In supermarkets, it's common to find free samples of certain products offered to customers to encourage purchases. But what happens when people forget these are just samples? Cuban tiktoker Jonathan Pino shared an incident at a Costco branch involving a Cuban couple overly engrossed in trying all the available cheeses.
"What I just saw at Costco is unbelievable... I got in line for a white cheese, similar to a beautiful Camagüey cheese. I stood there for six minutes, and the line wasn't moving. When I looked at the sample table, I saw a Cuban couple sampling cheese slices here and there," Jonathan recounts.
"Don't go to Costco for lunch; it's a free sample. There's a bunch of people waiting to try the cheese too," adds the tiktoker, who eventually had to leave without tasting anything.
The video triggered a flood of reactions: "They caught me. I go back multiple times"; "They were quality control for gastronomy"; "Wherever we go, we make a mess"; "At the mall, people sample from all the restaurants and end up full"; "The same thing happens to me at the mall. By the time I finish sampling, I'm full"; "Honestly, it's wrong, but we really are something else."
Understanding Free Samples at Costco
Here are some frequently asked questions about the etiquette and purpose of free samples at Costco, based on the recent viral video by Jonathan Pino.
Why does Costco offer free samples?
Costco offers free samples to encourage customers to try new products and make informed purchasing decisions.
Is it appropriate to take multiple samples at Costco?
While taking multiple samples is not prohibited, it's considered courteous to limit yourself to one or two, allowing others to try the product as well.
What should you do if the sample line isn't moving?
If the sample line isn't moving, it may be best to explore other parts of the store and return later, or politely ask if there's an issue holding up the line.