# 10 Items Or Less Work Around **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 1, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921 "2009-05-01T02:03:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/21 "2009-05-02T02:47:40Z")
> [@Sound Mind](#): > > Once my husband and I were at a very busy grocery store with a handbasket containing about 15 items. > > He ( being one that takes rules very seriously ) got in one of the regular lines behind 4 completely full shopping carts. I suggested that we get another basket, split the groceries, and both check out at the express line. > > He resisted, insisting that it would be “cheating”, but I finally got him to see it my way after he realized how slowly the regular lines were moving. > > But he insisted that we pretend we didn’t know each other while we were in the express line and when I started talking to him I swear he got nervous and broke out in a cold sweat. This is hilarious. I am also a rule follower, so I can relate to your husband! ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/22 "2009-05-02T12:20:05Z")
Whenever I get caught behind someone with more than 10 or 15 items in the express lane, I count the number of items they have as they are on the counter, and again as the cashier scans them. After the scanning is finished, I say very loudly “You know, they say 50% of people can’t read or count. And they are all in the express lane.” I’ve gotton many laughs doing thatl. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/23 "2009-05-02T13:51:25Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > The lady looks at her and says “I got five kids with me, just ring up ten items for each kid and I’ll pay seperately.” As a teacher, I see this as a classic example of how parent educate their own children. That mother just taught her kids, “Rules have loopholes and no matter how ridiculous they are, you can and should feel free to exploit them.” I mean, I have no problem if the lady has…12 items or something and there is no line, but that is ridiculous! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/24 "2009-05-02T15:22:38Z")
> [@Cyberhwk](#): > > I’d have made her do it. I’d have told her to fuck right off. I’m really not a “rules must be followed because they’re rules !” kind of guy, but that type of fuck-everyone-else-I’m-ME! attitude pushes my buttons something fierce. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/25 "2009-05-02T15:22:40Z")
The “less” when it should so clearly be “fewer” always enrages me. It makes me so angry that I want to… to… oh, never mind. The lithium is kicking in now…TRM, Grammar Nazi. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/26 "2009-05-02T15:27:25Z")
A few times I have been behind people with way too many items and if other people start getting antsy I just say something like, “I’ve checked their trolley and they only have 4 items. Food items, drink items, cleaning items and baby items.” People just laugh and let it go. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/27 "2009-05-02T15:38:03Z")
I find it interesting that in Australia, they apparently call them “trolleys.” In the USA, we generally call them “carts.” How about other nations? ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/28 "2009-05-02T16:48:21Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I find it interesting that in Australia, they apparently call them “trolleys.” In the USA, we generally call them “carts.” How about other nations? In the UK they are usually called, "those fucking wire things with at least one wonky wheel " ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/29 "2009-05-02T17:27:49Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > The “less” when it should so clearly be “fewer” always enrages me. It makes me so angry that I want to.. to… oh, never mind. The lithium is kicking in now…TRM, Grammar Nazi. That used to bother me until some people on this board rationalized the language as “10 items or less _than that amount of shopping_.” It’s still a bit irksome, but my blood pressure has gone down a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/30 "2009-05-02T18:01:28Z")
Fewer = 2 syllables Less = 1 syllable they mean almost exactly the same thing. how could anyone speaking english get worked up over this? ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/31 "2009-05-02T18:12:00Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > Fewer = 2 syllables > Less = 1 syllable > they mean almost exactly the same thing. how could anyone speaking english get worked up over this? The same rules-oriented people who adhere the checkout lane rules probably adhere to grammar rules similarly. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/32 "2009-05-02T18:20:33Z")
> [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > Once I went through the express line when I counted my 12 little cans of cat food as one item (21 items). The cashier told me never to do that again so I haven’t, I learned my lesson. That should not be a problem – a good cashier would ring up one of them, then punch the buttons to indicate 11 more of them. So at most, it should count as 2 items. Of course, a lazy or dumb cashier would just ring each one up separately. But that’s not your fault. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/33 "2009-05-02T18:32:30Z")
They’ve quit doing express lines around here. I can only assume it’s because no one ever gave them a whit of reverence. Too bad, because almost all my trips to the grocery store are less than 15 items. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/34 "2009-05-02T19:10:20Z")
> [@kenner116](#): > > There should be an extra charge for having too many items. This would be automatically handled by the computer and would make enforcement much easier. There could be a notice underneath the item limit sign, e.g. “10 items or less, 20 cent fee for every item over limit”. 50 cent fee for every item over the limit multiplied by the number of people in line behind you at the end of your transaction. The multiplier will be credited toward the transactions of each of the people behind you. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/35 "2009-05-02T19:27:11Z")
> [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > Many times I’ve let people with only 1 or 2 items get in front of me on the line when I have 9 or 10. I remember I was in a regular line with one item, and the lady in front of me had a whole cartful and kept saying “Please go ahead of me I feel so bad if you wait.” I finally told her “Thanks but it’s 100º outside and I don’t have air conditioning at home, I don’t mind waiting in here.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/36 "2009-05-02T19:36:08Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > That should not be a problem – a good cashier would ring up one of them, then punch the buttons to indicate 11 more of them. So at most, it should count as 2 items. > > Of course, a lazy or dumb cashier would just ring each one up separately. But that’s not your fault. I just wanted to point out that some cashiers will do that because they have been told to, if the 12 cans of cat food are different varieties. A lot of re-ordering is done automatically, so if the cashier rings up 12 veal-flavored cat food, the computer thinks stock is low and re-orders it, despite the fact that the customer may have purchased 1 veal, 5 chicken, and 6 duck a l’Orange. Not a huge deal, to be sure, but I mention that because when I was a cashier many moons ago I was told to make sure everything was rung up accurately for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/37 "2009-05-02T22:40:24Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > Fewer = 2 syllables > Less = 1 syllable > they mean almost exactly the same thing. how could anyone speaking english get worked up over this? Six = 1 syllable Seven = two syllables They are almost equal. So why would you care if I gave you the wrong dosage of a critical medication? Precision counts. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/38 "2009-05-02T23:29:31Z")
When I was 18 I worked as a cashier. It’s a very boring job and sometimes I would forget if I was in an express lane or not. This got me in trouble once, when I had a lady with a huge shopping cart full of stuff in my (express) lane. Not really paying attention I started ringing her up, and the person behind her in line absolutely went ballistic. Mostly at her, but he scolded me too for letting her get in the line (OK I was guilty, but I didn’t really give enough of a shit about that job to care). She happened to have a foreign accent (maybe Eastern European) and when he was going on his tirade he made the remark, “This isn’t Bumblefuckistan or wherever you’re from, we have **rules** in this country! RULES!” They got into a bit of a shouting match and I just kept ringing her up, by the time I was done they had cooled off enough and went their separate ways without security having to get involved. It was pretty uncomfortable though. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/39 "2009-05-02T23:40:20Z")
About 20 years ago when I was a cashier at a grocery store, I was working at an express lane. It was the store’s policy that employees buying their lunches could budge the line in the express lane to get their food quickly. I was ringing up a co-worker’s lunch when a guy a couple of people back in the line starts grumbling and bitching about this, being really nasty. I peer down and see… it’s my brother’s godfather, one of my dad’s best friends. I decide to say nothing and wait until he sees it’s me. He was very :o when he realized that he had just very rudely slagged off on his best friend’s kid, and sheepishly asked me not to tell my dad. I told my dad anyway. He laughed and rolled his eyes because he knows his friend is a jerk. I hope Uncle Paulie thought twice about being an ass to a cashier after that. ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921/40 "2009-05-03T04:44:17Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Of course, a lazy or dumb cashier would just ring each one up separately. But that’s not your fault. Sure… Except that if you’d bothered to read the rest of the thread, you’d see that there are plenty of reasons why it’s a problem. (Not enough volume to ring by quantity, same price but different types, still has to be bagged, et cetera.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/10-items-or-less-work-around/494921.md?page=3)