# When (and why) the fuck did checking out at a store become such a goddamned stupid ordeal. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 4, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803 "2013-04-04T04:07:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/121 "2013-04-05T00:32:35Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Damn it. I should have checked Urban Dictionary first. Cocksnuggler is there and it means pretty much what you would think. > > Please disregard. I suck at making up words. You probably meant cock-snuggler, I’m sure it has a totally different meaning. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/122 "2013-04-05T00:48:24Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > I am skeptical of the claim that modern youth are post-homophobia. Whoever said that, though? Plenty of youth are homophobic. The way the word ‘fag’ is used in slang has nothing to do with that, though. I know it is hard for people to accept. I get it. I’m not being a smart ass, I honestly do understand. It’s the same way I don’t use ‘nigga/nigger’ in front of my elder relatives. Because I completely understand that it is hard for them to accept the way language changes in that particular case. But that doesn’t change the facts. The facts are that many kids today, kids who are NOT homophobic at all, use that word. The word has changed. The word ‘nigger/nigga’ has changed too, albeit differently. People who use it may or may not be bigots. But if I were to call you a doperfag, (which I would not do) it would have nothing to do with homophobia and it wouldn’t even really be an insult. I have said this before, but I’ll say it again. I can check off damn near every ‘persecuted’ group there is. From being considered unattractive in this society, to being a woman, to being overweight, to being black, to being from the ghetto. I can go on and on. I also am happy to be fully accepted by the gay and lesbian community and having lots of friends and family who are gay, lesbian and a few drag queens to boot, I think I have an understanding of the culture a lil’ bit, even though I know I can’t speak for them or tell them how to feel. I can tell you that the ones that I know, drink with, work with and shoot the shit with do make a distinction between how gamers and young kids may use it on the internet and the way a bigot uses it when he is hurling it viciously. Again, I repeat, I am not gay, so I am not trying to tell anyone how to feel about it. I am just someone who loves language and slang and observing how it develops and changes and I have my own thick ass skin because I learned that sometimes, even when it really looks as if someone is attacking me, they really aren’t. I can tell when they are, but the way slang works, sometimes it looks like they are when they aren’t. That’s all. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/123 "2013-04-05T02:31:17Z")
> [@LouLou7](#): > > Twatwaffle!!! Snatchflaps!!! > > Hee! This is fun. Snugglebunnies? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/124 "2013-04-05T02:58:12Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I remember we had to push this one charity, and being told if we refused, that we would be “fired for insubordination”. I’m not kidding. They’d schedule just enough people to barely get through the day, leaving most of the registers closed, so if someone called off, you were screwed. People would naturally take it out on us. We’d have to wait until the end of the day to take our lunches, meaning I’d be working say, nine-hours, and take my lunch after seven. Despite that technically, that violated labor laws. If you needed a price check, you’d have to call several times, because again, every department was short-staffed. It would have been quicker to check for ourselves, but we weren’t allowed to do that. :rolleyes: > I liked working the self-checkouts (when I was there, you had to have one person at a main terminal to help with any issues, deactivate theft-tags, price checks, and make sure their total were correct) I didn’t know they took them out. Probably because people liked them and they were convenient – can’t have that! > And people wonder why I quit that hell hole. I’m surprised the one where I worked is still open – that place was a fucking mess. Are you sure it violated labor laws? Were you an adult or a minor at the time? A lot of states don’t have any laws that require breaks for adults. Minors get breaks, yeah. Not necessarily adults. I was amazed when I found this out, I thought that there was some sort of federal law that required workplaces to give a rest break every couple of hours, and a lunch break if you were working at least six hours that day. Nope, not true. ---
**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:** [April 5, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/125 "2013-04-05T03:12:37Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Are you sure it violated labor laws? Were you an adult or a minor at the time? A lot of states don’t have any laws that require breaks for adults. Minors get breaks, yeah. Not necessarily adults. I was amazed when I found this out, I thought that there was some sort of federal law that required workplaces to give a rest break every couple of hours, and a lunch break if you were working at least six hours that day. Nope, not true. **Guin** ’s adult/minor status turns out to be relevant. Here’s PA labor law wrt meals and breaks: > [@Pennsylvania Wage and Hour Laws](#): > > Meals and Breaks > > Pennsylvania employers are required to provide a thirty (30) minute break period to employees ages fourteen (14) through seventeen (17) who work five (5) or more consecutive hours (Pennsylvania Stat. 43:46). > > Employers are not required to give breaks for employees eighteen (18) and over (PA Dept. of Labor: Wage and Hour FAQs). If an employer chooses to provide breaks, and the break last less than twenty (20) minutes, it must be paid. If an employer allows meal periods, it does not have to be paid if the employee does not work during the meal period and it lasts more than twenty (20) minutes. (Pennsylvania Code §231.1). [Cite.](http://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/wage-and-hour-laws/state-wage-and-hour-laws/pennsylvania/#3) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/126 "2013-04-05T03:14:26Z")
Yep, that’s why I asked whether she was an adult or minor at the time in my second sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/127 "2013-04-05T03:29:31Z")
Adult at the time. The way I was told was that if you were under 18, you had to have a 30 minute lunch if you worked at least six hours. Over eighteen it was at least 6.5 hours. At least, that’s what they told me when I started. I DO know that if you’re going to give them, you don’t wait until the last minute. That was drilled into me when I was in high school, and some kid asked if he could just skip his lunch and leave early, or take it later. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/128 "2013-04-05T03:54:16Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Whoever said that, though? Plenty of youth are homophobic. The way the word ‘fag’ is used in slang has nothing to do with that, though. Then they are thoughtless and should be educated. The GLBT people you know may make an exception but that does not write one a pass for all GLBT people and if you called me a doperfag, regardless of your intent, I would be offended. Referring to someone you are opposed to as a fag is necessarily calling on the pejorative meaning of the word. If it was not, it would not be used as it wouldn’t make any sense. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/129 "2013-04-05T03:59:10Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Damn it. I should have checked Urban Dictionary first. Cocksnuggler is there and it means pretty much what you would think. > > Please disregard. I suck at making up words. How about cocksmuggler? Wangtwanger? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/130 "2013-04-05T04:02:34Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Adult at the time. The way I was told was that if you were under 18, you had to have a 30 minute lunch if you worked at least six hours. Over eighteen it was at least 6.5 hours. At least, that’s what they told me when I started. > > I DO know that if you’re going to give them, you don’t wait until the last minute. That was drilled into me when I was in high school, and some kid asked if he could just skip his lunch and leave early, or take it later. Nope. Either the law has changed or you were told wrong. I’m betting that you were told wrong. A lot of people believe that there is some law that requires a break for adults, but most states don’t have such laws. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/131 "2013-04-05T04:03:27Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#): > > Please disregard. I suck at making up words. You also suck at definitions. Such as for the word “slow” as in slow leak. It’s obvious to me that the tire leaked more when driven than when not, hence the long time it took to leak out flat. I first discovered it going flat when I took it out of storage last month. Jags aren’t real good winter cars and it wasn’t driven much until recently. Swapped out the valve 3 weeks ago but that doesn’t seem to be quite the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/132 "2013-04-05T04:13:12Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Then they are thoughtless and should be educated. The GLBT people you know may make an exception but that does not write one a pass for all GLBT people and if you called me a doperfag, regardless of your intent, I would be offended. Referring to someone you are opposed to as a fag is necessarily calling on the pejorative meaning of the word. If it was not, it would not be used as it wouldn’t make any sense. Of course you would be offended. As I said, I wouldn’t call you that, and my style of slang doesn’t include the word “fag” in any variation. I am just trying to explain how the word is being used. Whether it offends or not, the facts are the facts. I don’t think the kids who use the word are thoughtless nor uneducated. I think they do put thought into whether or not they will use words that some may find offensive and they choose to go ahead and use the words regardless. Perhaps a lot of people disagree with that choice, and I don’t knock them for being offended at all. ---
**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:** [April 5, 2013, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/133 "2013-04-05T04:15:09Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Either the law has changed or you were told wrong. I’m betting that you were told wrong. Dunno. Coulda been Kmart corporate policy, and not related to labor law at all. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/134 "2013-04-05T04:28:11Z")
Yeah, it could have been corporate policy, but she was claiming that it violated labor laws. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/135 "2013-04-05T04:29:34Z")
I am on board with some of this. I don’t want any more cards, and I don’t need a bag. I don’t need a receipt as long as my arm for my almonds and Diet Coke. I just want to pick my stuff, pay and get the fuck out. Now. I know you’re doing a job but I got to go. Make it easier, not harder, Then I buy more and get out quick and everybodys a mite happier. It’s better for all when it’s streamlined because I am not the only busy one there are more, and they probably want to grab their 4 or 5 things and get the fuck on with their shit. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/136 "2013-04-05T04:37:25Z")
> [@anya\_marie](#): > > I am on board with some of this. I don’t want any more cards, and I don’t need a bag. I don’t need a receipt as long as my arm for my almonds and Diet Coke. > > I just want to pick my stuff, pay and get the fuck out. Now. I know you’re doing a job but I got to go. Make it easier, not harder, Then I buy more and get out quick and everybodys a mite happier. > > It’s better for all when it’s streamlined because I am not the only busy one there are more, and they probably want to grab their 4 or 5 things and get the fuck on with their shit. Exactly. I’m in your store to buy some shit; I don’t want anything else except for the shit to be on the shelves, and for there to be some way for me to pay for it and GTFO. ETA: Dickticklers. ---
**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 5, 2013, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/137 "2013-04-05T04:44:24Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You also suck at definitions. Such as for the word “slow” as in slow leak. It’s obvious to me that the tire leaked more when driven than when not, hence the long time it took to leak out flat. I first discovered it going flat when I took it out of storage last month. Jags aren’t real good winter cars and it wasn’t driven much until recently. Swapped out the valve 3 weeks ago but that doesn’t seem to be quite the answer. So slow that it took you by surprise. Got it. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/138 "2013-04-05T04:45:33Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Exactly. I’m in your store to buy some shit; I don’t want anything else except for the shit to be on the shelves, and for there to be some way for me to pay for it and GTFO. > > ETA: Dickticklers. I’ve found that avoiding any and all eye contact when dealing with the clerks ringing you up works well as far as helping get the message across, along with _one_ simple “no thanks”, that you aren’t interested in _any-motherfucking-extras._ It seems to nip it in the bud. ---
**Author:** ![anya\_marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@anya\_marie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anya_marie)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/139 "2013-04-05T04:51:58Z")
Yeah. Ok, dickticklers, seee this is my large purse, this is WHY I don’t need a bag. I can fit a fuckton in here. I can squueze a bunch of snack, pens, books, notes, makeup and other essentials in Here. It’s a giant purse. That’s why. Or If I have my backpack, which I can fit half my life in, again still don’t need bags. You drip. ---
**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 5, 2013, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803/140 "2013-04-05T04:52:01Z")
I am on board with the rant about a dozen or so check out lanes with only one or two open. All that capital invested in the POS equipment, and then failure to staff the most important part of retail, which is ACTUALLY TAKING THE FUCKING CASH FROM THE CUSTOMER. Idiots. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-why-the-fuck-did-checking-out-at-a-store-become-such-a-goddamned-stupid-ordeal/654803.md?page=8)