You walk into your local supermarket as the noisy, automatic doors greet you with an opening. The smell of pastries from the bakery department glide past your nose and you instantly notice the sea of red shirts and khaki pants of employees ready to serve you. They aren't just cashiers waiting to ring up your groceries or hear your complaints about the spoiled milk you purchased the night before; they are human beings.
As a former cashier of six years, I dealt with the public during many instances, some good and some bad. Customer service is a field that is not always easy to work in as you never know what kind of customers are going to come walking through that door. Some customers are the sweetest people who go out of their way to make you smile, while others can turn that same smile into a frown, accompanied by tears as you break down.
Cashiers do not always get the credit that they deserve. Everyone has a story and everyone has a journey. In my experiences, I have been co-workers with people who came into work cheerful, regardless of the hardships going on at home. Some people go to work as an escape. Just because someone has an apron and name-badge on, and makes minimum wage does not mean they deserve to be shown little to no respect.
In case you don't know what kind of customer you are, follow these suggestions to guarantee yourself a pleasurable shopping experience every time you set foot in the grocery store.
1.) When the cashier asks, "How are you?" don't ignore them.
Let's say you had a bad day at work- chances are you might not be the only one! Cashiers don't just ask how you are doing because it is part of the script in the job description. Some may genuinely want to engage in a conversation. Shifts can be multiple hours long of standing on your feet and a lack of conversation can make that time drag. You don't need to tell them about the wedding you are attending this weekend or your dog's rash, but at least answer them.
2.) Try and help the cashier bag your groceries, especially if it is a huge order.
Food is something everyone needs so you better believe that supermarkets are busy most of the time. When a cashier has a line extending outside of her lane, wrapping around aisle seven, then it would be best to help speed things up. Helping the cashier bag your own groceries, instead of standing there watching her definitely moves things along. If you were at the end of that long line, you would probably like anything that would help to expedite the wait time.
3.) Save your phone calls for when you're either walking around shopping or leaving the store.
4.) If you have a complaint about the price of something, don't yell at the cashier about it.
If you don't think your precious Oscar Mayer turkey bacon should have rung up for $3.99, don't take out your anger on the cashier. We don't make the prices nor do we put up the signs. Simply, voice your concern with the manager. If you want to yell, let them deal with it- just kidding, always be polite.
5.) Don't throw your money on the belt.
See sometimes us women like to get our nails done. Did you ever try picking up loose change off the belt, with acrylic tips?? It is near impossible and I definitely have seen customers laughing at me as I have tried to pick it up. Also, if the money that you threw on the MOVING belt decides to fall under that MOVING belt, then do not blame us.
6.) Don't use the cashier's vulnerability as a way to hit on her.
Okay, maybe if it were Ryan Gosling flirting with us it would be A-okay....but nothing makes a cashier want to quit her job more than being hit on by someone she has no interest in. There's a fine line between slipping her your phone number and pressuring her into agreeing to date you when she is paid to be nice to people. "I'm not interested" should be the end of the conversation.
7.) If your debit card doesn't work or scan, it could actually be your card and not the machine reader.
Sometimes your card may decline or may not be read by the machine. Is it possible that it is the machine's fault? Could be! Is it possible you did not have enough money in your account or your card is scratched? Yep, that may be the case.
8.) FOR THE LOVE OF HUMANITY- USE A DIVIDER!
Dividers were made for a reason: if you do not use one, then your stuff will mix with someone else's stuff....and trust me, that will not be the cashier's problem. If you end up going home without your razors and the guy behind you got them, then looks like you will have to deal with your hairy legs later.
9.) Please spare us the "Oh, then it must be free!" line if something doesn't scan.
Not everyone is perfect. Sometimes the scanning department forgets to tag an item, which out of millions of items, is bound to happen. Nothing in the store is free and we probably heard that joke from the man who we rung up right before you. Save your breath!
10.) Just be kind.
It costs $0.00 to be a decent person so why not sprinkle kindness everywhere. Every cashier has their own story, like I said. Be kind to them always, but more during the holidays. Cashiers and other store employees work overtime and spend long hours and days away from their families to serve you. Just be kind.
Here's to hoping for better cashier-customer relationships...Happy Shopping!
