Next time you are at the store, think about the person behind the check out. If you've ever been a cashier, you will be able to relate to the below.
"I forgot my wallet."
Seriously? You came into the store and didn't bother to double check that you had your wallet? And then they proceed to say, "Let me just run to the car quick and get it," while making a mad dash outside that seemingly takes forever. And you're just waiting there like:
"Are you having fun yet?"
What do you think? Does it look like I'm having fun? I mean, yeah I'm smiling -- but that's just for customer service and to hide the fact that I have to deal with obnoxious people such as yourselves. But for real. Think about it. Would you be having fun if you were me? (Seriously getting literal.)
"Yeah, I just made that today."
Referring to the $100-bill they hand you before you check it to see if it's legit. If the people are going to try and be funny about it, then at least come up with something a bit more original and unique than repeating the same old "joke" that has been used more than a million times in cashier history.
"These came up as the two for one, right?"
Yes. It came up as that. I totally know what I am doing. If you don't believe me, then I can print out the receipt and show it to you. And if you're going to get crabby with me and start complaining about how it doesn't seem to come up as that, then I'm going to try really hard not to claw my eyes out.
"If it doesn't scan, then it's free right?"
Ha, ha. You are so funny. I've only heard that one over a thousand times in the past three hours. Why don't you listen to me pretend to laugh at your annoyingly over-used joke.
When the customer doesn't know how to use the credit card machine and stands there looking confused.
"Ma'am, I can actually swipe that for you." I feel really bad, but for some reason this annoys me terribly. Maybe because it happens so frequently and you would think that people would learn.
When a customer gives you the exact amount of change right after you put it in the drawer
That instant sensation of feeling like a horrible person for moving too quickly that you missed getting the exact amount of change from the customer who is now standing there like a deer in headlights with their hand out -- waiting. And then you feel sort of awful at the same time.
"It's so beautiful outside!"
You think I don't know that? I was planning on spending the day at the beach, or going to the park with a couple of my friends -- heck, a road trip might have been nice. But instead, I have to work -- which is completely fine because I'm making good bank. However, you don't have to remind me of how gorgeous it is outside and how I'm missing it because I'm on a shift. That only makes it worse.
"Where is the bathroom?"
For me personally, I get this one a lot. As soon as someone walks into the store, their first question before even scoping the bathroom out, is to merely ask where they are. I mean, there is a giant sign in the store that says, "Restrooms," and you can't miss it. I guess I'm just biased to this annoyance because I've dealt with it on a daily basis, now.
Having insanely sore feet.
And then it seems as though everything else is starting to hurt. Standing at a cash register for eight hours can really do a number on the feet -- even when they put a mat underneath it to relieve some of the pain. You just have to smile and bare the pain, hoping that the shift will go by a lot quicker than you anticipated.
There is five minutes left of your shift and you get a million items from a customer.
One of the worst feelings in the world is itching to leave when your shift is over, but seeing a large family of six in the distance near aisle five -- and they are heading for your check-out line. There is no escaping and the irritation level increases as they dump their items on your counter.
Taking damp money from a customer after they sweated all over it.
One word: disgusting. Never mind the fact that cashiers spend their whole shift touching dirty money that comes from god knows where -- but that people make it a more repulsive experience, by handing over sweat drenched dollar bills or sneezing all over it. Where is that hand sanitizer?
I don't mind being a cashier -- and at times, I honestly do like it. I get to meet a wide variety of unique and interesting individuals from across the country, and even out of the country. I have had some fun and exciting conversations that kept me sane during my shift, and there have been friendly people. However, a job doesn't come without it's downfalls and weird moments -- and cashier is one of the main jobs in that department.
