When you walk into a store the first thing you usually see is the register area which is run by cashiers. Although being a cashier appears to be an easy job, it can be quite tedious dealing with all sorts of customers and running into numerous problems.

As a cashier with a few years of experience under my belt, I have dealt with many customers. To the sweet customers who make my job enjoyable, thank you, and to those who aren't so pleasant, no worries, but here is some advice that all customers should take into consideration to guarantee a pleasurable shopping experience.

Please stop asking if I am open

If I am standing at my register with my light on, then yes I am open. I don't just stand at my register to look pretty and take up space.

Please empty your basket

As rude as it seems, there are customers that do place their shopping basket on the counter without emptying it. As a cashier, it is my job to help you check out but it is greatly appreciated when customers help out by emptying their baskets rather than leaving me to do all the work. I find it utterly rude when customers just leave the basket with everything inside and then stand around waiting.

Please listen when I say "Wait for the blue lights"

After I have finished ringing up your sale and begin to prepare the card machine for you, please listen to what I have to say. The machine requires for the blue lights to be flashing before a card is inserted or swiped. Nothing is more irritating when I tell a customer to wait for the blue lights to which they acknowledge but proceed to swipe/insert their card anyway, then get upset that the machine wasn't ready.

Please stop complaining about items you bring up with no price

If you bring up an item that has no SKU or price on it don't complain that we have to take the time to find the SKU for that item. You knew the item had no price on it when you grabbed it. Yes we get that price tags will occasionally fall off, or that the item was never in fact priced but there is no need to make a big deal over how long it takes to find what we need when you could have grabbed an item that was actually ticketed in the first place.

Please stop sneaking into my line when my light is turned off

If I have turned my light off then please don't sneak into my line. I have turned my light off for a reason, to either go on break or to go home. It's a little fustrating when my break or attempt to leave work is delayed.

Please put your phone down

Being on the phone during a transaction is just plain old rude. Put the phone down for a few minutes and interact with your cashier. When I am giving your total, I don't want to have to repeat myself because you were on the phone talking about your dinner plans.

Please stop blurting out the price of an item with no ticket

"It's 50 cents" Yes, I know the item is 50 cents however I still need a SKU that I can put in the computer. Blurting out the price of the item actually isn't very helpful.

Please stop with the "Must be free" line when an item doesn't scan

I've heard it plenty of times and it actually doesn't get any funnier every time I hear it either. Just save your breath with this one.

Hopefully, these words of advice will become of help and create a better experience for both the customer and cashier!