We've all been there, the dreaded checkout line at your local grocery store. You've just spent two hours wondering through the endless maze of products, advertisements, and possibly deranged customers. The only thing standing between you and home is a line of people checking out and a cashier. It's inevitable, you must wait in line like everyone else (of course, the self-check out is now an option). More than likely, you are going to be interacting with one more person before you can head home, maybe more if the person(s) in front of you are particularly chatty. I, on the other hand, am now that person between you and home. As a cashier, I would like to share some information that will hopefully make our interaction a little bit easier and bit more pleasant.
1) I am a Person! : I and other cashiers are going to make mistakes. Please be patient. You being rude and/or yelling will get us nowhere. If anything, your cashier will only get flustered and make more mistakes. If you are pleasant and patient, the interaction will go much smoother. You don't need to carry a conversation, just politely say yes or no to my questions and carry on. If you need to complain, please be tactful in your presentation. I will help to the best of my ability.
2) The bagging carousel is not a toy! : A part of my, and many others', job description is packing the bags as you check out. Please, under no circumstances, turn the carousel holding the bags while I am loading them. I will spin it to you as soon as I'm done. I'm happy to bag things in a certain way, just tell me (kindly). Nothing grinds my gears more than when a person spins the carousel, then complains I did not put enough items in each bag. Be patient and let me do my job. Also, if you have kids, make sure they refrain from this as well. Please and thank you.
3) I will get hung-up on hangers!: The one thing that slows me down more than anything is removing hangers from clothes. A person will bring up 10 shirts, all on hangers, and watch as I work to remove each hanger. It is especially frustrating when that same customer that asked me to keep the hangers becomes visibly annoyed at the pace I am now moving at. Avoid this and remove the hangers before you get in line (or pass the time in line and do this while you're waiting!).
4) Extreme couponers beware!: Coupons are great, and I am happy to help you save money. With that being said, I and those behind you in line don't appreciate you having to dig through a purse/wallet to find 50 coupons. Know which ones you will need and be ready once you're at the front of the line. This can be another great use of time spent waiting in line. Also, read over the requirements of the coupon. I can't give you $1.50 off two cans of dog food when you need to buy 12 (yes, this happens a lot).
5) Organization is key! : I will try and organize your bags as well as I can. This means heavy stuff together, cold stuff together, stuff that can be crushed together, et cetera. However, this is extremely difficult when you throw everything on the belt haphazardly. It doesn't have to be in perfect order, but it will help the process go more smoothly if things are generally grouped together.
6) I know, more lanes SHOULD be open! : Yes, it is extremely frustrating that only 5 lanes are open to check out. I want more lanes to be open as well. That would mean less of a strain on me. I don't like seeing a line form, it make me anxious because I know those at the end are likely going to be irritated and tired. Dude, me too. I'm tired (refer back to number 1). Complaining to me won't solve anything, because I am but a lowly cashier. I have no power in this situation. And a heads up, that number of lanes drops as the night goes on. Midnight is likely to only have 1 or 2 lanes open. Do you want to work at midnight on Friday night? No? Neither does anyone else. That's why so few people are working then. So please, be extra kind to the people that are willing to work then.
I guess the overall message here is to remember we are all people. That cashier might be a grad-student trying to put them self through school, or maybe a single mother trying to put food on the table. Being a decent person costs $0, so why not treat these cashiers with kindness and respect. I'm positive they will give you the same in return. Doing so won't guarantee a perfect visit to the store, but it makes a pleasant experience more likely than if you are rude and irritable. I will do my best if you are willing to as well.
