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).

Its none of her fucking business. I've been a checkout operator, it's not hard to make polite conversation & just etiquette to not comment on an item, other than in a positive way, ooh those are my favourite, have you tried such & such a flavour etc

Her comment was rude & I hate when snide remarks Are directed through my toddler. Eg when buying wine as a gift the other day (I'm very obviously 37 weeks pg) Ooh, is mummy been having a tough week? It's just rude.

To those who told you to chill out, well, you asked if you were bu. Not for advice on how to deal with life FFS.

Our policy is that you make eye contact, smile and greet and then make conversation if spoken to. Then say what the amount is, thank you, give change etc. Bye

hth:o

diddl I don't know how it works now but it was so annoying to have to do it. We had to ask if they required carrier bags (it was always obvious if they needed them or not but we still HAD to ask or get told off). The amount of people who would respond with "Duh?" or "No! I'm going to carry them like this!" was stupid. Once you've been on the tills a while its like water off a ducks back and you really don't care about snarky comments and can respond in a humourous manner.

That sounds fine to me, Agincourt

I often find that as the cashier is busy scanning & I´m busy packing, chat would distract/slow me down.

It´s not as if there´s an awkward silence that needs filling

I am not addressing the comment at the OP who was responding to a clumsy comment but must say that some of the responses to this post are so snobby it beggars belief. Should check out staff really 'know their place'? Have you all been watching too much Downton? Should nobody chat to you unless they have been properly introduced? It's a lonely world out there, check out work can be very dull, a little human kindness can go a long way. Both ways.

Plenty of ways to make polite conversation without being critical.

I work in a library and wouldn't comment negatively on what books people read - only positive stuff like "ooh I've heard that one's really good"

I had a checkout operator yesterday talk to me at length about the hair-dye I'd just bought. I'm not the sensitive type normally but there's something about discussing a product bought for a) sheer vanity and b) a pathetic attempt to hide your decrepitude that's ... well... a little personal. I kept trying the fixed smile and no response that usually passes for 'can you shut up now?' but it didn't work.

YANBU Not very good customer service to accuse the convenience shopper of laziness....

"It's a lonely world out there, check out work can be very dull,"

But that´s not the fault of the customer, is it?

What I find most annoying is as Cogito says-when people don´t take the hint to shut up!

I'm normally the one that starts the conversation. I know it must be dull on the checkout when shoppers are miserable sods and I try not to be one. But really, when you're already feeling a bit old and scruffy because your parting is starting to look like a motheaten badger pelt, it's not the best product to chat about....

OK hands up it was an arrogant thing to say- but really when you have been standing there for about twenty minutes whilst she investigated the shopping of the two people in front of me ( to their great embarrassment) commenting on "why anyone pays for x drink because in her opinion water in the tap is free and its tastes better" she really wasn't exactly doing her bit to increase the shop profit- which is presumably why check out staff are trained to chat with customers to make the shopping experience pleasant not make people feel bad about spending their money. So by the time she got to me my buttons had already been pressed.
Sorry! Normally I like chatting to check out staff as I am sure its a dull job, but on this day I had really had enough.

I'm enjoying this thread. So many people agree with me. By the way, I didn't actually tell my check out operator to "Shut up." I simply asked her to get on with it as I was in a hurry. I wasn't but I didn't want to listen to her chat.

The only supermarket I've ever had rude till operators in.

TESCO!

I'm glad others find it so rude. I'm seriously considering next time it happens I will lodge a complaint... but given the poor customer service I've stopped shopping there unless I have to!

I'm not too happy about those who defend the cashiers because their job is boring or 'they're only human'. I've worked in stores for over ten years and spent plenty of that time on the checkouts. Apart from the first year (when I was only 16) I've managed to smile, be polite, make eye contact and NOT talk about people's purchases. It's nobody else's fault that you have a boring job which messes up your long-sight after 8 hours of it and if you've 'processed' enough customers you'll have very quickly learned that not everybody WANTS a chat, banal or otherwise.

As long as you appear receptive to conversation, some people might ask if you've been busy, when your shift ends, whether you like your job etc. and then you can take your cue, if you so wish.

Use your eyes. If you can see someone is in a hurry or looking a bit stressed, make it easier for them. Keep chat to a minimum, get off your chair and help to pack bags. Don't throw stuff down the checkout when it's clear they're not even halfway through loading the belt. If you're on the express checkout at lunchtime - don't chat! People are in a hurry!

Whatever you think of someone's purchasing habits, keep it to yourself. I can't remember a time when I actually said something out loud about someone's shopping unless they were a regular and it was something positive.

As both a cashier and a customer I've learnt what most people like and don't like so I keep the format the same - do your job, get a smile on your face, look UP at people (it's not for everybody but I hated sitting on a chair, I stood up all day) and slow down/speed up as is relevant. Treat their purchases with care, be attentive and if you're not in the mood for a chat yourself, answer their questions or respond to their attempts but don't open up further.

It IS exhausting work, but it can be done. I've proved it.

If I was feeling naughty I would have had to reply via baby "well at least we're keeping this lady in a job hey" and glance pointedly at the self service checkout

I have said previously that I don't mind cashiers making chit-chat BUT the ones in M&S take the piss (sorry, but you do and I know ut's not your fault) It's like their "Team Leaders" have told them that they must appear "bubbly" and "vivacious".

reminds me of the fast show checkout girl

I linked to that at 12.47 maddening.

oops sorry only read the first page

YANBU - making positive or neutral comments only isn't rocket science. With a 16 mo in tow it is even easier as you can acknowledge the parent and then engage with the child, tell them you like their shoes, give them a wave or hide behind the till and say "boo" etc.

I'll let you off. That was the only clip I could find on You Tube there must be more. loved The Fast Show.

I know can't believe that there's only one! - checkout girl was one of my faves too - have to dig the boxset out once ds stops cosleeping ( I am in bed on mn next to sleeping ds at 8pm most nights haha )

I have a chest infection at the moment, DH is calling me 'coughing Bob Fleming'

chest infections suck! Get well soon

YANBU

A smile and greeting at the check out is more than sufficient - I definitely don't need or want any chat, especially not about the contents of my trolly. I agree it is rude, intrusive, inappropriate and just a bit weird for checkout assistants to start evaluating your food and calling you lazy is outrageous. I would have been really annoyed.