To be annoyed at the Aldi staff

at my local Aldi one of the staff was chatting to us in a completely normal way as he scanned fast/we packed fast then a colleague close by said “John is talking to his customer” into her headset as if it was a problem! Very off putting of her. I tried to email to defend him but it bounced back- of course- not impressed. they’re all nice when you actually speak to them

Same. As long as my shopping is being scanned and the job is being done why can't they chat to make there day go quicker.
Unless it's highly inappropriate things to be talking about then I see an issue but come on, we spend more time at work than at home mostly, let them find some fun and happiness in a long days work lol

I’ve worked in retail but when I was serving a customer my focus was on them , not on a phone or my colleagues.

I think they’re expected to do this by management. The staff in our stores are lovely and dealing with pressure to work at pace as the stores are so busy

There’s only about 3 staff members in our Sainsbury’s.

I know. I was joking. Most of us aren't unwashed either.

When I went to Aldi the other day, the young lady was on her phone, explaining to me that she was trying to get concert tickets, as she served me! Yeah it's not great.

I have worked in a supermarket and in two department stores. I know it can be a difficult job.

I agree. I have no issue with people talking at work, but not to the extent that they ignore me.

At my regular supermarket, there used to be one staff member who ignored me, not to talk to other staff, she just remained silent. I always had to ask for the total. She would point to the screen over the till, and I had to explain that I couldn’t see it, (shitty vision).

I think there is a broader issue at play in that some staff don’t realize that paying for your groceries at a staffed till is a transaction; it requires two people.

At my friend’s cottage (in a small town in cottage country in Ontario) there are no self charge machines in the two grocery stores. I am always taken aback at how friendly the staff are. I wonder if there is a correlation?

I agree. It's the same in my local Heron. I didn't even get a hello or goodbye last time as they were so busy conversating over their headsets.

I am in Ireland and have not come across this very often if at all. Most retail staff in my experience here chat to the customer. I do notice it in shops when I visit the UK a lot more. I am bemused by it.

Retail staff can't win
If they are nice and offer a season's greeting they get customers moaning about that (although I think most normal customers wouldn't actually moan about that). If they don't chat they're rude.
Both DH and I have worked in retail and we've both said it should be compulsory for every adult to work in retail or hospitality because then I bet customers wouldn't moan so much.

The staff at my local Aldi are extremely rude. I had a guy serve me with my food shop and he had a headset on talking away and said “ooh very unhealthy food shop here!” to his mate!

To be fair, I’d rather they chatted away to someone else rather than me, I hate small talk with strangers. So if they’re chatting and that helps thej
enjoy their day, go ahead. As long as they pay attention to you when you need the attention ie you want to ask a question, the rest wouldn’t bother me, just let me get my shopping and go. I worked in retail for a long time, it’s a bloody awful job and sometimes your colleagues are what can save you from going insane. I never chatted on headsets as we never had them, but wouldn’t begrudge others doing so

I've noticed it at pur Aldi but quite often it's the girls when they're stacking the shelves so I know what you mean.

Many moons ago, when I worked on the checkout of a now extinct supermarket chain, this would have been a huge no no. You weren't just scanning shopping and taking money, you were trained to remember that you gave good customer service to ensure customers came back.

Shit, rude staff are the main reason I rarely go in to Asda even though there is one practically on my doorstep. It's also why I love self service.

It’s a bit rude though. To be standing with a customer, facing them etc, and chatting away to someone else.

Ive worked in two supermarkets and one high street shop over the years, and none of my checkout managers would have thought this was ok. And I’d agree with them

It wasn’t great tbh. Made me very wary of using that shop in case I was next!

More extrapolation. Turn it into a grievance? Hardly. I again just reiterate that perhaps you shouldn't say anything.

mumsnet trope.

I think the reply you said you gave was rude. Someone was saying something well meant to you. There's no need to correct them. Just smile, thank them (if you can bring yourself to do so) and get on with your day.

How to turn a friendly inconsequential bit of chat into a grievance, FFS.

You were annoyed because he wished you happy new year. It's not like he was offensive. Most people would just say thanks you too regardless of if they celebrate it or not.
Still at least it would have given him and his colleagues something to laugh about at break time.
You sound like hard work.

Any response except “Thank you-happy new year to you too” would have been rude. The same way you respond to any seasonal greeting.

You're extrapolating. At no point did I say I snapped or was in any way rude/short.