creepy encounters with cashiers

[sonak]

Again, the customer is not there to be friendly to the cashier.

The customer is there to make a purchase. Talking on a cellphone during that purchase and/or being rude to the cashier can make it more difficult to complete it. Therefore, it stands to reason that the talking should be kept to a minimum.

He's not being paid to watch some idiot talk on their phone.

I don't know what this means. He's being paid to faciliate the exchange of a customer's money for products/services, and to provide customer service when needed.

In the case described, he facilitated the transaction and there was no service needed. So he was getting paid for doing exactly what his job required.

Where does this idea that the customer has a "responsibility" to the cashier come from? It's not an equal relationship. Nor is boss to employee. Sometimes, that's just the way it is. It doesn't mean that customers should be rude.

 

[Kestra]

It seems like people aren't even arguing from point of responsibility, but respect vs disrespect. Pingfah and a few others simply don't consider it disrespectful, provided that it doesn't make the transaction more difficult. Those saying that it's disrespectful seem to be making the assumption that a cell phone call is automatically hindering the exchange and making things worse for the cashier.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

If someone calls me as I'm about to buy something I don't stop talking. All I have to do is hand over the money or card which is not hindered by being on the phone. If the cashier misses out on asking me how my day was I'm sure they'll get over it. I'm not there to talk to the cashier, I'm there to buy something.

 

[Nerys Myk]

For me its about the other customers. They shouldn't have to wait, because the person ahead of them in line is oblivious to the fact he needs to participate in the transaction occurring.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

I multi task like a boss.

 

[sonak]

If someone calls me as I'm about to buy something I don't stop talking. All I have to do is hand over the money or card which is not hindered by being on the phone. If the cashier misses out on asking me how my day was I'm sure they'll get over it. I'm not there to talk to the cashier, I'm there to buy something.

exactly


I haven't heard a customer yet say "excuse me,---- but I've got to get off the phone to make this purchase." If there was an issue during the transaction( a price discrepancy, coupon issue, etc.) then I would think the customer would just tell the person on the line to hang on a sec.

I just don't get where the idea of "owing" respect or courtesy to the cashier comes from. Certainly one shouldn't go out of the way to be rude, but it's not like a customer goes to a store to chat with a cashier.

 

[Nerys Myk]

^^Well I had a few chatty ones in my day. You try your best to move them along, especially when there are other people waiting.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

If someone calls me as I'm about to buy something I don't stop talking. All I have to do is hand over the money or card which is not hindered by being on the phone. If the cashier misses out on asking me how my day was I'm sure they'll get over it.

Yes, they will. But, on the other hand, they may need to ask you a business question: Do you want it all in one bag, or two? Credit or debit? Did you notice that if you buy three of these the fourth one is free?

I used to occasionally talk on the phone while I was shopping. Then I ran into a couple cashiers who seemed hesitant to interrupt my phone conversation or were confused as to when I was speaking to them and when I was speaking to the person on the phone. So I stopped.

Come to think of it, when I'm shopping with friends, we tend to stop talking when we get to the cashier. It's not just phones.

 

[MacLeod]

Isn't it considered rude/impolite to interrupt someone who is making a telephone call?

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Usually. But in the situation we're talking about, shouldn't the cashier take precedence over the phone call?!

 

[Avon]

worked in a shop. people used phones while paying. i never needed their full undivided attention to scan stuff and take their money.

don't understand this fuss, probably just been jumped on by old people that like ranting about how they get no respect.

 

[Captain_Nick]

I just ignore customers until they get off the phone.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Must not be your money then

 

[Gov Kodos]

The job would be great if it wasn't for the f#$&ing customers.

 

[sonak]

I just ignore customers until they get off the phone.

you're lucky that you don't get a bunch of complaints. I'd think customers would get pissed off at being deliberately ignored by someone whose job it is to serve customers.

 

[Kirby]

^ There is a sign at my local coffee shop that says something like: "We understand if you're on your phone. It's probably important, so we'll assist other customers until you are done."

It seems to work...

 

[Tora Ziyal]

^ I like that.

 

[RoJoHen]

I'm amused/amazed at the idea that the customer and cashier have some kind of mutual responsibility to be polite to each other.

I think people have a mutual responsibility to be polite to each other, regardless of their roles in a particular situation.

 

[MacLeod]

I'm amused/amazed at the idea that the customer and cashier have some kind of mutual responsibility to be polite to each other.

I think people have a mutual responsibility to be polite to each other, regardless of their roles in a particular situation.

Quite right.

 

[MacLeod]

^ There is a sign at my local coffee shop that says something like: "We understand if you're on your phone. It's probably important, so we'll assist other customers until you are done."

It seems to work...

^ I like that.

As do I.