When I went shopping today, I noticed it again. When it's my turn, I usually address the cashier with "Hello, how are you today?" The gal didn't even look at me, said "Fine" in a nasty tone, and proceeded to ring up my groceries without a word and then handed me the receipt without a word. I noticed she also did not greet the customer behind me.

I realize entry-level cashiers are not well-paid and probably have to deal with some rude people, but I don't think they should take it out on nice, polite customers. I was so annoyed today I almost wanted to call the manager and complain, but I don't how they could force someone to be polite. What's it like in your area, are cashiers generally friendly, or do you have the same experience?

"Excuse me! You are checking me out, and I want you to pay attention to what you're doing. I don't care about your date last night."

If that doesn't work, or if I get a sulky attitude or look, hell yes, I call over the manager. There are plenty of people looking for jobs, and who will do the job well.

Trin

The first time I travelled to the south, and a cashier engaged me in a lengthy conversation about where we were from, our travels, etc, I was mortified, and embarrassed to be holding up the line like that---until I realized that the half dozen people behind me were just as interested in the conversation and seemed to be in no rush.

Now, I find the same attitude just 30 miles away from the suburbs. It's more rural, people are friendlier. You find yourself chatting with other customers, with sales people, etc. In general, people are more considerate and less in a rush.

I guess my point is--do you know for sure the sales girl was being rude? Or is it just possible she came from another area of the country, where the culture may have been different, and she feels she's not doing her job properly if she chats with everyone coming through her line. As I say, the 2 areas where I shop are just 30 miles apart--but in one place it's polite to chat with your checker, in the other it's extremely rude. Go figure!

I don't think I chat enough to distract the cashier. I just ask them how they are when it's my turn and then keep quiet unless they start a conversation. Then, when I pay, I thank them and wish them a good afternoon or weekend or whatever is appropriate.

This is really unusual. Most of the clerks know the regulars, and even if they don't, they always speak. I had not seen her before so I have to believe she is a new clerk. Hopefully she will do better next time.

One time I was in that same Kroger and again, it was a young girl checking me out. I don't remember if she said Hello or anything. As she was checking my items, she carried on a conversation with another girl. I let it go on until she was finished checking and I stood there with my money in my hand waiting to pay. She kept talking, never looking my way. Then she said to the other girl "yes, he is my cousin!"

I said, quite loudly, "and I am your customer!" She looked at me like she had forgotten where she was. I hope that got her attention and taught her a lesson.

There are always exceptions, but I see rudeness every where these days, in the young and the not-so-young.

Sue

Ron

BUT, honestly, if I was ringing through 10 people an hour over an 8 hour day it would wear me out.

So, it's not something I expect. I'm happy to engage with someone who is being friendly, but if they don't want to talk, that's OK with me too.

Heavenly Father,

Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off
in traffic last night is a single Mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.
Open our hearts not to just those who're close to us, but to all humanity.

Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

AMEN

We have one chatty male guy who won't stop talking, its so funny with his accent and so nice too.

But if I have a 20-y-old checking me out while bleating on his/her cellphone about last night's party - I'm still going to call him/her on it.

They are at work.

I say hello, and I'm pleasant. I don't require conversation, I require attention to the job. I also don't want to be charged $15 for raspberries because I bought 3lbs of rutabagas, and the silly person at the till doesn't know what a rutabaga is. Then silly person gets huffy when I call them on the mistake.

They are working. Pay attention. That's what you do when you have a job.

Ron ...

... speechless!

Most cashiers around here look you in the eye, often with a smile, as they begin to process your goods and ask how you are, but don't get into a conversation.

And many ask that you have a good day, or whatever, as they finish serving you.

I find that I often make some reference to someone in line as to what s/he is doing, buying, etc., e.g. if they have a small order, saying that it looks as though it's going to be a thin lunch, today.

Most give one a response, and seldom do I get cut off.

I often try to bring some humour into the conversation, then as a conclusion, I often say that one of the best stress-relievers around is some humour (that's not aimed at someone's ribs) ...

... and usually people agree.

It seems to me to be useful to bring a ray of sunchine into someone's life ... who knows what burden they may be carrying, and a cheerful greeting from a stranger may help lighten that load somewhat.

I suspect also that the fact that I live alone may have a bearing on the situation. If I lived where I had daily interaction with another(s), I might be less inclined to initiate conversations with strangers.

I hope that you're having a lovely weekend: at church we had pizza night and chose one of three movies to watch.

ole joyful