It’s never happened to me. I pay cash at the grocery store. All other places it’s either cash or a credit card.
As someone who once worked at a supermarket checkout as a summer job, I am deeply offended by this. Only four of the six girls working there got pregnant that year.
The pedantic side of me wants to point out that it is incredibly rude, sexist and condescending to address a woman you do not know as “honey,” while the didactic side of me wants to inform you that it is the 21st century and it would be in your interest to evolve.
Duke, you dog.
Maybe not “bad manners” per se, but certainly pointless, fruitless, and makes you come across like an ass for no real reward.
Why, exactly, might one be asked to enter one’s campaign button? :rolleyes:
I agree that PIN number is fine, but there would be nothing wrong with her just saying “Please put in your PIN.” I hear PIN used by itself a lot from my sister and her friends, and there’s no real ambiguity in that particular situation. What are you going to do, pull out a straight pin and jab it into the keypad display?
Sounds to me like he did not maximize his opportunity. Only 4 out of 6?
As the OP, I have to say that I am somewhat disturbed by the elitist attitude of the majority of respondents, who clearly feel that although they may be well aware of the minutiae of acronyms, checkout girls belong to a subclass who can and should be left to wallow in ignorance.
Which side of you wants to have your bread put in the bottom of the bag, with canned goods on top?
I remember reading here on the SDMB (probably an uncited claim, itself) that constructions in English like “PIN number”, “LCD display”, “UPC code” are so common as to be considered a standard feature of the language. That is, they may be the rule, as opposed to the exception. And due to the descriptive nature of English grammar, it’s completely correct to say “PIN number”. So, as mentioned upthread, the OP’s pedantic side was wrong to begin with.
And as for “hot water heater”, who says it doesn’t? When it’s heating during normal use, the water in the tank is already hot. It’s getting hotter, sure…but there’s still hot water being heated in there. If you want to get nit-picky about it, make sure you take your cleverness to the furthest and most literal extent before you open your mouth.
Nobody said that, but OK.
It just now occurred to me that I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone actually say “ATM machine”. I’ve always only heard “ATM”. I’m beginning to think this example doesn’t actually exist in reality.
A PIN is also called a PIN number. It’s not only bad manners, it’s also wrong. Stop trying to apply your own rules to the language. Even when grammar is actually improper, it’s still bad manners to correct anyone but your children or your students. Otherwise, someone can communicate any which-a-way they feel like, and you have no standing to criticize.
Bad manners because it doesn’t inconvenience you.
I’m known to correct checkout folks about giving me my change as a receipt sandwich instead of counting it back to me properly. That’s different. It inconveniences me.
I guarantee that the person working at the checkout doesn’t give even the tiniest shit. But if you do this, they’ll wait until you’re gone and then roll their eyes and/or laugh at you behind your back for being a pedantic dick.
I work in a call center and, near-universally, when I ask for *the VIN *people say, “A what?” If I ask for the VIN number, though, everyone understands it right away. It’s just easier for me to say VIN number, even though I know it’s technically redundant, because it reduces confusion (and because I *really *hate repeating myself).
Average people aren’t used to restricting their language to meet your pedantic standards. Do you really *want *to spend 2 minutes explaining how the phrase PIN number is redundant to someone who isn’t paid for her grammar skills? Do you not have a social filter to realize when and where these types of conversations are appropriate? Outside a message board or linguistics class, nobody gives a shit. Knock it off.
PIN number is redundant.
Anyway, I use cash money.
mmm
Now, I’m really worried …
I am a copy editor by profession and have the *hardest *time turning that off. I silently think, “there is no such thing as an ATM machine!” and “there should not be an apostrophe there, you idiot!” and “it’s a lot, not alot, you dunderhead!”
Ninety percent of the time I manage to keep my damn trap shut. Sometimes it is just too much for me . . .