# 12 items or less... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588 "2011-12-17T22:57:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/61 "2011-12-20T21:47:35Z")
So if all the other lanes have long lines and the express checkout is empty and the cashier motions me over, do you people seriously believe that I should nobly remain in the long line, while the express lane sits unused? ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/62 "2011-12-20T21:55:37Z")
The other day this bitch in front of me had like 30 things in the 12 or less lane. When she realized she wasn’t supposed to be there, she apologized to the cashier, but not to me. WTF! ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/63 "2011-12-20T23:09:23Z")
Let’s be honest - 15 is okay in the twelve or fewer, as long none of them are cigarettes or beer. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/64 "2011-12-21T11:55:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The “number of items” limit is really number of discrete scans / inputs the cashier will have to do. That’s the factor which drives the time it takes to process a complete sale. And the whole point of the “X or less/fewer items” line is to ensure that only quick orders are in line ahead of yew pwecious sewf wif yew pwecious time & pwetentious sense of entitewment. > > 3 zukes in a single bag with one produce code = 1 “item”. 3 different veg’s each in different bags with different produce codes = 3 items. > > 2 identical cans of whatever = 2 items because it takes 2 scans. I think it’s annoying when someone has 10 different kinds of produce if the cashier is seasonal or new and don’t know how to ring it up properly. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/65 "2011-12-21T14:38:00Z")
> [@Catfood\_Purrito](#): > > So if all the other lanes have long lines and the express checkout is empty and the cashier motions me over, do you people seriously believe that I should nobly remain in the long line, while the express lane sits unused? This happens to me all the time. My grocery store gets very crowded at checkout during certain times and during those times the manager will be out in the store trying to keep things moving. If I am standing in a full service line with a handbasket ( even if there are substantially over 10 items in that basket ) he will come over to me and ask me to move to the express line,please. I can’t imagine not doing this, he is not only extending this invitation to make my checkout time shorter but to relieve the congestion at the full service lines for everyone. I usually don’t crash the express line unless I am invited, though. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588/66 "2011-12-22T04:38:58Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > I think it’s annoying when someone has 10 different kinds of produce if the cashier is seasonal or new and don’t know how to ring it up properly. 😛 There should be a line for people who know the produce code for what they are buying. I buy a LOT of Gala apples. As soon as the cashier picks them up, I say “4135.” Once they realize what I’m talking about, they tend to appreciate it. -D/a [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-items-or-less/606588.md?page=3)