Give the check out assistant a medal and a promotion

Ah, got it now j08. The link wasn't working at work for some reason (neither was I - I was browsing Gransnet). I am ordering the recommended product online right now, whilst simultaneously eating, scratting, sneezing, picking and texting. I do hope no gransnetter is offended by my callous disregard while all this is going on.

If she'd been my daughter.......

that grin was to maggiemaybe

The checkout girl who served me in Tesco yesterday deserves a medal.
I had vouchers worth about £12 but needed to spend £80 to redeem them so did my normal shop plus a few extras to reach the target. The girl at the checkout pointed out I was about £1.20 short and suggested a special offer in the dog food section for £2 as I had quite a few doggy items in my trolley.

The man in the queue next to me was huffing and puffing and 'Oh For God Sakesing' as I went off in search of the bargain.

As I left I heard her cheerfully say, 'So sorry to have kept you waiting, sir'

Brownie points for being so helpful

I like it when they say " sorry to have you waiting "

Ooh -J08, I'm crushed

They say it by rote in our local Asda - even if there's been no one ahead of you...

bluebell (I hadn't read your post.)

Working people have busy lives these days. Perhaps they just don't have time for what we might think of as niceties. It might have been a work phone call.

J0 you don't really believe that do you - she had time to go and complain anyway!!

Even a work call doesn't have to be answered instantly. She could have been on the loo for all the caller knew.

And she could have called back a few minutes later when she got outside and was not doing an exchange with another human being.

Glaiket besom.

Basically there are those of us who think check out staff are human beings worthy of respect and then there are a few misguided souls who don't.

I am shocked , for once we are in agreement , Blubell .

That is just not fair bluebell! That is horrible.

Of course I think the checkout operator was human.I just think she has a job she is taking a wage for and so long as no company policy is contravened, she should do it.

How would you like it, jings? Bet you wouldn't like being ignored as if you weren't even there, as if you were of no more account than an inanimate object, while you were trying to do your job – which includes being polite to customers and expecting them to be polite to you.

And, being a human being, a social animal, it probably makes a great deal of difference to the bearability of your job, which is hardly a thrilling one, if the people who stream past you during your shift have a smile for you and possibly even a friendly word or two.

Bluebell is right. Checkout assistants are not automata or slaves to be treated with disdain.

Anyway, I'm glad to see that the majority vote, by a large margin, is with the checkout woman, not just on GN, but throughout the land.

I'd probably find her very funny. I would think "daft cow".

But surely it isn't usual? Most customers are courteous, and I would have thought the checkout assistant could have put it down to experience instead of causing a scene.

I have worked as a checkout operator myself in the past - my only aim (and the job for which I was paid) was to put the customer's items through, ask for the final total and conclude the transaction. That was before the advent of mobile phones, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't have bothered me if a customer didn't exchange chit-chat with me.

Perhaps the assistant would be more comfortable working in Boots, where her customers would be happy to talk to her about their requirements...

Have you shopped in Boots lately Ana ? It's hard enough to find an assistant at all - one who could be bothered to talk to you, or had any knowledge of their merchandise would be little short of a miracle.

You're jolly lucky, Ana, if you have the impression that most customers are courteous!

I think a small amount of social /human face to face positive interaction at the checkout is healthier that non-communication!

I don't remember ever hearing a customer be rude to an assistant.

I mean at a checkout.

It may be healthier, but is it compulsory? Should non-communication be forbidden?

The assistants in my local Boots are very helpful, Deeda. If there's no one at the makeup/electrical/etc. counter then the checkout assistants will find someone to help you. I admit it isn't a very large branch, but that's my experience.