For Floridians who are regular Publix shoppers, it is generally a pleasure—except when it is not. As one of the nicer grocery stores in the Sunshine State, it’s also one of the most comprehensive. “Comprehensive” translates to lots of square footage.
That often means “a quick trip to Publix” often isn’t so quick. So how do you deal with the aisles and aisles of choices? Well, one Florida resident is taking a novel approach. As TikToker @essjeaux describes it, she’s going grocery shopping “fully raw.”
What Does That Mean?
The headline across the TikTok reads, “Day 3 going into Publix raw.” As she tells it, there were “no headphones, no phone call”—just cashiers, small talk, and the least convincing laugh ever.
But there’s something in her demeanor suggesting that this grocery run was less an annoying chore and more some sort of endurance test. Her flat affect doesn’t suggest that it was easy for her to interact with fellow shoppers while perusing the canned goods aisle.
Viewers were stuck on the descriptor @essjeaux used to describe her grocery trip.
“’Fully raw’ is the wildest way to describe grocery shopping [laughing emoji, laughing emoji, laughing emoji],” one wrote.
“You’re so brave,” another quipped.
A Trend
In 2024, a trend emerged: Some travelers were “raw dogging” long flights. That means no screens, earbuds, or entertainment. For those with an extreme bent, it even means no food, water, or sleep. Culturally speaking, it’s not good news when sitting with your thoughts is considered “challenging.”
However, navigating without a stimulus like music or a conversation can force you to be alone with your thoughts. And that can be really uncomfortable. Writer Michael Shammas speculates that “perhaps because [before headphones] people were forced to live in the present, they didn’t feel so awkward simply being.” Now, because many people are walking around, isolated even in a crowd, he thinks their worlds are smaller and more fearful.
Now we’re all walking around too nervous to figure out what we really think or feel about anything, even deli meat.
What’s On The Other Side Of Fear?
Connection, that thing that so many of us are seemingly longing for (and missing) might be the thing we gain if we decide to give “raw life” a fighting chance. Because loneliness has real health impacts: increased risk of heart disease and stroke, with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia for older adults.
Even if that interaction is the Publix cashier asking, as they asked Jeaux, “How’s it going? Did you find everything you need?”
And all you answer back is “And then some.” Followed by a laugh. “Hahaha,” she recalls.
Even if it feels awkward or uncomfortable, a single moment with a stranger can end up being the best part of your day. Who knew small talk as you eat the free samples might help you? Longevity-ish speaking.
BroBible reached out to Jeaux via TikTok direct message and with a comment on her post. We’ll update this when she replies.