to think the checkout operator shouldn't call me lazy for buying prepared veg?

[oldmum42]

I have a large family, so had a big pile of veg for the next 3 or 4 days. peeled, prepared, ready to bung in the oven roasting tatties, prepared fresh wedged tatties, carrots and other "hard" veg ready cubed.

She's raised an eyebrow before, but today she said "Is mummy having a lazy day today then? That must cost you a lot extra" (aimed in the direction of my 16mo in the trolley seat). I replied that it does indeed cost extra, but worth it to me as I have arthritis in my fingers, which shut her up somewhat.

Actually I don't have Arthritis, but I have hypermobile finger joints and peeling/chopping and even writing causes pain for hours if I'm not careful, and I am at high risk of Arthritis when older because of it - so I try limit peeling/chopping.

AIBU to think the checkout operator should not to calling customers lazy or otherwise making comments about a customers shopping................ they are there to sell us stuff, not police what we are buying!

Even if I was just "being lazy", then so what? My money, my business, surely? Fuming slightly about this (and a few other insensitive remarks I've had lately from people who should be paying a bit more attention to customer service).

creepyweebrackets , I shall have to try those!

I have never had a cashier comment on my shopping good or bad. Less chatting, more scanning as far as I'm concerned.

I worked in a supermarket whilst at college and one fateful day on the till a lady approx 8 months pregnant came through my till.

She had loads of nappies, baby food, wipes etc etc and I like the naive 18 year old I was said 'oh are you stocking up for when your baby is born? that's a clever way to budget' trying to compliment her.

She replied ' no, actually my baby is 4 months old'

que the fastest scanning Safeways ever saw! She had a massive bloody trolley too!!

Lesson here - NEVER comment on customer purchase EVER :)

Just stick to the self-service till if you can't handle conversations with real live people.

Sparklingbrook, loved the youtube clip.

Ok, as Worra el al have said, prob I am being a LITTLE BU, it must indeed be difficult to make small talk all day and not put your foot in it sometimes (but shouldn't they get small talk training!?!), and that's why I fumed, but did not complain - I do think it's cack-handed to call your customers lazy tho'!

I agree, they've been told to make conversation. I also agree with the poster who said the more comments they make, the more people will put their foot in it, I certainly would. It would be worse than being an X Factor judge, trying to say interesting stuff about loads of things that are all the same.
"Ooh frozen peas, great"
"Ooh frozen peas, I love them"
"Ooh frozen peas, they are a superfood apparently"
"Ooh tinned peas, revolting! AAARRGHH!! I didn't mean that, sorry, your peas are your own, you might not have a freezer...sorry...insensitive of me...my husband gets them and I always tell him off..."

I wonder if the chat is deliberate, and is to make people use the self-service tills?!

That woman was quite rude.

I work as a checkout operator and we ARE told to make conversation with customers. I usually notice what customers are buying and ask about it - have learned a few new recipes this way. Or if the customer is buying nappies or baby food I ask how old, b/g etc. I'm not being nosy, but trying to be friendly - after all shopping in a supermarket is not the most fun so I try to make it a wee bit more bearable. Also we get regular (1 or 2 a month) mystery shoppers - if we don't attempt conversation, we get marked down. I think she was just trying to make conversation and didn't mean anything one way or another.

Lol at impatient - that's why I ask how old their DC are, can't be insulted! One of my colleagues did the same thing last night she was mortified and couldn't stop apologising.

She was being a bit of a div. YANBU. You should have said "I don't have time to chop vegetables in between servicing punters and looking after a family" Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!

FWIW, I don't mind checkout staff chatting to me. It's nice. But they are not allowed to slag off my slatternly purchases such as frozen minced garlic for instance.

Really SamNorman? That surprises me because it is actually really intrusive to have the contents of your trolley discussed. I'm amazed that it is thought to be good customer service.

They don't do it in Waitrose.

I still can't understand how they haven't invented something to scan the whole trolley in one go.

I wouldnt comment on everything, just a product I'd never seen or an unusual item. We are told to do this, do you expect us not to notice what people are buying? How else would I know what good offers are on? I don't get to wander about the shop during my shift, I have to stay there. Do waitrose staff not chat then? Wouldn't know about that as we don't have them in NE Scotland. What's so objectionable about a genuinely interested question anyway? Better than the same shit about the weather - its March and it's cold and wet!

see, this is the problem - the shop/chain owners never ask the customers what they want. they just foist it upon us and punish the staff if they don't do it.

Bloody Hell. She obviously recognised you and thought she would bring a bit of humour into the event. You know - that thing that makes you turn the corners of your mouth upwards.

I can imagine your journey home:
"Damned cheek of the woman - how dare a supermarket cashier talk to me like that. Must ask Mumsnet to agree that cashiers should know their place"

They do chat, just not about the shopping. Although to be honest I'm not one for small talk and would just be left alone.

I think I'm touchy about it because it is usually the ready meals or wine etc that is commented on. I feel bad enough about it anyway and don't want to be thought of as the woman who is too lazy to cook.

Bupcakesandcunting at servicing punters comment.

They have frozen minced Garlic? (runs off to buy some)

I was once buying the ingredients for curry, the lady on the checkout commented and I said it was my first attempt with out a paste and she proceeds to tell me how she made it, she was an Indian lady and said it was the right way, by the time I got home I'd forgotten how, I kept looking for her but never saw her. I thought it was lovely.

I still can't understand how they haven't invented something to scan the whole trolley in one go

We need to create jobs, not lose them!

Still, not having to queue so long would be blissful

The lady in front of me at the supermarket the other day was asked by the cashier if she puts on weight after eating all the chocolate she was scanning!! The poor woman just replied "er, not really".

But that wasn't the end of it..

The cashier then started talking about food she had to avoid when she was a Vegas showgirl!! You don't expect that in our dingy Morrisons!

But it is very rude. Yes, working on checkouts can be boring and sometimes a little chat with the customers helps pass the time but you never, ever comment on their shopping, bad form. What passes at the checkout, stays at the checkout

Would it kill those who don't like the chat to be a bit more understanding? We get to deal with all sorts of people, and a wee bit of friendly chit chat breaks up the day. Would make a change from getting moaned at about prices, age restrictions, licensing laws and everything that is deemed Tescos fucking fault (not my words, from a particularly nasty customer last night) - quite honestly, I'm there because I need the money, not to be treated as some sort of sub-human! The checkout staff are trying to be nice (usually, I know there can be awful ones, I avoid them)
Maybe spare a wee thought, time and small talk for the folk who have to do this for a living!

Hazie - I ask if the wines nice

Worra, I thought about the jobs bit, but I do think in the 21st century it is a bit archaic to scan each item individually.

The cashier could just have a super power scanner, and we would be out of there in no time.

oldmum The only place I have any issues so far are the joint of my big toe on my right foot and my back. It all got triggered by pg #3. I had awful SPD mainly focussed in my back. After the birth I saw a consultant who diagnosed the hypermobility (I thought til then I was just flexible!) and scoliosis of the spine as a result. So that will only get worse with age I guess. As will the beginnings of a widow's hump.

I'm trying to be good. I've recently started pilates to try and help with my posture. It's so hard not to do more damage though. And it's very misunderstood - I'm sure people think I just slouch rather than realising my joints don't do what their's do!

Yes she was rude
No in our supermarket people who work there don't strike up conversations past "how are you"
If they did they wouldn't make pointed comments about laziness, or at least they shouldn't!

It's not hard to make small talk without insulting people
What a sweet baby
I like your coat
Do you live locally
We get that cheese too it's very tasty
Have you heard that a new branch of X is opening opposite
Blah blah blah

Really not hard.