As retail workers, we can all relate to similar struggles and pet peeves at work, such as dealing with irate customers, putting back together a destroyed display, feeling crazy during a rush period, and other struggles. I work at Market Basket, a grocery store chain in east Texas and western Louisiana. I work as a cashier and a courtesy booth operator, which is where you do money orders and cash checks. There are several struggles and pet peeves, which I will definitely outline.
1. "Are you open?"
No, I'm just standing here with a light on behind a register for no reason at all. If the worker's light is off, they walk off from their register, pull their till out, put up a sign, or block the lane, they're not open.
2. When Someone Approaches Your Counter and Puts Their Stuff Down while You're Cleaning
Can you not see that I'm cleaning my counter? It could be from a spill or leak. Putting your wet and/or leaking items down right in my way really isn't helping.
3. Not Reading Things
This goes for price tags, sale signs, and fine print in sales papers. Don't get upset with me if your item doesn't come off because you failed to read that you must have a $10 purchase to get the sale price.
4. Not Putting it Back where it Belongs
If you decide you don't want something, for the love of God, put it back where you got it. It gets really annoying when a frozen lasagna is left on the bath soap aisle, or an entire warmed roast is left in the freezer with the ice cream.
5. Ignoring Someone Speaking to You
Unless you are deaf, mute, blind, or have social anxiety, there shouldn't be any reason you can't respond to a worker's greeting or questions. We are supposed to be friendly to customers, not grouchy and flaky. It doesn't help when the customer ignores us.
6. Telling Us How to/How Not to do Our Jobs
I know how to scan an item and total up a purchase. Yes, I am counting (and so is the register screen on my side) how many times I'm scanning your 80 jars of icing. Don't remind me to count it. Also, our store requires us to meet a scan time of items per minute. Don't tell me to slow down. I know what I'm doing. Don't get angry at the new hire if they need help doing something.
7. Throwing Money
I have my hand out. That means hand the money to me, don't throw it. I'm not a stripper. Don't put it on the other side of the counter to where I can't reach it, either. Unless you have an injury, disability, or condition to where you need help with your money counting, there's no reason you should be throwing your money at the cashier.
8. Getting Angry at Prices We Can't Control
I get it, things are expensive. That doesn't mean you should get angry at a worker for how much something costs. We don't gather on price committees to decide how much bread and cheese and other things cost.
9. Frustration with How Many Cashiers are Open
Yes, it is extremely busy. We are going as fast as we can. We have everyone in the store who can use a register up front checking. Don't get angry if we are short staffed. I understand it is frustrating and inconvenient, but that's life. Sometimes people call in or don't show up, so we don't always get the help we need.
10. Watching Us Struggle
I usually have a bagger to help me bag your $200 load of groceries. Sometimes, they are busy doing other aspects of their job, helping someone else, or slacking off. I don't always have the help I need, so instead of standing there and spectating, I would appreciate it if you helped me bag your stuff. This is especially true when it's extremely busy in the store.
These are some of the pet peeves from retail workers. I'm sure I didn't get all of them. If you're a retail worker, what's one of your pet peeves?
