There’s nothing worse than having to buy a box of latex gloves and a big jar of Vaseline at the same time. Handing my purchases to the checkout girl while blushing uncontrollably, I just knew she thought I was equipping myself for an all-night fisting session.
Said purchases were for purely innocent reasons, I hasten to add.
I’ll stop chitchatting with my customers when they stop asking me about something I’m wearing, or my hair, or what my name means…
it goes both ways. Maybe YOU don’t like a casual friendly comment or inquiry from the cashier, but the fact is most people don’t mind or actually like it. Nothing excuses rudeness or anything inappropriate, either from the customer or the employee.
Re: “the help” gobear, have you ever heard the phrase “you get more flies with sugar than vinegar”? I get amazing service where-ever I go, and it’s because I treat people like individual, breathing human beings, and not servicebots. And would never dream of calling them “the help.”
And I would have probably tipped $10.00. 
The only time I recall being questioned was when I used to buy syringes for my bi-weekly allergy shots. The pharmacist would always ask the reason for the purchase, which I respected entirely.
I have to admit that I’m one who does not enjoy chatting with cashiers. I find it awkward and weird, especially when I’m buying feminine products or some such. I’m trying to get over it 'cause I know I should be friendlier, but sometimes it’s difficult. At the local supermarket, there’s a strange cashier whose line I avoid. A few months ago, he was initialling my cash-back when he dropped the receipt. He picked it up, dropped it again, and said, “I’m going to give it to you one day”. Then he looked right at me, handed me the receipt and said, “The receipt, I mean.” I almost screamed.
A few days later, he asked me how I was doing, I said, “Fine”. I asked him in return, and he went into great detail about his various illnesses, aches, and pains. This is why I find it awkward. I have this face that screams, “I’m interested in what you think. Tell me your problems.” I miss self-scanners; they haven’t reached small-town England yet. Self-scanners and Pay-at-the-Pump gas stations…ah, I love the anonymity.
I’ve had pharmicists look at me as though I were a slut of some sort, because the antibiotics I was prescribed were used mainly to treat std’s. I didn’t know this, all I knew was that the doctor wanted me to have that medicine for my respirtory infection. I found out later why they were whispering and giving strange looks when I read the patient information sheet. 
I’ve been “the wicked flirt” customer before. I was buying some satin panties and bra sets that were on sale, and the clerk was a young guy, I’d say about 20. When he got to my bras, I said “Woo hoo, he’s touching my bra!” He blushed six shades of scarlet, then laughed with my friend and I after I made eye contact and let him know I was just teasing him, and meant no harm.
I honestly didn’t think he’d blush at the thought of touching a bra, go figure. I was just trying to make light of the thought that a guy was cashier in the ladies section, and ease the tension on both sides of the counter.
I went back a month or two later, but he wasn’t working in the store that day. I hope he grew more comfortable with that job, it was a tough one. Especially so, since he didn’t use the products, and would get strange looks if he asked customers about the qualities of the items. (Is he asking so he can answer on-the-job questions, or for other reasons?) I think his boss maybe should have taught him a bit about each product, so he could answer questions, but I don’t know how I’d approach the subject if I were her.
I’ve had pharmicists look at me as though I were a slut of some sort, because the antibiotics I was prescribed were used mainly to treat std’s. I didn’t know this, all I knew was that the doctor wanted me to have that medicine for my respirtory infection. I found out later why they were whispering and giving strange looks when I read the patient information sheet.
I’ve been “the wicked flirt” customer before. I was buying some satin panties and bra sets that were on sale, and the clerk was a young guy, I’d say about 20. When he got to my bras, I said “Woo hoo, he’s touching my bra!” He blushed six shades of scarlet, then laughed with my friend and I after I made eye contact and let him know I was just teasing him, and meant no harm.
I honestly didn’t think he’d blush at the thought of touching a bra, go figure. I was just trying to make light of the thought that a guy was cashier in the ladies section, and ease the tension on both sides of the counter.
I went back a month or two later, but he wasn’t working in the store that day. I hope he grew more comfortable with that job, it was a tough one. Especially so, since he didn’t use the products, and would get strange looks if he asked customers about the qualities of the items. (Is he asking so he can answer on-the-job questions, or for other reasons?) I think his boss maybe should have taught him a bit about each product, so he could answer questions, but I don’t know how I’d approach the subject if I were her.
gobear, chill out.
Lynn
For the Straight Dope
If you don’t win, you should either get the Purple Heart or be cannonized.
jinwicked has a very valid point. Chit-chat, of the appropriate variety, builds up a rapport between the customer and the sales clerk. Regular customers soon begin to seek you out every time they come in, and the end result is people who choose to keep coming back because of the friendly, personal service. The older folk in particular seem to love this.
Of course, the sales clerk has to use his or her discretion. No comments about items of a personal nature, and politely keep things short and sweet when other customers are waiting in line. Oh, and if you get the feeling that the next customer is going to be too crabby to appreciate a friendly word from “the help”, just ring them up and get them out of there ASAP.
I apologize for the offensive nature of my comments and am sincerely sorry for disturbing your discussion.
jin, I think you are being chatted up, not so much chatted with, if the topics you offer as examples are any indication.
I think the point that a couple people are missing is that that types of jobs being discussed are sales and service. I have never known a good salesperson that went about their job mutely and robotically. In the long run, it is better to risk irritating the small percentage of people who simply don’t want to be talked to and make a positive impression on the rest.
Isn’t 17.5 years of cashiering enough? Why should Kat be shot out of a cannon as well?
::d&r::
Actually, I hate to say it, but I had a great-aunt who’s home made gefilte fish really was like something you’d eat on Fear Factor.
I was so happy when we changed to store-bought…
Regardless, even if a customer is buying weasel innards, sheep’s eyeballs, cement mix, vaseline, and 43 boxes of condoms the store employees can just keep their damn mouths shut. If you absolutely can not control your emotional response say something “I haven’t seen that combination before. Enjoy your purchases” ring the damn order up and don’t say anything more.
The only time I was ever visibly grossed out was when a customer bought live bait from sporting goods. I cannot stand worms, and if I had to touch a container of nightcrawlers I was extra careful to get it into a bag-if it had come open, I would have run shrieking. NOT good!
Forgive me, as I’d link this to a new thread: reading some of the posts causes me to ask “Why do some guys have hangups about buying “female” things?”
Waving hand I’m a tampon, pantyliner, nonoxynol-9 and condom buyer. If I don’t like the plain jane tightie whities you’re putting on your booty, I’ll go pick out some shimmering colors to grace your butt. While brassieres are admittedly more difficult to comfortably fit, if I can read the manufacturer tag and size of present equipment, you’ll get some of them in all rainbow shades, too.
My rationale is: It’s part of you being you, and if we’re close enough that I know these things, isn’t an adult approach appropriate? Apparently I’m in the minority, and I don’t know why.
Female insight welcomed, here.
Apologies for the hijack of the previous posting
I heard a comedian say once that he was proud to buy “feminine products.” He figured it said loud & clear to all around “Hey! I got somebody at home who uses these things!”
I can’t think of a case of a cashier being so rude, but sometimes other customers can surprise me! A couple of weeks ago, hubby and I were at a Dollar Store. As some of you may know, he and I both gave up refined sugar about 5 months ago, in an effort to lose weight. Well, at the Dollar Store, hubby was looking at a particular brand of breath mints, and I said to him “that brand is always sugar-free”. Then he picked up another kind, and looked at me questioningly, and I said, “those are sugar-free, too.” The guy in line directly in front of us, turned around and said “What is he, diabetic or something?” (And he said it as if being diabetic would be something to be ashamed of). I said “No”. “Then why in the world do you keep talking about sugar-free?” He asked. I did explain what we were up to, but I also wondered what made him think it was his concern!
Oh, and gobear, your apology is appreciated.
Of course, it could also imply that the purchaser is the “one at home” who uses those things, which is why it’s so difficult for the greater run of males to do so. Not to get all serious here, but it’s a symptom of the basic sexism/homophobia (two faces of the same coin) of society. It’s also the reason that the “husband holding his wife’s purse while she tries clothes on” is considered such a vast well of hilarity in certain circles.
Nope - he was buying baby oil as well, which don’t jive with safer sex.
Esprix
Baby Oil??? NOO!!!
Joel, why would anyone want to do this with Mitchell?
gobear-good call, friend.