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Original poster

What is the best response when cashiers ask “how has your day been”?

105 replies

Curledup · 23/10/2021 16:56

I am socially kind of inept and I don’t really like this when cashiers ask this. But I know they are probably told to ask and be friendly to customers. What do others say? I say “not too bad” should I also ask how their day has been?

OP posts:
fedup65356 · 23/10/2021 17:18

Awful, how's yours been?

Mynameismargot · 23/10/2021 17:18

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
This made me laugh out loud! So much misery in one post!
Goawayquickly · 23/10/2021 17:27

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
That's just politeness from them and rudeness from you. So superior.
Leftphalange · 23/10/2021 17:31

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
Trying to imagine you at the hairdressers
SickAndTiredAgain · 23/10/2021 17:32

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
Jeez what a waste of breath when “fine, thanks” would be perfectly sufficient, and would signal you didn’t want a conversation. I used to work on checkouts, and I’m not an overly chatty person generally but god, some people could be bloody miserable.
NiceGerbil · 23/10/2021 17:34

Good thanks, you?

Doubleaxel · 23/10/2021 17:35

Pretty good, thanks! Followed by “and how was your day?” or “ it seems very busy” or some similar non-specific remark

CouncilHousedAndViolentBaby · 23/10/2021 17:38

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
Oh get a bloody grip ffs
riotlady · 23/10/2021 17:38

Fine thanks, you?

Justilou1 · 23/10/2021 17:40

During lockdown sometimes people were so bloody vile to them, I was the one asking if they were okay. Checking to see if they felt safe and if they needed reminding that some people still noticed that they were human too. (Nothing intrusive, but some looked pretty shell-shocked, and people were arseholes.)

ImNotDancing · 23/10/2021 17:50

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
Wow you’re rude.
NotMyCat · 23/10/2021 17:50

I just usually say good thanks; day off or something about work
Some are really chatty and I don't mind that at all, I've been asked how to cook something, if a product is good... all kinds!

I did get asked if I was ok once when I was very red eyed at the tills. It sounds ridiculous but at Christmas an elderly woman was in morrisons and a guy (mid 20s) had stopped to chat and was using google translate (I think he was Polish) to ask about Christmas dinner and she was patiently explaining sprouts, turkey, how to cook it; the lot and he was nodding and picking stuff up and tapping on his phone. I think I was hormonal because it was just so lovely I got all emotional BlushBlush

NotMyCat · 23/10/2021 17:54

Also you usually pick up who wants to chat and who doesn't. I've had (on the phone)
A guy who was about to have spinal surgery and was terrified and we had the same op and I was able to chat and answer some questions
A woman who had broken her ankle and was telling me how bored she was (we both had horses; both broke the same ankles)
A woman who lost her husband to covid, needed help but was utterly terrified of seeing anyone who sobbed her heart out down the phone

Then you get people who are just yes/no. I tend to read them, work out what they want and do that. Good customer service is adapting to your customer, and I will never ever hang up or cut a call short to someone who is upset even if it's not related to my job

tiggerwhocamefortea · 23/10/2021 17:54

I have twins

Ragwort · 23/10/2021 17:55

It's such a trite comment though isn't it, and when it's ask parrot fashion it really has no meaning. I do feel sorry for cashiers who have been trained to say it but there are so many better ways of providing polite, friendly service. I've worked in customer service all my life and thank goodness I've never been told to use 'stock' phrases.

I used to hate it in my local building society when the cashier would ask 'what are your plans for the rest of the day?' I know they are only trying to make polite conversation but it's so intrusive and I would have loved to say something outrageous...like 'rob a bank or two' or 'meet my lover for an illicit encounter'.

But I think the problem is that so many people find it hard to make exchange social niceties so they are trained to use specific phrases.

LadyCatStark · 23/10/2021 17:57

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
No way… you don’t really say that do you? 🙈

I say, “Good thanks, how about you?” Or if it’s especially cold/ warm/ wet/ dark I may make a weather related comment.

I once said the above to a cashier in Aldi and he did a double take and said no one ever asked him how he was and looked all pleased so now I make sure I always remember to ask how they are because unlike @RavingAnnie I appreciate that they are people and deserve to be treated as you would treat any other person.

Sn0tnose · 23/10/2021 17:59

@RavingAnnie

I'd rather they didn't ask. I'm not their mate. It's weird. So I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you". But I'm very anti social and hate this overfamiliarity that businesses seem to think everyone wants whilst at the same time delivering shite customer service.
That’s it Annie, tell them to shut the fuck up and mind their own business, that’ll show them, the bastards. It’s not something their head offices tell them to do at all. No, it’s that bitch Shirley on checkout no 6 who’s trying to discover how your haemorrhoids are now. Put them in their places, the little weirdos 🙄
EmpressaurusWitchDoesntBurn · 23/10/2021 18:05

I always say hello to the staff in my local supermarket & cafe, smile & ask how they are if they don’t ask me first.

GameofPhones · 23/10/2021 18:06

I'm with Raving Annie, but I wouldn't be dismissive. We need something between robotic and faux friendliness.

lljkk · 23/10/2021 18:07

You don't have to talk about yourself any more than you want to, OP.

A lot of people are very lonely, barely talk to anyone ever. Much less get an opportunity to share part of their day. It's a kindness to make these opportunities. It's just touching base. Easily deflected as others said, if you prefer, but an invite others need for their own sanity, too.

DeePlume · 23/10/2021 18:07

Not too bad is an absolutely fine response! When we (cashiers) ask things like that we are just usually filling a silence while we wait for the card machine to connect or something similar!

HunkyPunk · 23/10/2021 18:08

I just say something like "I'm just here for my shopping thank you".

Why not add "not to talk to the likes of you", just to leave them in no doubt. Grin

WendyYourExcellency · 23/10/2021 18:08

I always smile, say great thanks, how are you?!

roundtable · 23/10/2021 18:08

I say 'good thanks, how about yours?'

Cringing at Annie's reply. Poor member of staff.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 23/10/2021 18:09

Fine thanks, you?

They don't care how your day is. You don't care how theirs is. It's just an exchange of pleasantries.