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Original poster

Checkout etiquette

30 replies

Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 19:24

Just a lighthearted one but also something I've noticed and found very rude and selfish...

When standing in the queue for a checkout and a new till opens, have you noticed how people behind you rush forward to get there first? So, say you're 3rd in line, 4th and 5th take no heed of you being in front and being priority to be served at the newly opened one.

When I'm behind them and they're getting their trolley to move I beckon them to go in front as it's polite and fair. Have never had that reciprocated, just full on push and rush in front with no eye contact.

As I said, lighthearted, just one of the many poor etiquettes practised by most people with strangers.

Don't even get me started on drivers lol 😒 🙄 😂

OP posts:
ILikePistachios · 20/05/2024 19:32

I thought this was going to be about people with trolleys using the basket checkouts and was about to go on a full rant but nevermind.

I do agree with you though, it's reminds me of the black Friday sale videos from America, people pushing and shoving to be first

Pettyman · 20/05/2024 19:33

That happened today in Tesco but the nice bloke who could’ve moved to the till being opened let me go first. I said “that’s kind, doesn’t happen often”

TeenDivided · 20/05/2024 19:34

We are all very polite in my local Waitrose.

Coconutter24 · 20/05/2024 19:36

I always point checkouts opening to the person in front of me if they haven’t seen it, sometimes they wait so I’ll just head over. I have had it before a few times where the cashier will make a point of saying the next person in line or look directly and speak to the next person in the queue but I think they do that cos their just as fed up watching people try jump to the front lol

BibbleandSqwauk · 20/05/2024 19:42

In my Lidl I can see when they're about to open a new til by the length of the existing queues. I won't join an existing queue and it's pure luck if I'm in the right spot but yes I'll move forward if one opens right near me. I will however wave people ahead of they've got a lot less than me or a small child or something.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 20/05/2024 19:43

No mine is when a new check out opens up a someone with a massive full to the brim trolley unloads, and sees that I have 1 item and doesn't let me go in front.

Then while the cashier has to wait for the trolley twat to unload all their shopping -they could have served me and sent me on my merry way.

Kalevala · 20/05/2024 19:45

I don't usually move if I'm next in line to start loading up where I'm at. It takes a while for the operator to open up so more suited to the person behind me. It seems a common decision for other people I've seen in the same position.

Floogal · 20/05/2024 19:59

Ha ha, hence why I don't work in retail anymore. The ones that REALLY boiled my piss were:

  • People wondering off while you are serving them because they forgot something.
  • People who decide to count their shrapnel or faff about doing online banking at the end of the transaction.
  • Customers talking on their phones while you're serving them. *The sophomaniacs who try to 'long change' you.
  • 'Do you have to pay for bags?' 'I don't see why I should have to pay for a bag'.
  • The customers who pretend to be a few pounds short on their shopping and make a big show of what to put back. Usually someone else in the queue buys the items for them. Actually seen notes in their purse.
TheUsualChaos · 20/05/2024 20:05

I absolutely hate this. Had a lady proceed to be very rude to me because I called her out on her queue jumping as a new til opened. I said "excuse me, I was next" as she was trying get past and she thought I was the one being unreasonable and said I didn't know how checkouts worked! Unbelievable 🙄

Biffbaff · 20/05/2024 20:58

It depends where you are. If it's Aldi and you're first to get to the new till, it's yours. If you're in a more civilised establishment, it's whoever is furthest ahead in the existing queue and hasn't yet started unloading.

Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:06

Oh the black Fridays and reduced stock being out the worst in humans! X

OP posts:
Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:09

Biffbaff · 20/05/2024 20:58

It depends where you are. If it's Aldi and you're first to get to the new till, it's yours. If you're in a more civilised establishment, it's whoever is furthest ahead in the existing queue and hasn't yet started unloading.

Yes, it's generally in aldi, home bargains, b and m. Other places don't seem to have as much of a queue. Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:15

Sorry, just working out how to reply, it seems quote rather than add post! 😉

OP posts:
Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:17

TeenDivided · 20/05/2024 19:34

We are all very polite in my local Waitrose.

I think you've summed it up there with local and waitrose. In inner city poundland the same etiquette is unfortunately very different. lol 😆

OP posts:
Tlolljs · 20/05/2024 21:20

One of the only joys being a checkout operator. I used to love doing it then watch the chaos. 😀

Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:26

Coconutter24 · 20/05/2024 19:36

I always point checkouts opening to the person in front of me if they haven’t seen it, sometimes they wait so I’ll just head over. I have had it before a few times where the cashier will make a point of saying the next person in line or look directly and speak to the next person in the queue but I think they do that cos their just as fed up watching people try jump to the front lol

That is what we would like to hear from cashiers so we can respond 'I'm next in line '. Last time somene pushed in front I cba with a possible confrontation so next time I'm going to make sure I announce I'm next. It's quite sad watching how some really have no manners, they are on a mission and no intent of reading the room, ignoring the elder lady not realising what's going on or the Mum with a newborn, the person on crutches.
Just an example of so many instances of humans being basically awful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Deeperthantheocean · 20/05/2024 21:28

Tlolljs · 20/05/2024 21:20

One of the only joys being a checkout operator. I used to love doing it then watch the chaos. 😀

I'm sure you will have seen humankind at its best so many times 😂😂

OP posts:
Kalevala · 20/05/2024 21:29

The cashier often isn't there yet when the announcement comes, the light comes on and the first person loads their shopping on the belt. So no one to call people forward.

Coconutter24 · 20/05/2024 21:34

Kalevala · 20/05/2024 21:29

The cashier often isn't there yet when the announcement comes, the light comes on and the first person loads their shopping on the belt. So no one to call people forward.

Depends what shop your in

Imcurvyandilikeit · 20/05/2024 22:06

I was in smyths a couple weeks ago. There was one cashier serving a customer. I was next in line and there was 3 men stood waiting behind me. Another member of staff shouted us across as she was opening another till and all 3 men rushed over and I ended up back of the queue. I couldn't believe how rude some people could be that not one of them offered for me to go before them.

Kalevala · 20/05/2024 22:18

Imcurvyandilikeit · 20/05/2024 22:06

I was in smyths a couple weeks ago. There was one cashier serving a customer. I was next in line and there was 3 men stood waiting behind me. Another member of staff shouted us across as she was opening another till and all 3 men rushed over and I ended up back of the queue. I couldn't believe how rude some people could be that not one of them offered for me to go before them.

Unless you were going to be first in line then why would you move if you were already next where you were?

LakeTiticaca · 20/05/2024 22:48

As a former customer service team leader I would tell the next customer in line which till will be opening and escort them there with their trolley to start unloading, saving a scrum of shoppers trying to get there first 🤣

Lucinda7 · 20/05/2024 22:54

I was in Morrison's today and was second in the queue. They opened a new till and the cashier asked the person in front of me if they would like to move across. I thought at the time how fair and sensible that was.

SkiingIsHeaven · 20/05/2024 23:00

I don't move because it doesn't matter which queue I'm in, it will always be the worst one or the one where someone in front will need to ring the bell for attention.

Mama2many73 · 20/05/2024 23:01

I've complained officially at several stores for this happening. Staff should be trained to say no, that lady/gentleman....is next , or they should come to the queue and let you know to come into the line before they open it.
One assistant said just tell them but I don't think its my job, it should be staff policy, and you never know what response you'll get!