarkets on the island. Sure, it can be overwhelming in the beginning but with these tips, you will be able to find your way around. If anything, ask a fellow shopper for advice. Most people here are more than happy to help.
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