Cashier Commentary

[lallen]

Happy holidays! I want to start this mini-rant by saying that it’s been a great holiday so far, and I hope everyone has had just the right amount of whatever it is that makes you smile. West Seattle holidays rock!

But. One question: why do many of the cashiers around here feel like it’s okay to comment on your purchases? By this I mean pick up something they’re scanning, frown at it, say something like, “This is really expensive!” or “I wouldn’t eat this!” and give you a dirty look as they bag it. If I had a dollar for every “Wow, this is pricey!” I’ve heard over this holiday month I could buy something actually pricey instead of that apparently luxurious $12 bottle of vanilla extract that I was just chided for.

Is it a local custom or something? I’ve lived all over the country and I’ve never had this happen before. I don’t buy extravagant things; it’s the holidays and sometimes you need unusual ingredients for special foods, but it’s not like I’m buying gold bananas or anything. And even if I were buying something extravagant, I don’t feel like cashiers should make derogatory comments. Isn’t that sort of bad company policy? Isn’t it sort of, well, rude?

I mean, I don’t go over to my friends’ houses and look at the price tags on their groceries and pass judgment about them. That would be rude and intrusive and really gross. So why do perfect strangers feel like it’s okay?

I truly enjoy chatting with cashiers and baristas and pretty much anyone I interact with during my day (I’m outgoing and friendly, and always remember folks I interact with regularly) but I feel like negative commentary about my purchasing choices is another animal entirely.

What gives?

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[PangolinPie]

Wow, I’ve never had this happen. I don’t know where you’re shopping, but at the Safeway and QFC where we buy groceries, the cashiers are always friendly (or at least, not unfriendly). I can’t remember having had any negative commentary on anything I’ve purchased in the 6 years I’ve lived in WS. I suppose they may have remarked if I bought something unusual, but not in any sort of accusatory or judgmental way.

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[935]

0824 – 12/30

Hey lallen- where ya shopping? so I can know where NOT to go?
My typical spot is the big red S at Cali and Admiral. used to go to the one by Alaska and 42 but it got too janky….
always received well by checkers – never had anyone suspect my purchases….except ask of a bottle of bourbon was worth the price….asked in an genuine way – nothing more….

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[bertha]

As a person who serves customers I don’t think anyone meant to be offensive or were being judgmental, although commenting on what you would or would not eat is out of line. It’s the holiday season and cashiers are serving HUNDREDS of people per day. You are required to interact with customers and most enjoy it but it is difficult to repeat the same questions over and over, “how is your day”, “are you ready for the holidays.” Commenting on the cost of an item is not a judgement on whether you should be buying it but just a comment. I’ve had cashiers comment on the cost of an item and I didn’t find it offensive rather it was part of the conversation “yeah, it is pricey but it’s Christmas” or “It’s worth the price.” Unless a cashier is nasty or overcharges me I cut them a lot of slack. They have a really difficult job that is both physically and emotionally draining, dealing with the public is not for the weak!

• This reply was modified 5 years, 3 months ago by bertha.

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[hightide]

Interesting post, lallen. In 20 years I can’t think of a time this has happened to me. I wonder if this happens at Trader Joes?

As for $12 bottles of vanilla extract, it sounds like you need to visit MetMkt to get a $25 bottle of Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract. :)

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[aa]

It happens to me on a regular basis and it has happened in many places that I’ve lived so I don’t believe it is a ‘Seattle thing’. I don’t like it and I don’t respond. Personally, what bugs me more is when they stop to look over the cover of a magazine I am buying.
And an even larger rant for Starbucks employees who ask me what my plans are for the day! That has to be company line because it happens all the time. Why on earth would I want to share my plans with a complete stranger? This is the best advise I ever received when working with customers-Be personable without getting personal.

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[newnative]

Bertha, there were other comments that she shared though. “I wouldn’t eat this” or frowning and commenting on the price is bad business.
I haven’t had this kind of treatment since I moved here (9+ years) but it used to happen to me in Tucson. I was ridiculed for buying natural peanut butter. She actually said, “what’s the difference, it’s peanut butter!” Not realizing there is a big difference and it was my purchase and their product. Could you imagine that happening in a restaurant, “you want the Merlot?! I couldn’t afford that!”

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[sam-c]

Yes, this has happened to me before, at a centrally-located West Seattle grocery store. (not a big chain, but a chain). it was many years ago. It was a young-ish cashier, I was a naive cook, trying out some new recipes…. went to the grocery store with a list, and didn’t deviate as I was still learning. Wanted to skip this high priced item after I saw the cost, but went with it anyway. The young cashier rang up the fingerling potatoes, presumably shocked by the high price for … potatoes, and said “wow! hope they’re good!” At the time it pissed me and my spouse off, but now it’s one of the funny stories we share, many years later. lallen, hopefully you can let it go, so it doesn’t get to you much longer. or maybe avoid certain cashiers if you need to. Yes, the price of vanilla is painful right now!!

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[littlebrowndog]

Customer service is really hard work and it’s probably difficult sometimes to make friendly yet light comments. I especially enjoy it when the cashier says “Oh, that looks really good!” Or asks, based on things I’m buying, if I’m going to make a particular dish. Recently I was especially appreciative of a comment and offer of assistance from a cashier. My husband has developed a healthy snack preference that is ridiculously expensive because it’s just small servings of 3 veggies and some cheese chunks in a little plastic tray and you pay an exorbitant price for the convenience of it. I had been thinking about buying some little divided containers and just assembling them myself but had been procrastinating. As I was checking out the cashier looked at the expensive little tray and volunteered that she really liked all those ingredients also and that she was going to get her own containers and make some and I said that the little packaged ones were ridiculously expensive and she agreed and asked if I’d like her to show me where to find the little containers. I didn’t take offense, I really appreciated it and it was the impetus to do just that.

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[22blades]

I grew up in & go a lot to Japan where customer service is legendary, so returning to the states, I see a lot of service that’s not even up to par. The first job I had after moving here was a bagger at Safeway. I’ve had fancier jobs before but I always tried my best at the job at hand. The first impression I had of actually living in the U.S. was that everybody was “destined” to be at their dream. “Oh, I’m an actor but I just do this for rent.” “I’m headed for a full ride scholarship but I want a nicer car.” “I’m the next Michael Jordan but need some beer money.”

I’ve been blessed with a great career that I’ve earned. Looking back, my advice? Folks, your entire life is an interview, 24/7. 365. …and be prepared to get lucky. Even as a cashier.

OK, roll the video of my cringeworthy “moments”.

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