...to hate Sainsburys checkout staff asking "and what have you been up to today?"

[goodbyegirl]

...as if I was 10 years old and they were my auntie? I know it is part of their training to engage with customers but not all of us want to discuss our activities - feels a bit intrusive to me. I'd rather a harmless chat about the weather!

[TheCatsBollocks]

Waw in Tesco yesterday, the checkout lad was all " hello love how's your day at work been? " I said I don't go out to work. Cue him making all sorts of noises and references to being a lady of leisure.

He was no older than 18.

[MehsMum]

I love our local supermarket because it's small and most of the staff have been there for years. 'How's your littl'un then? No, is she really? Don't time fly!'

Now and then I try the vast acreage of the Sainsbury's in town and come out feeling like a tiny cog in a huge machine. Horrible.

[shockinglybadteacher]

The Co-op near me has some people with a very interesting line in chat.

"Your hat's....green! Like leaves! I think leaves are great, you know".
I replied to that one by saying "It's a fair point, leaves are very important" to which he nodded and looked wise.

Another one engages me in political chat. Unfortunately he's a right-wing nutter and I am usually buying the Morning Star.

A third one is like the opposite of the "Carrots! I like carrots!" guy, in that he will invariably tell you that whatever you are buying is shit and he wouldn't bother if he was you. "Nah, who you getting those for? Those are crap razors, I'd get a proper brand if I was you. I ate them crisps once, they were disgusting".

It's part of the charm really!

[hellskitty]

I guess they are pretty bored and making conversation passes the time, but I do kind of get what you mean about it feeling intrusive.i always get in first asking what time they started, how much longer are they working etc to make them talk about themselves rather than me!!!

[daisychain01]

I'm gutted, sick as a parrot, feeling taken in ...

I did think the M&S staff liked the colour of the T Shirt / scarf / knickers I bought and felt flattered, how gullible am I !!!

[MeerkatTargaryen]

It doesn't happen here. Although I am in the south east so people get the arse if someone looks at them let alone talks to them

[MeerkatTargaryen]

Oh and to add my local sainsbury always meets targets. My mum works there so I know when they have and she has extra discount lol. Every little helps...no wait, wrong one

[MinionDave]

I work in a call centre and we have to do the same - we are penalised if we don't 'personalise the call'. This takes many forms, and the one I hate having to do the most is ask the reason for transferring money, regardless if it's between their own accounts or to someone else's. Makes me cringe and can almost feel the customer giving me the face.

It's a dire place to work, so in reverse I'm always pleasant and make polite chit chat back when I'm receiving customer service.

[CremeEggThief]

YABU They're only doing their job and passing the time of day. Would you prefer rude, surly shop assistants who make you feel they're doing you a huge favour by serving you, after you've dared to interrupt them?

[goodasitgets]

I don't mind it. Sainsburys last night had a lovely woman on the till (I had forgotten my shopping list and was making it up as I shopped) and she was all "did you remember milk? Bread? Teabags?"
I also chat to a guy in asda because he's always on nights and usually just me and him at 3am

[YourBrotherInLaw]

I hate this too. You know they are asking because they are told to, not because they are interested in you so I always feel a bit awkward never know how to answer. [sociallyawkward]

[PuppyMonkey]

You could always tell them to fuck off.

Yabu

[YourBrotherInLaw]

[MerryInthechelseahotel]

Debenham staff were awful today. We waited in the queue at least 15 mins. One person serving who didn't even apologise for the wait and there were a few girls mooching round tidying shelves etc. no small talk there. I was wishing I was a mystery shopper. Dd was panicking as I was going to say something/complain but in the end I just wanted to get away so I didn't.

[waterducksback]

Fideliney, you've spoilt my day.

I've always believed it when M & S say ''that's really nice'' when they're putting it through the till.

Now I know!