# Personal Pet Peeve #2 **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 17, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485 "2010-04-17T21:40:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/21 "2010-04-20T16:53:20Z")
Twice I’ve made the rest of the line crack up when I, on deck and impatiently waiting behind slowpoke, asked the cashier how late they were open. This was at one pm on a Saturday. The cashier answered, 9 pm. I then asked if he thought I’d make it. ---
**Author:** ![festiva76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8e8cbc/32.png) [@festiva76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/festiva76)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/22 "2010-04-20T17:10:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Twice I’ve made the rest of the line crack up when I, on deck and impatiently waiting behind slowpoke, asked the cashier how late they were open. This was at one pm on a Saturday. The cashier answered, 9 pm. I then asked if he thought I’d make it. Good one..I’ll have to remember that for next time. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/23 "2010-04-20T17:23:10Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Twice I’ve made the rest of the line crack up when I, on deck and impatiently waiting behind slowpoke, asked the cashier how late they were open. This was at one pm on a Saturday. The cashier answered, 9 pm. I then asked if he thought I’d make it. Isn’t that kind of a crummy thing to do - get a laugh at someone else’s expense, especially if you don’t know them? I guess the rest of the people in the line didn’t think so, but the person who was the butt of the joke might’ve. Eh, I don’t really care about the whole check thing. I haven’t paid by check in years at the grocery, but when I do, it’s pre-filled. When others do it, as long as they aren’t taking forever, who cares? What really bothers me are the people who haggle over every little thing they’re checking out. “Your sign said $.99 for my can of peaches! You charged me $1.10!” Then again, I don’t live on a fixed income. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/24 "2010-04-20T17:23:44Z")
Well, maybe a little humiliation will make them HURRY THE FUCK UP. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/25 "2010-04-20T17:27:39Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I paid for an old couple’s cat food once after they spent 3 minutes patting themselves down for loose change. They asked for a copy of the receipt! This is funny. I’ve also paid the convenience tax just to get people the hell out of line already, taking all day counting up pennies to pay for their canned soup, but have yet to be asked for a receipt. I would have said, “You can take your cat food and go fuck yourself,” but I probably would have left off the “and go fuck yourself” part. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/26 "2010-04-20T17:49:40Z")
I get annoyed by those grumbling shifty-footed complainers when there’s a problem such as someone writing a check, or a problem with a register, or some slow kid counting change. Seconds just aren’t that precious to me I guess. This isn’t targeting the OP necessarily, I was just a part of a similar incident yesterday at a gas station. I don’t know what the hold up was but the lady in front of me acted like she was about to piss herself because she couldn’t stand at the check-out an extra minute. Then when it was her turn, after all her weeping and gnashing it seemed she couldn’t find her Kroger card (I think you get a ten cent discount per gallon) so I offered mine. She was so agitated she didn’t hear my offer until the cashier pointed it out. You’d think she’d have spent her time in line LOOKING for that card. There’s just no point in letting yourself get so frustrated over a minute’s trouble. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/27 "2010-04-20T17:50:29Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Isn’t that kind of a crummy thing to do - get a laugh at someone else’s expense, especially if you don’t know them? Yep. _But_ it was a huge laugh, and the person was an asshole. (Guess ya had to be there) ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/28 "2010-04-20T17:55:41Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > In dimes. All dimes. If you’re a good waitress you get an extra Mr. Roosevelt - don’t spend it all in one place! I’ll be in penny whistle and Moon Pie heaven. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/29 "2010-04-20T17:59:00Z")
I’m surprised stores still take checks. I mean, there is a risk of them bouncing while they are more guaranteed to get their cash if people use a debit card(or credit card). I think Ikea by us does not take checks. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/30 "2010-04-20T19:10:22Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I’m surprised stores still take checks. I mean, there is a risk of them bouncing while they are more guaranteed to get their cash if people use a debit card(or credit card). I am a small businessman, and the % of bounced checks I received exceeded acceptable last year, so I no longer take them. Credit cards are far from perfect, however, as people can do a charge back. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/31 "2010-04-20T19:14:13Z")
That check scanner they use nowadays makes check transactions more secure than they used to be. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/32 "2010-04-20T19:27:53Z")
How long is it going to be until all these old people who don’t know how to use ATMS or Metrocards are all dead? I would think that people who were middle-aged when debit cards came out would still continue to use them as they got older, rather than revert back to checkbooks. I just worry if there’s something that I’m going to be too afraid/confused to use when I’m in my 70s… ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/33 "2010-04-20T19:44:21Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > How long is it going to be until all these old people who don’t know how to use ATMS or Metrocards are all dead? Ahhhhh, but that’s when the new retro fad of writing checks (or cheques) will be all the rage.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/34 "2010-04-20T19:51:01Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Ahhhhh, but that’s when the new retro fad of writing checks (or cheques) will be all the rage.🆒 I hear that wampum is making a comeback. ---
**Author:** ![Wednesday\_Evening](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/35 "2010-04-20T19:57:08Z")
I wholeheartedly agree with the OP. I didn’t realize people still paid for store purchases with checks until I moved to “the boonies” 6 years ago (OK we’re not really the boonies, but for CA it sure feels like the boonies). And it’s not just old people. Everybody uses checks! I don’t understand it. To me, the disadvantages to check writing clearly outweigh the advantages. The only advantage I can see is that you can record the transaction in your check register right away. But why not just use your debit card, keep the receipt and then record it when you get home? The disadvantages: you have to carry your checkbook everywhere (more chance of losing it, and possibly not available to your spouse when he/she needs it) and you hold up the line and yourself while you fill it out, the clerk asks for your license, the clerk writes your license # down on the check, the clerk franks the check, etc… ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/36 "2010-04-20T20:04:17Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > JESUS FUCK MOVE IT OR LOSE IT my god it makes my blood boil. Oh, dear lord yes. This I cannot stand - someone futzing about after they’ve been checked out and handed their change and receipt. Balls! Move along and get out of the way! There’s a place right over there where you can get your shit together; it’s called GET OUT OF THE WAY! Oy. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/37 "2010-04-20T20:06:56Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I hear that wampum is making a comeback. Actually, I’m shocked by the number of people offering barter. It avoids the taxman (unless the IRS finds out) and has other advantages as well. ---
**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:** [April 20, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/38 "2010-04-20T20:16:56Z")
I have a [solution](http://verydemotivational.com/2008/05/22/funny-demotivational-posters-old-people/). ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/39 "2010-04-20T21:38:26Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > but I probably would have left off the “and go fuck yourself” part. You keep that up and we’ll make you change your name. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485/40 "2010-04-21T03:07:50Z")
Look at it this way: how long do you think it’s been since the 89 year old lady has been on a tight schedule? Elderly and, to a lesser extent, high schoolers on the weekends, tend to try my patience if I have to wait on them for anything. Their sense of time definitely doesn’t mesh with mine, but I try to give them a break, simply because I’ve been there or will be one day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-pet-peeve-2/536485.md?page=3)