# Your transaction is now over, now STFU!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 22, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525 "2012-03-22T18:16:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/21 "2012-03-23T04:51:36Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I’ve learned not to bother much with actual substantive conversation with the cashiers at my local Giant grocery, at least at peak busy times. They prefer their conversations with shoppers to be pro forma. They always ask, “Did you find everything you were looking for?” Apparently they are told they have to ask that. Of course they don’t want to hear a real answer. They expect a perfunctory “yes.” 'Cause if you didn’t find what you wanted, what is it to them, what will they do about it anyway? It’s comparable to saying “Hi, how are you?” when the only answer is supposed to be “Fine!” Phatic speech. A simple speech act meaning “I’m here. You there?” and nothing more. > > I learned this when a cashier asked me, “Did you find everything you wanted today?” and I said “Well, yeah, except there weren’t any of the store-brand frozen peas I always get, so I got Birdseye frozen peas instead, 'cause that’s all there was…” The cashier made no reply to that but gave off what I took to be impatience vibes. I’d have that cashier fired or, at the very least, written up. It doesn’t matter if they don’t want to hear a real answer. There is a [reason](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14890222&postcount=4) they are told to ask that. You talk; they listen, and then when a manager walks by, they tell the manager. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/22 "2012-03-23T05:19:23Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Since it was Walgreens, I presume the cashier asked if you wanted any P-Nut Plops, Fudge Plugs, Dinglebrownies, or whatever their shitty candy-upsell-of-the-day happened to be? “Would you be wanting any Dinglebrownies today, sir?” "Well … I wasn’t going to… because I’m so allergic to the food dye in them that they send me into instant anaphylactic shock, stopping my heart within seconds. But now that you mention them, sure, gimme a couple of boxes. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/23 "2012-03-23T09:46:51Z")
I’ve always found that the following statement seems to hurry things along. “Excuse me, can we hurry things along? I’ve just let loose a litre and half of liquid stool and would like to get home before my adult diaper begins to leak. Thank you for your understanding.” ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/24 "2012-03-23T13:31:55Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > I’ve learned not to bother much with actual substantive conversation with the cashiers at my local Giant grocery, at least at peak busy times. They prefer their conversations with shoppers to be pro forma. They always ask, “Did you find everything you were looking for?” Apparently they are told they have to ask that. Of course they don’t want to hear a real answer. They expect a perfunctory “yes.” 'Cause if you didn’t find what you wanted, what is it to them, what will they do about it anyway? It’s comparable to saying “Hi, how are you?” when the only answer is supposed to be “Fine!” Phatic speech. A simple speech act meaning “I’m here. You there?” and nothing more. > > I learned this when a cashier asked me, “Did you find everything you wanted today?” and I said “Well, yeah, except there weren’t any of the store-brand frozen peas I always get, so I got Birdseye frozen peas instead, 'cause that’s all there was…” The cashier made no reply to that but gave off what I took to be impatience vibes. They do always ask that don’t they. Next time I’ll try, “Not really , I was looking for a long term meaningful relationship built on affection and mutual respect, but that lady whose cart I “bumped” into in the cat food isle wasn’t having it” ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/25 "2012-03-23T13:33:04Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > I’ve always found that the following statement seems to hurry things along. > > “Excuse me, can we hurry things along? I’ve just let loose a litre and half of liquid stool and would like to get home before my adult diaper begins to leak. Thank you for your understanding.” And that works? …😃 ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/26 "2012-03-23T13:41:16Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I don’t mind the chatter if the cashier continues to move things along. But once the receipt is handed over, END IT. The other thing that gripes me are the people who can’t seem to have their discount card/credit card/checkbook/cash ready when needed; who wait until everything is rung up and _then_ start fumbling for payment. Same for people getting on the goddamned bus. Have your fucking ticket/money/pass ready so we don’t have to sit there waiting for you to get your shit together. I try to do that, keep them in a specific easy access spot, but I’ve learned to not expect everyone else to rush because I’m on lunch break, on my way to work etc. I did get a little annoyed when some elderly woman waited until her entire cart full of groceries had been rung up and she was given the total , to then begin looking for her check book that was somewhere in her purse. I mean, bless your heart, can’t you find it and fill in parts of it while they’re ringing you up. Some people like to watch the screen to make sure things ring up correctly. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/27 "2012-03-23T13:56:54Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Thanks. Done. > > I expect the defriendings to begin any minute. 😃 Win/Win! ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/28 "2012-03-25T00:52:25Z")
Frankly, I wish the cashier wouldn’t talk to me either: “Do you have a Reward Zone membership card?” “Do you want one?” “Can I have your Zip Code?” “Would you like a bakery treat/discount bannanas/this 2-for-1 special or anything else I happen to be shilling on the counter today?” “Can I have your phone number?” “Would you like a gift receipt for any of your items?” “Would you like our 1 year replacement warranty?” “Would you like to donate a dollar to our charity?” “Would you like the receipt/candy/pop/jerky with you or in the bag?” I feel like I’m banging buttons on my phone to get through an automated voice answering service only in real life. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/29 "2012-03-25T03:45:39Z")
I was looking for a 56K USB modem today since I usually stay out in the sticks during warm weather. My old one broke, so I went the only store nearby that might possibly have one. I asked one question: Do you have a USB modem? I received the history of computer communications from the dawn of time until the present day with the answer finally being, “Since most people have broadband, we quit carrying them.” Thanks, pal. You could have told me that 11 minutes ago. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/30 "2012-03-25T04:22:19Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > They do always ask that don’t they. Next time I’ll try, > > “Not really , I was looking for a long term meaningful relationship built on affection and mutual respect, but that lady whose cart I “bumped” into in the cat food isle wasn’t having it” Cashier: Question we are required to ask Customer: Yet another"witty" response. Cashier: Ha Ha And on to the next customer… ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/31 "2012-03-25T04:43:55Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > I was looking for a 56K USB modem today since I usually stay out in the sticks during warm weather. My old one broke, so I went the only store nearby that might possibly have one. > > I asked one question: Do you have a USB modem? > > I received the history of computer communications from the dawn of time until the present day with the answer finally being, “Since most people have broadband, we quit carrying them.” > > Thanks, pal. You could have told me that 11 minutes ago. On the one hand, knowledgeable clerks are great. On the other hand, time is money. The clerk could have been selling something, and you could have been buying something, in that 11 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/32 "2012-03-25T12:52:12Z")
The SDMB is packed with social mutants. I used to think maybe my HEAVY METAL music was what made me aggressive and socially irritable but maybe it’s 12 years of hanging out on this message board. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/33 "2012-03-25T19:17:37Z")
> [@Kozmik](#): > > I’d have that cashier fired or, at the very least, written up. It doesn’t matter if they don’t want to hear a real answer. There is a [reason](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14890222&postcount=4) they are told to ask that. You talk; they listen, and then when a manager walks by, they tell the manager. Nah, it was so not a big deal. I just thought the anecdote was mildly interesting as an unexpected example of a linguistic concept (phatic speech acts). Besides, I am by nature sympathetic to working people rather than bosses, and am extremely reluctant to bust on a wage-earning sister to The Man. Only time I’d ever do that is if they were deliberately being cruel or malicious toward me. But this anecdote was of no real concern. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/34 "2012-03-25T19:25:08Z")
Yankee Candle is one of the absolute worst stores for this…I had to drive my mom over there yesterday (the A/C in her Jeep isn’t working right now), and we were cornered and babbled to by three different sales associates. Mom walked into that store knowing exactly what products she wanted, yet each one accosted her with their favorite scents and a rambling explanation as to why it should be her favorite too, and how they’re using it in their homes, and what it reminds them of…on and on and on! Oh, and the accessories…“It’s hand painted! It’s hand painted!” one repeatedly chirped. (Based on the stickers and the quality of the work, they were hand painted in China under extremely dim lighting.) Finally made it to the checkout, where Mom was repeatedly asked for an emailed coupon that she had received but not printed yet. The sales lady kept trying to get her to take out her cell phone, saying that they just needed to “see the email”. I repeatedly explained to her that my mother A) does not have a smart phone; B) does not have a data plan; and C) does not have an IMAP email account. I think this experience convinced Mom to start shopping online. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/35 "2012-03-25T19:34:57Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > The SDMB is packed with social mutants. I used to think maybe my HEAVY METAL music was what made me aggressive and socially irritable but maybe it’s 12 years of hanging out on this message board. 12 years? Obviously, it’s 2014 where you are, and you’ve got a time machine that lets you pop back a couple of years to post in Pit threads. So do me a favor, please. Head over to the MegaMillions web page at March 28, 2012, record the winning numbers from the March 27, 2012, and post them here. I already called “dibs” on the jackpot, and bought my ticket, but this opportunity to hedge my position and make absolutely SURE of winining (on the off-chance that the cashier at the mini-mart neglected to sell me the right ticket —hey, it’s happened before); well it would simply be irresponsible of me to pass it up. If you’re thinking of objecting that the page might indicate that the jackpot had not been won, just put it out of your mind. I’m gonna have over $150M in my pocket after taxes, I think I can spare a million or two to clear up any temporal paradoxes. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/36 "2012-03-25T19:35:07Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > The SDMB is packed with social mutants. I used to think maybe my HEAVY METAL music was what made me aggressive and socially irritable but maybe it’s 12 years of hanging out on this message board. Seriously, take a month off and see if it helps. I did, and I was worse. Venting here obviously contributes to my being Sweetness & Unicorn Farts™ in my daily life. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/37 "2012-03-25T20:12:21Z")
> [@](#): > > 12 years? Obviously, it’s 2014 where you are, and you’ve got a time machine that lets you pop back a couple of years to post in Pit threads. The SDMB started on AOL and then moved onto the internet when AOL decided that the Straight Dope really didn’t fit in. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/38 "2012-10-17T15:39:31Z")
Had to resurrect this zombie. Cashier and customer talking. Transaction over. Cashier moved from behind the register to stand next to the customer and talks to her as they move forward out of the way and talk for another 3-5 minutes. Understand nothing is going on (bagging, etc.) during this time except them talking. \ Ahem. Excuse me. \ Do you want me to help you with your water? \ No. I want you to start ringing up my groceries so I can put more on the belt. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/39 "2012-10-17T16:36:11Z")
> [@WolfpackJeep](#): > > The sales lady kept trying to get her to take out her cell phone, saying that they just needed to “see the email”. I repeatedly explained to her that my mother A) does not have a smart phone; B) does not have a data plan; and C) does not have an IMAP email account. At that point, I would’ve just said, “okay, here,” and handed over the cell phone to enjoy the flailing. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525/40 "2012-10-17T17:49:06Z")
Is it possible for me to think this is both rude and also think folks need to relax a bit? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-transaction-is-now-over-now-stfu/616525.md?page=3)