How are you paying today?

[ItsTricky]

It drives me bonkers. If I am making my purchase today, I'm not going to pay for it tomorrow, am I?

[jimijack]

Ha drives me mad too. Also when they ask for your email address to send the receipt.

I feel sorry for them actually because it's probably a dumb ass stupid company policy that they have to ask this.

[PickledOnionSoup]

People on here get mad over the strangest things.

[Becauseicannes]

They are asking the method of payment - how is that annoying? The have to enter whether you are paying debit, credit etc. They are not asking if you want to pay today or tomorrow.

[Fudgeface123]

Exactly becauseicannes, don't see the problem, they are asking you how you want to pay today not do you want to pay today.

[ItsTricky]

OK. I'll put it another way. Is there a word missing from 'how are you paying?'

[redshoeblueshoe]

It always makes me wonder if they can't actually trust their staff to be civil without a list of stupid totally unnecessary questions.

[Topseyt]

They are asking what payment method you are using. Why is that a problem? Surely it is a necessary question.

[redshoeblueshoe]

Its not a necessary question when they can see the cash/card in your hand.

[Shakey1500]

"How would you like to pay?" settles it

[ItsTricky]

It's often a way to engage the customer in a chat about opening an account. Do you have one if our cards?

The 'today' bit is just silly.

[Sparklingbrook]

The 'cash or card' in Aldi annoys me. Just wait and see.

[LineRunner]

I get completely thrown by being asked, 'And what are you doing with the rest of your day?'

I know they don't give a shit, and I don't want to tell them.

I normally say that I'm going home to unpack my shopping. But I'm tempted to regale them with plans of sex with the plumber.

[Sparklingbrook]

YY Line. I always want to make something up and see if they are listening. They are only making conversation as instructed i guess.

[ItsTricky]

Oh yes and 'Is it your day off?' Nosey sods. No, I'm a lady of leisure just killing time while the Aston Martin gets waxed.

[Mabelface]

Try working in retail then. We have to ask these things so please don't be so fucking mean. We have a thankless and not very well paid job.

[Sparklingbrook]

I used to work on the counter in a bank. We were never instructed to engage in conversation. We just did-because it was polite. That was way back when though.
i was in the bank last week and there appears to be no actual people at all any more.

[Feminine]

Do you honestly think that the staff make up these witty comments?
They have to.
Retail isn't like the old days. In 2015 staff have to conduct a circus act while helping you find a way to pay!

[ItsTricky]

Come on the madlizzy, get your own back with some stupid things customers say. Peter Kay did a joke about customers always asking taxi drivers 'what time are you on 'til?'

(My daughter is in retail too)

[MumSnotBU]

I like a bit of chat in a shop. Interacting with people- it's part of being human imo. I live in a small town where everyone chats and has a laugh in shops, in the street, walking the dogs, in the pub..

Loads of people are lonely and need some chat, even if it's at the till.

[Sparklingbrook]

I always say 'Hello, how are you?' to people serving in cafes and shops. I don't always get a smile or a reply but hey you never know.

[undoubtedly]

I have noticed that more and more often I get "and can I take your email address?" at the checkout.

To which my reply is always "no".

Seems to throw them momentarily...

[Shakey1500]

Upon further consideration the phrase "How are you paying today?" is technically accurate if you take into account the following-

"Because yesterday you paid by xyz method" or "Because tomorrow you may choose an alternative method than today"

I have FAR too much time on my hands.

[Norfolknway]

I work in retail and I often have to spend a long time with customers.
It'd be weird if I didn't make small talk. We'd just sit there in an odd and uncomfortable silence.
For what it's worth, I am genuinely interested, I don't HAVE to ask certain things, and my and my clients tend to get on rather well.

It turns a fairly mundane and lengthy transaction into something rather pleasant...most of the time

I agree the word 'today' is unnecessary

[Sparklingbrook]

I give my email address and post code and whatever else they want. Sometimes i even buy the chocolate they are promoting at the till in B&M. I worry that the staff have targets to meet.