Summer jobs can be rough, especially if you’re stuck working retail. This summer I worked at a grocery store as a cashier and I never want to go back. Between rude customers and those who think they’re being funny, you really just want to bang your head against a wall. So, because everyone should want to be a decent human being, here are some things you should stop saying to grocery store cashiers:
- “Oh, I forgot something. I’ll be right back!”
The best part about this one is, it only happens AFTER they’ve loaded all their groceries on the belt and you’re half-way through scanning the items. You’ll probably see them in 10 minutes, rushing past a line of annoyed customers to get back to the front so they can finally check out.
- “Oh it’s not scanning? Guess that means it’s free!”
Seriously, stop telling this joke. It wasn’t funny the first time I heard it, and it’s not funny the one hundred other times I hear it after that.
- “Are you old enough to sell me alcohol?”
YES. I realize I look 16, but I promise they wouldn’t have hired me to be a cashier if I couldn’t scan your alcohol. Also, why do you feel the need to tell me how old I look?
- “Can I use *insert grocery store that isn’t the one you’re at’s name*’s card? They’re the same company, right?”
Please do not be this person. If you are not in Food Lion, please don’t try to hand me their card. It doesn’t work that way.
- “Can I use this coupon even though it’s expired?”
Hm, I wonder what the word expired means?
- “I know this sale was last week, but I couldn’t come in so can I still get the discount?”
Right, of course. Let me just make an exception for you, because clearly that’s how the system is supposed to work. It’s not like the sale is over or anything.
- “Can you double bag everything?”
Yes, certainly. Let me just double bag your chips and other light items. I’m sure they’re heavy enough to make the bag rip. Please. Stop. Wasting. Bags.
- “Are you open?” (when the sign above my register is clearly off)
Please look at my light. If it is off, I am closed. And I am most likely either about to go on break or about to leave for the day. I don’t want to help you, because as soon as other people see me checking you out, they’ll come to my line, too and I’ll be here for another half hour.
- “I don’t believe you. I want to speak to the manager.”
Yes, why don’t I call over my manager so they can tell you the EXACT same thing I just did. Not like that’s a waste of anybody’s time.
- “This other store I shop at has better prices than this one.”
And you’re shopping here and not there, because?