This reminds me of the old Carlin routine about “Have a nice day.”
“Now, becuase of some loose-lipped cashier, I have to figure out how to somehow go out and have a good time. Why not wish me a crappy day? Nobody ever does that. ‘Have a crappy day.’ That’s easy. Hell, somedays, all you have to do is get up.”
Stranger
How was he supposed to know that?
Look, I can understand that the comment might not have been what the OP wanted to hear right at that moment, and it’s not the OP I’m responding to, but some of the replies in this thread are way out of proportion.
here’s a few
He has no life? Get the guy fired? Making him cry? yeah, real adult responses. Some people really need to grow a spine and realise that the people serving them in places like this aren’t automatons who have an existence outside of work and the mental capacity for something more than inane grinning and the “Have A Nice Day” attitude.
I hope your UTI clears up soon Elza, tis a nasty thing to be lumbered with.
[QUOTE=TwistofFate]
Some people really need to grow a spine and realise that the people serving them in places like this aren’t automatons who have an existence outside of work and the mental capacity for something more than inane grinning and the “Have A Nice Day” attitude.
QUOTE]
Well, even if that is the case–shouldn’t they then be more sensitive to customer purchases? I doubt the mental capacity of some cashiers I’ve dealt with–PT and going to school etc–but some folks can’t get past cashiering because they lack the intelligence–and probably the ability to perceive that some customers don’t want banter/schmooze/coporate PR crap. I am not rude to most cashiers, but those who are completely clueless about normal human interactions, I am.
Does the guy deserve to be fired? No–but he needs to butt out of people’s business.
Elza B, I hope you’re feeling better today – I know how painful bladder infections can be! FYI, for future reference, my doctor recommended I drink a glass of water with diluted baking soda in it as soon as I started noticing the faintest burning of a bladder infection or UTI coming on. It’s an antacid and will therefore neutralize the acid in your urine that causes the intense burning (instructions for taking it this way are printed on the box). And in fact, every single time I’ve tried this “trick” (again, suggested by my doctor, but do consult yours first, as well), I have actually avoided a full-blown infection entirely and never needed any further treatment.
“S’okay, I only smoke after I’ve been great!”
Sounds vaguely Mae West-ish.
I don’t consider them automatons. Not at all - in fact, I’m usually the one having the conversation with the people at the checkout when I go to the grocery store. I have several cashiers at the supermarket whose lines I go through when I see them because I do like them, and we chat while they’re ringing me up. I hardly consider them to be non-human or less than me. I’m typically one of the most pleasant customers they’ll deal with every day.
His comment was a little over-the-top to me, and it was the tone, as well - it was incredibly rude. Had it just been the comment and not the tone, I imagine my reaction would have been a little different. But he also made me feel a little skeevy with the tone, the comment, and the way he looked at me - like I was doing something wrong because I happened to be buying these items at the same time.
Maybe I was overly sensitive because I really needed to pee, but it wasn’t an appropriate comment at the time, and isn’t a comment I’d find appropriate at any time, I’d imagine. Especially not with an entire line of people behind me who then craned their necks to get a glimpse of my purchases.
And thank you for the well-wishes - the infection seems to be clearing up (although it’d be nice not to feel like I have to go to the bathroom constantly), and I’ve highly amused myself with the flourescent output I’m getting from the Uristat. I’ll be happy never, ever to have one of these again. And my husband will be happy when we move into our house, which has more than one bathroom, unlike our apartment.
ShShayna, thanks for the tip! I’ll keep that in mind for the next time I feel one of these coming on. This one actually took a few days to hit, so that’ll be a good thing to try next time.
E.
There’s something so perfect about that!
Fuck off, Fucker!
FUCK OFF, Fucker!
Fuck OFF, Fucker!
Fuck off. (pause) FUCKER!
Sigh. Seriously, there’s beauty there.
I can’t remember where I heard this (probably my husband telling me about someone saying it on a construction site), but it went something like;
This fucking fucker is fucked (referring to some piece of equipment, probably).
Now that’s some command of the English language! (Or at least the swear words.)
TwistofFate, believe me, I am usually the first one to speak out for the decent treatment of cashiers, being one myself. I have been abused, picked on, publicly humiliated and threatened with a firing myself. I have walked away from confrontations with bad customers on more than one occasion in tears. I would venture to say that very few people on these boards are more sympathetic towards the plight of the retail worker than me.
But in my opinion, the guy was out of line. I wouldn’t dream of making a smart remark about the contents of a customer’s purchase. And I didn’t say the guy should be fired, I said he would be if the OP had complained at my store. That’s just how it is. The guy may have been a rookie, or may simply have made the wrong choice. But his actions should have a consequence. At the very least, an apology would be warranted.
And as for cashiers not being automatons, you are absolutely right. It’s mind-boggling how many people think I exist solely to serve them and have no mind of my own. Maybe they think I sleep at the store and wake up each day all giddy at the prospect of ringing them out. At any rate, many of them think I have an IQ roughly equivalent to that of a ping pong ball. I’m of the opinon that at least one year of retail service should be mandatory. So that everyone could experience what it’s like. Maybe then attitudes on both sides of the register would be a lot better.
Ugh.
Definitely out of line. You don’t make obnoxious comments on people’s purchases. I spent quite a few years as a cashier, feel for anyone still doing it and do my utmost to make their day easier.
My rude cashier moment for this week (keep in mind I’m 26 years old): “And what does your mother think about you buying THAT?” Grrrrr.
ooh–that’s an easy one!
Jut reply, “but I am buying it for her!” and look round eyed at them…
Or maybe, “My mom taught me to mind my own business. Shame about yours.”
There’s a profound gender inequity, when you think about it. Women tend to be the ones who have to pee due to UTIs, but men are the ones who have the ability to piss on rude people (although I have only seen it happen once). There is something not fair about that. 
I’m partial to “ffecK off!” with the snake like silibant Fs bracketing the pounding hard ecK, particularly when combined with a withering, dismissive gaze.
Ooooooh. They’re both good comebacks! I wish I had’ve used your line, Featherlou, I’ve got a haughty face that I’ve been dying to try out and it would go so well with a snide comment on her manners.
What I came out with was:
“I’m 26. I haven’t sought my mother’s input on life decisions in a long time.”
Yeah, well, I can come up with them on a message board, but in real life? Pretty much standing there with a gaping mouth, stunned by the ignorance.