Do My Neighbors Even Eat? A Grocery Phenomenon

OK so hear me out. I have been thinking about this for a long time now. Like, since I was a kid. It all started when I first saw The Truman Show where Jim Carey's character is the subject of a TV show and the whole world he lived in was a sound stage.

I was 12 years old when that movie made me paranoid as heck. I was convinced that the premise of the film could really happen. If you've never seen it before, here's the trailer to give you an idea. Also, you REALLY need to watch it, it's fantastic.

So, my childhood paranoia made me more observant of the "little things" that people around me were doing. Taking out the trash, leaving for work, etc. Over the years, I have always wondered why I've never noticed something so common that you would think I would have observed it.

To this day, I have never seen any of my neighbors bring their groceries into their house. I wouldn't say I am to Gladys Kravitz's level of nosy, but I do watch what's happening in my hood. So this seems really strange to me. I was curious whether it was just me or if others could say the same, so I consulted The Google, and we consulted Facebook for our Morning Show poll.

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Come to find out, I am NOT alone. There are videos allllll over Tiktok and Reddit threads galore with other people who have also never seen their neighbors bring in their groceries.

@toddhorton923 What about you? Have you seen any?? #neighbors #bringinthegroceries #rainysaturday #groceries #shopping ♬ groceries - toddhorton923

Here are some comments from folks who are also very confused by this realization: "Somehow I was the neighbor everyone saw with groceries, but I’ve never seen anyone in my apt complex with them." "Now that I think about it. Hell naw, lawn chairs goin in the front I'm camping for a couple days."  

@iamybg #matrix #pov #wierd ♬ I Got 5 On It - Tethered Mix from US - Michael Abels & Luniz

"We all gonna be watching our neighbors now…"

"I legit have never seen my neighbors bring in groceries, not one bag."

"When u suddenly realize you just mind yo business and stay to yourself."

Our friend Adam joked, "I don’t believe I have. Makes me wonder, what do they eat or do they eat? Do they have a cow living in their house that they slaughter and milk? I’m extremely concerned now!!!" Don't worry Adam, Sarah brings up a good point, "Not that I remember, but I've seen them in the grocery store soooo I know they eat."

"Been in my house 10 months and have seen 2 of 3 neighbors carry theirs in. One shops at Sam’s and the other at Kroger!"

"If I say yes does that mean I am nosy?"

Why Do People Not See Their Neighbors Bring in Their Groceries?

Now, there are conspiracy theorists who claim this phenomenon is because we live in a simulation (*cough* Truman Show *cough*) but that is super far-fetched. Plus, I would say it's actually common to see people bringing in their groceries in movies or TV shows. They are always carrying paper bags with a loaf of bread sticking out of the top, you know what I mean?

I'm sure there are totally reasonable explanations for this. Everyone is so busy these days, our neighbors' normal behavior is not something we are likely to notice. Maybe they're having groceries delivered, or we're just not outside at the same time. If folks park inside their garages and enter the house that way, we won't see them unload shopping bags.

What is your answer to this question? Have you ever seen your neighbors bring in their groceries? If not, its weird, right? I bet now that we've talked about it, you'll see them do it!