Cashiers Are People Too
Dear Customers,
Many interactions these days are done with machines. The ATM, the automated phone system, the internet...
I implore you to remember that your cashier is a human being. This means it is okay for you to say hello to them. It also means that certain behaviours are considered just plain rude. Although we are very smart peeps, we have not yet been fully trained in mind reading. This means the following:
* we do not know where your grocery order ends and the next one begins. That is why somebody invented those neat little plastic things you can place on the belt to separate the orders. USE THEM.
* we do not know if the plastic card you are using is debit or credit unless you tell us. Please note: there is no race to swipe your card through the machine; we are not keeping track of your speed. Calm down. You may actually tell us that you are paying by debit before you swipe your card, and the whole process will run a lot more smoothly. To the customer who informed me of their desire for cashback after they swiped their card and before I knew how they were paying, may I also remind you that the computers that are handling the financial part of our time spent together cannot hear you speak and therefore require me to hit some buttons before your wish can be complied with.
* cashiers are not responsible for stocking the shelves; please take your complaints concerning our lack of your favorite food to customer service. Those employees need good stories to tell on their breaks too.
* our back hurts. our knees hurt. our feet hurt. our shoulders hurt. When you hover over the rollers and insist on grabbing the full bags from our hands, that really sends a shooting pain through the elbow and the back. You will notice that the rollers incline down to the end of the lane, which is where you should be with your cart to receive your groceries.
* on that note, the lanes are designed for you to push your carts through. Park at the front of the lane, unload and then push your cart through to the end. Pulling your cart through is awkward, causes you to smash into things and is generally embarrassing to watch. Pushing your cart through also frees you from the lame-o practice of leaning over your cart to swipe your debit card. THINK, people!!!!
* if you want everything double bagged, it is time for you to consider bringing your own bags. We love people who bring their own bags because we hate the waste at the grocery store. If you bring your own bags, pack them yourself. It's much faster, and then you won't complain about the way we did it.
* we are required to keep your credit card until we have verified your signature. Therefore it is very bad form for you to reach over our till and take your credit card back when we are not looking. Would you do this at Bish? I don't think so.
* produce bags are for produce. They are not intended to be collectibles. They are also not there so that you can wrap each thing you buy to prevent your food from coming into contact with itself. If you are that afraid of what you are eating, maybe you should try the all-water diet.
* please do not tell me how to do my job. Remember, my back hurts. Some stores have fancy "self check-outs". Go there.
* we have not taken cheques for several years. We still don't. With the one single exception of government cheques which need to be stamped at customer service before we can take them. Do not get mad at me, I did not make this rule, I am just forced to comply with it. Deposit your paycheque before buying groceries.
* why are you buying food if you don't know what it is?
* you tip the girls at Tim's. All they do is turn around and grab you a doughnut. Fill your coffee mug, hit a button that administers your cream. We are making sure that your chicken doesn't touch your beef, that your bath products are all in the same bag, that your frozen food doesn't get your Weekly World News wet. Feel free to donate your change to your cashier. Most of us are paying our way through school on this thankless salary.
Oh customers, there are many more things you have to learn. But this should be a good start. Study these rules until you can recite them in your sleep, and I assure you that your next trip to the grocery store will be much more enjoyable.
Gotta tip? Gotta complaint? Gotta suggestion? Let us know: cash_0r_charge@yahoo.com
Many interactions these days are done with machines. The ATM, the automated phone system, the internet...
I implore you to remember that your cashier is a human being. This means it is okay for you to say hello to them. It also means that certain behaviours are considered just plain rude. Although we are very smart peeps, we have not yet been fully trained in mind reading. This means the following:
* we do not know where your grocery order ends and the next one begins. That is why somebody invented those neat little plastic things you can place on the belt to separate the orders. USE THEM.
* we do not know if the plastic card you are using is debit or credit unless you tell us. Please note: there is no race to swipe your card through the machine; we are not keeping track of your speed. Calm down. You may actually tell us that you are paying by debit before you swipe your card, and the whole process will run a lot more smoothly. To the customer who informed me of their desire for cashback after they swiped their card and before I knew how they were paying, may I also remind you that the computers that are handling the financial part of our time spent together cannot hear you speak and therefore require me to hit some buttons before your wish can be complied with.
* cashiers are not responsible for stocking the shelves; please take your complaints concerning our lack of your favorite food to customer service. Those employees need good stories to tell on their breaks too.
* our back hurts. our knees hurt. our feet hurt. our shoulders hurt. When you hover over the rollers and insist on grabbing the full bags from our hands, that really sends a shooting pain through the elbow and the back. You will notice that the rollers incline down to the end of the lane, which is where you should be with your cart to receive your groceries.
* on that note, the lanes are designed for you to push your carts through. Park at the front of the lane, unload and then push your cart through to the end. Pulling your cart through is awkward, causes you to smash into things and is generally embarrassing to watch. Pushing your cart through also frees you from the lame-o practice of leaning over your cart to swipe your debit card. THINK, people!!!!
* if you want everything double bagged, it is time for you to consider bringing your own bags. We love people who bring their own bags because we hate the waste at the grocery store. If you bring your own bags, pack them yourself. It's much faster, and then you won't complain about the way we did it.
* we are required to keep your credit card until we have verified your signature. Therefore it is very bad form for you to reach over our till and take your credit card back when we are not looking. Would you do this at Bish? I don't think so.
* produce bags are for produce. They are not intended to be collectibles. They are also not there so that you can wrap each thing you buy to prevent your food from coming into contact with itself. If you are that afraid of what you are eating, maybe you should try the all-water diet.
* please do not tell me how to do my job. Remember, my back hurts. Some stores have fancy "self check-outs". Go there.
* we have not taken cheques for several years. We still don't. With the one single exception of government cheques which need to be stamped at customer service before we can take them. Do not get mad at me, I did not make this rule, I am just forced to comply with it. Deposit your paycheque before buying groceries.
* why are you buying food if you don't know what it is?
* you tip the girls at Tim's. All they do is turn around and grab you a doughnut. Fill your coffee mug, hit a button that administers your cream. We are making sure that your chicken doesn't touch your beef, that your bath products are all in the same bag, that your frozen food doesn't get your Weekly World News wet. Feel free to donate your change to your cashier. Most of us are paying our way through school on this thankless salary.
Oh customers, there are many more things you have to learn. But this should be a good start. Study these rules until you can recite them in your sleep, and I assure you that your next trip to the grocery store will be much more enjoyable.
Gotta tip? Gotta complaint? Gotta suggestion? Let us know: cash_0r_charge@yahoo.com
posted by ces at 11:46 AM
4 comments
