‘Embarrassed’: US tourist baffled by Kmart trolley detail

An American woman visiting Australia for the first time has vented her frustrations over our different shopping trolleys.

An American woman visiting Australia for the first time has vented her frustrations over the difference between shopping trolleys here and in the US.

In a TikTokvideo that’s since been viewed more than 343,000 times, Courtnee Crews described the trolley she used at Kmart – or, as she called them, “buggies” – as uncontrollable.

“I’m in Australia and I want to start telling you things that are different here than in America,” Crews said in the clip.

“Starting off, it’s the buggies, like, the shopping carts.

“They go in all directions, so sideways – ours just go front and back [forwards and backwards].”

Spinning the trolley in a circle, she added: “But these literally do this.”

An American woman visiting Australia for the first time has vented her frustrations over the difference between shopping trolleys here and in the US. Picture: TikTok

‘When you push it, it just does this, so I always make my fiance push the carts because I’m too embarrassed.’ Picture: TikTok

She then alluded to the dreaded occasions when your trolley turns out to be a wayward one, veering off in all directions when you simply want it to move in a straight line.

“When you push it, it just does this,” Crews said, as her trolley moved off to the left, “so I always make my fiance push the carts because I’m too embarrassed.”

Australian viewers of her the clip were just as surprised to learn that US trolleys have such a limited range in direction.

“Your trolleys don’t move in all directions?!” one commented.

While another said, “You mean to tell me your parents never spun you around in circles in an empty aisle before?”

Viewers informed Crews of how to spot a ‘dud’ trolley. Picture: TikTok

Others told Crews how to spot a “dud” trolley.

“You just picked a dud one. Always give it a push before committing to one,” one wrote.

“Oh, the wonky carts are a thing. Welcome to Australia,” another joked.

Many pointed out that if Crews was looking for more American-style trolleys, she should visit Costco here – which is owned by the US chain.

“OMG Costco carts make way more sense now,” one exclaimed.

While another agreed: “Costco trolleys make so much more sense now we’ve been spoilt in Australia.”

“OMG that’s why the Costco trolleys in Australia only go back to front. I was so confused why they were different than usual trolleys,” a third commented.