To be annoyed at the Aldi staff

[Outandabout43]

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.

If it delays me being served i would complain if not it is none of my business

🤣I bet you’re the sort of person who snaps your fingers at waiters!

That ridiculous comment probably says more about you than them

Ours are fabulous!

Conversley I like it because there isn't a huge number of ranges. Usually just Aldi''s which is good for most things. Obviously I recognise them all now and know what I like.

Not all of them. There are some lovely staff in my local Aldi. But I do agree that many rudely seem to chat to each when they're serving you - more so than in other supermarkets.

They work very hard for minimum wage.

And have to be polite to customers like you.

It is rude if they are putting your stuff through the tills but talking to someone else. Doing their job properly should include acknowledging you as a customer and giving you their attention. That doesn't mean being deferential - it's just common courtesy. In the same way, the customer shouldn't be chatting on their phone and trying to pack or pay at the same time.

That’s true lol

Most till staff are fine, bar a bloke in Asda who I avoid assiduously because he literally gives you quiz questions, absolutely no idea why, I was taken aback then he started again when I was in there again with my DH. One time, he wished me a happy new year and I asked him if he thought everyone celebrated January 1st.

In Tesco one day, the till lady was banging on at length about doing a customer survey and pointing out various things on the receipt to a customer in front, very patronising manner, maybe because the customer was older? I may have rolled my eyes because she didn’t do it to me. For several weeks running, I noticed this in Tesco, the staff must have been instructed to request this of customers.

What's wrong with wishing someone a happy New Year? I don't celebrate it in any way (don't even stay up till midnight on NYE) but it doesn't bother me in the slightest if someone says Happy New Year to me.

This is because they don’t have a manager or line runner floating about the check outs like supermarkets like Tesco etc do. They need to communicate like this because they have no other choice.

Maybe OP can borrow their headset to do it? 😉

One time, he wished me a happy new year and I asked him if he thought everyone celebrated January 1st.

Why would you do this? I don’t get it

I nearly started a thread about this, theres a particular woman in the Aldi near us who very loudly keeps shouting into her headset that she's sick of being offered or asked to do extra hours because it will reduce her benefits. She goes on and on about it, this has been like this several times, either she is walking round the shop floor having this conversation or sat at the till, last time she was sat at the till

Im amazed she isnt pulled up on it, its so unprofessional and disrespectful to the customers, I would have thought being a German company (I think they're German) they're quite hot on protocol with how staff should act.

I find Tesco the worst for this. They have lots of people who have worked there for years and seem to treat it like some kind of social club 🤣 they stand around chatting in gaggles in the aisles, and get really put out if you need to get past them with a trolly or get to the shelves they’re blocking!

I don’t actually mind people chatting, but it is really confusing when people switch between talking to you and talking to people on a headset, and then look at you as if you’re a complete weirdo when you don’t realise they aren’t talking to you any more!

So I should wish everyone a happy new Chinese/Jewish year or Eid Mubarak? I don't assume people's preferences or religion/ethnicity, I just keep my mouth shut.

I didn't say anyone SHOULD wish anyone anything. But seeing as it's Jan 1st for everyone and it's not a religious festival, there's no reason why anybody should take offence. Unless they really love taking offence...

I think staff calling to each other makes for a friendly atmosphere, they also chat to customers here and being a small town, they will say hello if you bump into them eg at the pub

When Aldi and Lidl first opened in this country. It was about a quick, cheap service. In grab your stuff, pay and out.
It wasn't the place to go for a long chat with the staff. Plenty of other supermarkets to choose from if you don't like it at Aldi.
Retail is a shit job and as you can see from this thread so many entitled customers. I will never go back to retail.
As long as they scan my shopping and I can pay don't care what they're doing. If you want a chat call your mates don't expect it from supermarket staff.

Agree.

I also don't like the chatting on headsets. I would feel so rude if I attempted to get through a transaction whilst also on the phone!

I once worked in a cafe where we had chairs at our stations we could use when we had non-busy moments. There were so many complaints from customers that we should always be standing that eventually the management took the chairs away. I reckon those customers are on here!

Totally agree, it’s such bad manners. It’s not just Aldi, but many other supermarkets too. When I’m at the checkout I try to ask them a question about one of my purchases - just to try and engage them.

Not experienced this at aldi but I have at our local coop!

Not always! Ours are lovely!!