It's the final hurdle of any holiday that can turn weary travellers into seething balls of frustration. A newly coined trend, dubbed 'carousel grinding', is uniting flyers in shared fury over what many see as peak airport selfishness.
What is Carousel Grinding?
The term, popularised by Metro, describes the infuriating scene at baggage reclaim where passengers crowd perilously close to the conveyor belt. In a desperate bid to spot their suitcase first, they often barge through others, creating a tight, impenetrable circle that blocks everyone's view and access.
'It genuinely fills me with rage,' exclaims Josie de Kock, 26. For this West London resident, the habit exposes society's worst traits. 'I think it just shows how selfish everyone is, as if as long as they're close and have got their spot by the carousel then they don't worry about anyone else.'
The sentiment is echoed by Sophie Alcock, 26, a senior surveyor from Kent, who points out the flawed logic. 'Waiting at the carousel won't make the bags come any faster. It's so annoying then when your bag comes out and you can't get to it because people don't want to give up their waiting spot. It's really bizarre.'
A Global Travel Pet Peeve
This isn't just a British complaint. Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos from exasperated travellers in the US, Italy, the Philippines, and beyond, all venting about the same universal experience.
Etiquette expert Laura Windsor, often called the Queen of Etiquette, acknowledges the instinct. 'While it may be seen as one of Britain's worst travel habits, the reality is that especially after a long flight, all people want is to grab their suitcase and get home. That's completely understandable.'
However, she highlights the core problem: 'When too many people crowd the belt, it makes it harder for everyone to spot their bags. The situation is made worse when an entire family gathers at the front — parents, children, trolleys, buggies and all — when in reality, only one or two people need to retrieve the luggage.'
How to Handle the Carousel Chaos
So what's the solution when faced with a wall of 'carousel grinders'? Laura Windsor offers some pragmatic advice for keeping your cool.
She recommends: 'Stand back to allow everyone to see their luggage and the moment it arrives, step forward, lift it off, and move on quickly. But habits are hard to break, especially when you are tired and impatient to get home. So, first things first, take a breath.'
Her key tips include:
- Accept that this behaviour isn't going away any time soon.
- Try moving away from the most crowded pockets.
- Resist the urge to join in out of frustration, and try to set a good example.
- Remember, standing back might not change the situation, but it might make your experience a better one.
The expert concludes with a reassuring thought for the silently seething majority: 'If you find yourself thinking that crowding the luggage belt is rude and inconsiderate, you're almost certainly not alone!'
