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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be annoyed at the Aldi staff

143 replies

Outandabout43 · 02/03/2026 19:26

I've noticed in the last few months that whenever I go to Aldi the checkout staff are always chatting to colleagues over their headset. Ive noticed it in a lot of different Aldis that I have been to. I wouldn't mind so much if the conversation was in regards to the store / work, but more often then not its about plans for the weekend etc. I'm not saying its all staff as some really are friendly and lovely, but am i wrong to think the ones that do are rather rude? It really gets my back up, the same as when the customer is having a phone conversation when being served.

OP posts:
PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 02/03/2026 22:33

I think it was an Aldi I was in when the cashier was talking but I couldn't catch what she was saying, so I said 'Sorry, what was that?'. She carried on muttering and just tapped her headset! I mean I don't want a full conversation with staff, but it was so comically rude the way she didn't even pause her conversation to tell me she wasn't talking to me!

CaptainMyCaptain · 02/03/2026 22:33

Coldtoots · 02/03/2026 19:28

Lidl and Aldi…. Always appalling staff.

I've always found them to he helpful at my local stores. You can't generalise about all the staff of two big chains just because you have found a few individuals you think aren't pulling their weight.

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:34

Now I do quite like Aldi - (but am starting to prefer Lidl,) but I have to agree with you @Outandabout43 It's not ALL the staff (and I don't think you or anyone else has said that) but it is some of them. In my experience it is the younger ones (under 35,) who do it. It does happen occasionally at Lidl too.

Why do they even have these bloody head sets on?! If they need to know the price of something or have a query, then fair enough, put the headset on THEN to call someone, but why are they serving customers with it on, and jibber jabbering to their colleagues in other parts of the store WHILE THEY ARE SERVING A CUSTOMER? And no it isn't always about work, or their products.

I have also been popping my items into my trolley (after the checkout operator has scanned them) and they have started speaking, and I'm like 'sorry what?' and they just shake their head and carry on speaking to their bloody colleague.

It is rude and unprofessional, and I have only seen it done on Aldi, or Lidl, oh, and a couple of times in Iceland. You are on a checkout serving the public, and being paid to do so, stop chatting to yer fecking mates! Hmm

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:36

Who cares

Theyre in a crappy minimum wage job let them have a natter

The only thing that others me is I think they’re talking to me!

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:36

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 02/03/2026 22:33

I think it was an Aldi I was in when the cashier was talking but I couldn't catch what she was saying, so I said 'Sorry, what was that?'. She carried on muttering and just tapped her headset! I mean I don't want a full conversation with staff, but it was so comically rude the way she didn't even pause her conversation to tell me she wasn't talking to me!

Yes! This! ^

This has happened to me a number of times. Mostly in Aldi, several times in Lidl.

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:38

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:36

Who cares

Theyre in a crappy minimum wage job let them have a natter

The only thing that others me is I think they’re talking to me!

Are you having a laff?!

A LOT of people are in minimum pay jobs serving the public, but they don't jibber jabber to their mates WHILE THEY ARE SERVING A CUSTOMER. (Whilst virtually completely ignoring the customer!)

Also, Aldi workers are NOT on minimum pay! They get paid more than that!

.

CurlewKate · 02/03/2026 22:41

WiseMoose · 02/03/2026 22:24

They are supposed to be giving their attention to the customer.

What sort of attention do you want? I want swift and efficient checking out. I don’t mind what they’re doing at the same time. It’s a shit, hard, minimum wage job. If having a chat makes it more bearable then great.

ThisSunnyBee · 02/03/2026 22:41

Coldtoots · 02/03/2026 19:28

Lidl and Aldi…. Always appalling staff.

Untrue

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:41

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:38

Are you having a laff?!

A LOT of people are in minimum pay jobs serving the public, but they don't jibber jabber to their mates WHILE THEY ARE SERVING A CUSTOMER. (Whilst virtually completely ignoring the customer!)

Also, Aldi workers are NOT on minimum pay! They get paid more than that!

.

Edited

Meh, I’m a chatterbox but I don’t need it as part of my supermarket experience. As long as people are on the tills and the self checkout, and some in the aisles who can answers my queries, I don’t really care.

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:43

CurlewKate · 02/03/2026 22:41

What sort of attention do you want? I want swift and efficient checking out. I don’t mind what they’re doing at the same time. It’s a shit, hard, minimum wage job. If having a chat makes it more bearable then great.

Again, they are NOT on minimum pay, nor is it a 'shit,' and 'hard' job! 🙄

And why on EARTH do you think it's reasonable for someone in a customer serving role to ignore the customer THEY ARE SERVING, whilst they chat about last night's Love Island to their mates over the headset?!

Have a word with yourself!!!

.

Chinsupmeloves · 02/03/2026 22:44

Nope, staff at ours are always professional and friendly xx

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:44

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:43

Again, they are NOT on minimum pay, nor is it a 'shit,' and 'hard' job! 🙄

And why on EARTH do you think it's reasonable for someone in a customer serving role to ignore the customer THEY ARE SERVING, whilst they chat about last night's Love Island to their mates over the headset?!

Have a word with yourself!!!

.

Edited

Fucking hell mate, they’re only scanning snidey mars bars for you, they’re not there to provide existential guidance and support

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:45

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:41

Meh, I’m a chatterbox but I don’t need it as part of my supermarket experience. As long as people are on the tills and the self checkout, and some in the aisles who can answers my queries, I don’t really care.

Bully for you. Some people DO care, as this thread clearly illustrates!

Beachtastic · 02/03/2026 22:45

I was in Aldi recently and went to pick up a punnet of strawberries and the guy stacking the shelves said, "Don't touch that, please."

I'm really obedient, so withdrew my hand immediately and said "Oh! Sorry, but do you mind if I have some strawberries?"

He said "No, we're not allowed to sell them, you're only supposed to look at them."

He'd been talking on his headset to someone in the store room! We had a right laugh when I realised. What a wanker I am 🤡

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:46

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:44

Fucking hell mate, they’re only scanning snidey mars bars for you, they’re not there to provide existential guidance and support

I never said they were that for that MATE. But talking to their pals (about nothing work related!) on the headset and ignoring the customer they are serving is breathtakingly rude. You really think it's OK to do that?! You have a word with yourself too 'mate.'

.

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:47

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:45

Bully for you. Some people DO care, as this thread clearly illustrates!

I think perhaps you care too much.

Is your shopping cheaper if the checkout assistant chats to you?

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:48

🙄

YiddlySquat · 02/03/2026 22:49

BatchCookBabe · 02/03/2026 22:46

I never said they were that for that MATE. But talking to their pals (about nothing work related!) on the headset and ignoring the customer they are serving is breathtakingly rude. You really think it's OK to do that?! You have a word with yourself too 'mate.'

.

Edited

I genuinely don’t care if they do it. There are many things in life that are rude, but an Aldi assistant not giving a Harrods experience ain’t at the top of my list. Mate 🤣

BillieWiper · 02/03/2026 23:10

Are they scanning your shopping swiftly and giving you the right change if you pay in cash? That's all I'd expect really. In fact in Aldi and Lidl I always use the self checkout.

Gingernaut · 02/03/2026 23:13

This is happening in every store I go into now

It's a way of keeping people safe and does away with general announcements for cashiers or cleaners

It is disconcerting when you see someone chatting away to the spuds as she loads them into the bin, but I have got used to it

Viviennemary · 02/03/2026 23:21

I can't stand Aldi and never shop there. I like to buy brands I recognise and get the same thing next week. Not having to search through a jumble of names I've never heard of.

Gall10 · 02/03/2026 23:22

Coldtoots · 02/03/2026 19:28

Lidl and Aldi…. Always appalling staff.

Really??? So what’s your job so we can all pass comment?

jackdunnock · 02/03/2026 23:27

dadtoateen · 02/03/2026 20:15

Do they carry out the job to the required standard? I can only assume so….
does it hamper your time at the till? Doubt it.

No they don't carry out their job to required, part of the job is engaging the customer in a polite and professional manner. They may as well be using their personal mobile phone chatting to a mate whilst serving you.

However, I guess it's compulsory for the staff to use them and a bit unfortunate for the checkout staff that they're the only ones in a customer facing position, and they're getting drawn into the conversation started by back of house staff.

BlueJuniper94 · 02/03/2026 23:32

mumof5five · 02/03/2026 20:23

Superdrug staff are THE WORST for this

Yes, Superdrug staff are bad

Isit2026yet · 02/03/2026 23:32

@Outandabout43 then go to waitrose!

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