# Just check my groceries, please. Without the fucking commentary. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801 "2011-02-01T18:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/81 "2011-02-02T16:00:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > (italics added by me) > I generally use the self checkout, but if for some reason I’m using a cashier run station, in what way is my input needed to facilitate the transaction? I’ve chosen what I want to purchase, the cashier scans the items, and a screen shows the total. > > Why do I need to stop listening to the podcast I’ve been listening to whilst shopping? [cough] douchebag [/cough] they’re not mindless automatons that you’re engaging when you hit the checkout line. they’re people who are worthy of common courtesy and respect. do you report to your boss listening to your podcast? even if he doesn’t say anything to you and simply hands you an assignment? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/82 "2011-02-02T16:10:15Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Why do I need to stop listening to the podcast I’ve been listening to whilst shopping? Because you are, however minimally and briefly, interacting with another human being, and ignoring them to listen to your podcast (which will, I assure you, still be there after you pause for 30 seconds) is rude. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/83 "2011-02-02T16:19:27Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > While certainly folks don’t need comments about their purchases, what’s wrong with a little chit chat? I mean are we so isolated these days that we spurn any human contact, even the most innocuous? It depends. Sometimes I’m in the mood for it, but most of the time I’m not. I tend to be a loner, and honestly don’t want to talk to (most) people most of the time. Don’t get me wrong–I’m polite to cashiers, and hardly ever rude to them (even if I’m in a bad mood, I’m not out and out rude, just frowning, not talking any more than necessary, and the vibe is I’m a grouch – but mostly harmless). I smile and say “thank you…you too” when they wish me a nice day (even though they sound robotic when they say it). I just don’t want chit-chat. Part of the reason is my version of the Golden Rule: I don’t like it when people stand in line, chatting about nothing, while I’m waiting, so I try my hardest not to do that to others. I’m treating other shoppers the way I want to be treated. Add to that, it pisses me off when shoppers stand at the register for what seems to be an interminable time, putting their money away. Instead, I walk a few feet away, out of the line of traffic, and put my money away. That way, I’m not stopping anyone else from paying. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/84 "2011-02-02T16:19:39Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > do you report to your boss listening to your podcast? even if he doesn’t say anything to you and simply hands you an assignment? Self employed, so I can’t answer. Also, I do the self checkout, but just don’t understand the need to interact with someone doing their job. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/85 "2011-02-02T16:25:17Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Because you are, however minimally and briefly, interacting with another human being, and ignoring them to listen to your podcast (which will, I assure you, still be there after you pause for 30 seconds) is rude. The same can be said for texting during meetings or other conversations (okay, strictly speaking, I may be called for bringing up a strawman argument, but if we’re saying it’s rude to listen to a podcast while dealing with a cashier for 30 seconds, I really see no difference between that and someone texting while I’m having a conversation with them. Broadly speaking, it’s the same thing–exhibiting rude behavior). ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/86 "2011-02-02T16:26:43Z")
> [@](#): > > Self employed, so I can’t answer. Also, I do the self checkout, but just don’t understand the need to interact with someone doing their job. Oh well. You presumably have customers then. Would you find it rude for them to fail to acknowledge your existence? You’re just doing your job, after all. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/87 "2011-02-02T16:29:37Z")
Not a commentary on the purchases, but the customer herself. One of my co-workers is rather flat-chested and somewhat plain in appearance. Bear in mind I’m no prizewinner myself, she’s a real nice gal. Sometimes customers call her “sir”. One place where she was a customer, a gas station, the clerk called her “sir” and when she replied “I’m a girl” the asshole said “Sorry, there isn’t anything feminine about you!” She was hurt, and went back the next day to tell the manager of the station about it. When the manager asked the clerk if it was true, what he’d said, he said it was. The manager fired him on the spot. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/88 "2011-02-02T16:30:52Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Self employed, so I can’t answer. Also, I do the self checkout, but just don’t understand the need to interact with someone doing their job. Oh well. It’s about acknowledging their basic existence. If you don’t understand this, then you have a social dysfunction and should probably get some kind of therapy. ETA you might also have Asperger’s. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/89 "2011-02-02T16:38:02Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > While certainly folks don’t need comments about their purchases, what’s wrong with a little chit chat? I mean are we so isolated these days that we spurn any human contact, even the most innocuous? I don’t spurn all human contact - but I prefer to pick and choose the time and person. Cashier and while running errands just aren’t my choices. That said, to the OP, just tell her to fuck off - it usually does the trick. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/90 "2011-02-02T16:43:36Z")
When you chose to go to a cashier rather than use the self checkout, you chose human interaction. I’m not a chit-chatter either, but the person standing in front of you is a _person_, and they deserve at least a greeting. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/91 "2011-02-02T16:45:25Z")
Not necessarily. Could have chosen the store that doesn’t have self-checkout. Or the shortest line. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/92 "2011-02-02T16:46:47Z")
> [@Darth\_Panda](#): > > I don’t spurn all human contact - but I prefer to pick and choose the time and person. Cashier and while running errands just aren’t my choices. > > That said, to the OP, just tell her to fuck off - it usually does the trick. Really? You literally tell cashiers to “fuck off” when they try to talk to you? That is socially normal behavior in your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/93 "2011-02-02T16:47:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Not necessarily. Could have chosen the store that doesn’t have self-checkout. Or the shortest line. Okay fine, when you chose to go to a store rather than order it online, you chose human interaction. Regardless, you greet the cashier because it is the bare minimum of decent manners. Let’s be clear here, every time you go out into the world, you have chosen to be amongst the humans. Behave accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/94 "2011-02-02T16:48:59Z")
Seriously. Just say “hello” and “thank you.” It won’t kill you. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/95 "2011-02-02T16:50:03Z")
Fine, yes, hello. _Yes_, I found everything. Less TALK, more _BEEP_. My time is valuable, for all you know! Yeah, you too, whatever, bye. _\_ _\_ ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/96 "2011-02-02T16:53:34Z")
“Hello. Fuck off. Thank you!” doesn’t really roll off the tongue. ---
**Author:** ![mischievous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mischievous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mischievous)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/97 "2011-02-02T16:55:04Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > I used to weekly have to buy 34 bags of minced beef, when I worked in a wildlife park- it’s good as a small animal food- the staff at the supermarket were never allowed to ask questions about purchases. It was so much fun watching them count through 34 bags of minced beef, then scanning the bottle of milk or chocolate bar I generally picked up at the same time and giving me this look that clearly said 'what the fuck are you _doing_ with this stuff?? After 2 years we finally told one of the staff what we were buying it for, and suddenly everyone knew, and asked things like ‘So, how’s the animals doing?’ on the way out. Must have been one of those break-time weird purchase discussions for ages… 🙂 Similar story, except it was 14 heads of romaine lettuce, every week day, for an entire summer. Plus my lunch. In my case, we were injecting plants with a pathogenic bacteria to find strains which weren’t pathogenic any longer, and lettuce was a cheap option for the initial screens. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Onimous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea5d25/32.png) [@Ann\_Onimous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Onimous)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/98 "2011-02-02T17:01:34Z")
I enjoy talking with the cashiers. But what the cashier did in the OP was way out of line. Did you actually make a call to complain about it? I went to Walgreens and had a very strange order: a Fleet enema and a bag of Skittles. I was talking to the gentleman who was ringing me up, and I said, “I’ll bet that’s the strangest order you’ve had all night.” He smiled and replied, “Not really. Skittles are pretty popular.” We had a good laugh. Mind you, this was after midnight, no other customers were in the store, and I was exhausted, so I wasn’t thinking clearly. I thought that was a pretty classy response. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/99 "2011-02-02T17:08:17Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > “Hello. Fuck off. Thank you!” doesn’t really roll off the tongue. Then try, “Fuck you very much!” and see what reaction you get. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mrklutz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ebca7d/32.png) [@mrklutz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrklutz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801/100 "2011-02-02T17:23:10Z")
I very seldom get commentary from cashiers, beyond the occasional “This looks good – have you tried this before?” sort of thing. One fine day, however, my then-girlfriend was going to make deviled eggs for us to bring to a potluck. I went out an bought a dozen jumbo eggs, but when I got home she said that if I’d bought 2 dozen she’d have made extra for me to keep at home. I loves me some deviled eggs, so I scooted back to the store for another dozen. Went through the same checkout line, again with nothing but a dozen jumbo eggs. The checker looked at the eggs, looked at me, and asked “Were you just here, or is there a glitch in the Matrix?” I chuckled all the way home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-check-my-groceries-please-without-the-fucking-commentary/569801.md?page=6)