A Comprehensive Guide for the Common Fool Shopper
- Do not tell me things about my job. I may look confused at the mango in my hand, but trust me: I know that it is a mango. I don't care how much it costs, I just care about punching in the number on the sticker. If I can't find the sticker, I will have to look up the number on the register. Have some patience, okay? (Fun Fact: The most common PLU number for mangoes is 4051...)
- Don't tell me what a hurry you're in. I'm kind of asinine. When you inform me that you're in a huge hurry, my speed will slowly decrease. Intentionally. I won't say anything about it...but still.
- Don't talk on the phone in my line. I won't talk to you. "Paper or plastic?" No. You'll get what we give you. If you try to multi-task and talk to me and the phone, you may rest assured that I will talk louder than whoever is on the phone. Not obnoxiously loud enough to seem rude, but loud enough that you'll be forced to keep asking the person on the line to repeat themselves.
- Don't answer your phone in my line. Seriously? See #3.
- Smile. The first thing I do when you step up to my register is smile. I like it when you smile back. It makes me feel important, and, believe it or not, I am a rather crucial step to you leaving with the ingredients you need to make your lemon meringue pie. I'm very grateful to you for coming through my line; I like people, and I show it. So please smile, and make me feel good about helping you.
- Feel free to call me by name. I have a nametag, and I secretly love it when people notice it.
- Strike up conversation. Guess what? I am interested. I love people; I love hearing their opinions and thoughts and finding out what makes them tick. I'll talk to you, too. It'll be fun!
Okay. I know it seems like it, but I'm not a horrible person. I just like common courtesy and respect, y'know? You'd be probably very surprised by how much of that you don't get as a cashier. I ask for two to three minutes to help you out of the store, that's it. Put your phone away and, if you must plaster it on, plaster on a smile. If you're having a genuinely bad day and simply can't, don't take it on me.
Like, the other day, I had stepped over to another register to discuss a schedule change with somebody and to buy a water. While I was away, a gentleman came up to my register. He waited no more than 15 seconds, I know. When I got to the register and smiled and greeted him, he kinda just stared. I was like "...okay..." and finished ringing up his items and sacked them. I asked him if he had his discount card with him.
Me: Do you have your shopper card today?
Guy: No, but I'm sure you do.
Me: Well, yes, I do have mine, but I'm afraid I can't let customers use it.
Guy: And why's that?
Me: Company policy. (gestures at sign about cards and policy and stuff) I can look up your card by phone number?
Guy: I don't have time for that. First, I had to wait for you to come over here and now you're telling me I can't use your card?
Me: Yes, I'm sorry.
Guy: That's bullsh*t. Total bullsh*t.
Said guy angrily storms over to customer service. Apparently, he had time to fill out the form for a new card and get it registered. Then he came back and yelled at me about it again, shoved his cart pretty hard into the middle of the lobby (not walked with it, shoved it on it's own...) and stormed out.
Common. Courtesy.
Overall, I love my job, by the way. Just sayin'.
Okay. So. I have this fun idea. Let me know what you think, okay? I want to start doing short interviews with random people. I'm thinking maybe people in nursing homes who don't really have family. Then posting the interviews here. Sound good? Lemme know.
2 comments:
Love the idea about interviews from nursing homes. I love it when old people talk. It's just awesome.
And yes. People can be rude. I know I've definitely had my off days, but I like being nice to people at the cashiers. :)
My mom pointed out that in this day and age, thanks to the openness created by hiding behind a computer screen, some people don't know how to be polite or how to use common courtesy anymore. It's a sad fact of life, but I'll be sure to follow your rules if I ever happen to see you working at the register. :)
And I would love to hear from the folks at nursing homes! I feel that it would be a good experience for all involved (readers included).
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