An American women living in Australia has made a bold claim about the shopping carts at some of our biggest supermarkets — and hundreds of Australians agreed with her.
Lex B, known as @LexInWonderland on TikTok, said she had a “controversial” opinion after living in Australia for nine months.
The expat, who is originally from Houston, Texas, said while she has been in Australia she has shopped at Coles, Woolworths and fruit shops.
“I’m not a controversial person, but here we go. This is a thought I’ve had for a long time — basically since I’ve been here,” she said in the clip.
“American trolleys [shopping cart] are better than Australian trolleys.”
She said it was “comical” that it was her “biggest gripe” about living Down Under, revealing she located here due to her husband’s job.
“I dread having to make a turn at the supermarkets, I suck at it and of course the story in my head is everyone’s watching me and they know I am a foreigner,” she said.
She explained to news.com.au that the only difference between shopping carts in the US and Australia — besides what they’re called — is that in America the two back wheels were locked.
“You’d think this would make it harder to manoeuvre but it’s quite the opposite! I recently went back to the US for a visit and actually posted a video of me using an HEB trolley so folks could see the difference,” she said.
Her video racked up hundreds of comments, with many people offering tips — or taking the opportunity to have a little joke.
“Aussie trolleys don’t just get you through the supermarket – they prepare you for life. If you can steer one with a rogue wheel through a Woolies car park, you can handle a stampede of bin chickens, dodge a snake in your backyard, and wrestle a croc if it comes to it,” one said.
Another wrote: “On the bright side, they do give you a good core workout while shopping. And there is the exciting mystery of not knowing where it is going at any time.”
“They have suggested pushing the trolley from the side or front instead of from the back,” she said.
“Others have suggested turning your body in the direction you want to go first, then letting the trolley follow, essentially over-exaggerating the turns. And many have said there are no tricks and they are just awful!
“What’s funny is the majority of Aussies agree that the trolleys here are difficult to manoeuvre. I was shocked at just how many agreed with me. We all share the same struggle.”
The expat said she found that if she turns her body first, it has helped out a little. She also shared other things that she’s noticed about the key difference in Australian and US supermarkets.
“Americans generally shop one spot for all the things they need, whereas here it’s more common to visit several shops for your items – bread, produce, meat, etc. I’m enjoying the change and find the quality is much better when I do this.
“I’ve also noticed the supermarkets are smaller here, but then again I’m from Texas where everything truly is bigger! Although I miss some of my fave US products, I do like the smaller shop vibe here in Australia, as I find myself not as burdened with decision fatigue.”
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