Words are text, not images, but you want to create images in the reader's mind, by providing atmosphere. The best way to try and do this, is to avoid mentioning the particular place, person or situation, and only describe it.

The strong smell of over-ripe pineapples was overpowered by the acidity of the accidental spillage of swimming pool chemicals in the next aisle.

Brows were furrowed and lips were clamped firmly together. Skin was shiny and clammy. The cooldrink aisle was the busiest.

Some toddlers in trollies were gazing happily at passersby, while others were crying. A few were screaming and throwing temper tantrums.

The atmosphere or mood I tried to create:

It is humid and people are irritable.
Disorganized supermarket staff, probably suffering from irritability and heat themselves.
Children are frustrated, tired, hot and impatient. Some of the children are quite fascinated by the goings on around them, and are probably further irritating the people whose children are throwing temper tantrums, by the unfairness of it all!

by Teresa Schultz