Supermarket cashier chit chat

jtr2803

Do you enjoy a little chat or would you rather be left to get on with your packing?

I had possible the most awkward cashier conversation EVER today and whilst normally I don't mind a little bit of chat, today has put me off for life and completely reaffirmed why I do my shopping online!

Was happily packing away all my things in local-ish Asda this afternoon with my twelve year old and had been partaking in a minimal amount of 'chat' with the cashier when she picked up some PJ bottoms I bought as a gift and then told me she has to tie a knot in the leg of her trousers - I didn't know if she was joking and was just completely puzzled by the remark, she then told me she only had one leg and proceeded to show me the knot she has to tie and tell me all about the 'alive and kicking' tattoo she has on the stump........????

I honestly have never felt so uncomfortable, my daughter had to walk away because she didn't know what to say. This isn't an issue with peoples disabilities, my younger brother was only born with one hand so we are completely aware of such things, but more about not knowing this person from Adam and it not really being relevant....was I supposed to ask how it happened, be sympathetic or ??? I was a little gobsmacked really.

How would others have reacted or has anyone had anything similar/worse?

And just to really make my day I went to wrap up the trousers and despite being on an 8-10 hanger they are a 12-14...now I will have to go back :mad:

kiss_me_now9

Asda seem to be the 'worst' for making their TAs chat with you. A couple of weeks ago I was in my local Asda and the couple in front of me were totally ignoring the poor TAs attempts to make polite conversation, and once she'd finished loading the stuff in the trolley the woman huffed that she was going to sit in the car and stomped off leaving her husband to pay for everything.

Yours does sound ridiculously awkward

themull1

I was in Mark and sparks the other day and the cashier started chatting about Jimmy Saville... i didnt know what to say!!

meritaten

yes, what is it about Adsa that the cashiers feel they have to impart details of thier life to you?
Go to Aldi - you are through that till so fast you barely get beyond Hi, how are you?

gingin_2

It really doesn't bother me in the slightest.

I've had surreal conversations in many places, as long as it's not offensive ( which I don't see yours as being so) then I am happy to let them waffle on for all of the three minutes it might take. If it makes their day a bit brighter then you've done a good deed

nearlyrich

Forced conversations that sound scripted are quite awkward and not enjoyable for either participant, I am a natural chatter but if I am not getting the signals from my chattee that they are interested in the conversation I shut up or move on. I quite like a chat with the checkout staff they are often quite interesting not sure I would want to get that personal though!

valkirn

So you'd prefer a sullen non speaking slam it all in a bag and get rid of you as quick as possible type of cashier??? Neat will put it to my manager the quicker we can get rid of the customers the quicker we can get back to our conversations while doing all the other jobs that need doing.

I work as a cashier in a supermarket, but i'd like to think i was a pretty good judge of character you can usually tell the people who will chat with you as opposed to those who don't those who don't i usually just smile at ask the questions i need to ask and send them on their merry way.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

i dont mind politeness, hi how are you, have you found everything you looking for, is there anything else you wanted but couldnt find, but what gets on my nurves in ANY shop, is when the cashiers talk amoungst themselfs and ignore you standing there!

jtr2803

I think that the subject probably plays a big part in it, I had a great laugh with a perfume counter attendant yesterday as we were talking about male celebs but it was completely impersonal.

Gingin, you are right, it wasn't 'offensive' but I just can't comprehend why she even brought it up, if we had been talking about disabilities I could understand but we weren't. I am normally quite quick off the mark and also a natural chatter but this threw me completely and I didn't want to cause upset or offence but at the same time I couldn't stand their in silence....oh to have picked another check out!

Rockporkchop

Wow that's awkward.

About a month ago I was on my way home from work and popped into Tesco for a few bits. I was wearing a pair of brand new black knee high boots.

The Tesco cashier said she loved my boots and asked where I got them. Flattered, I told her. Then she said "thanks very much, that's great - it's just soooo difficult to get nice boots for fat calves"!!

jtr2803

valkirn wrote: »

So you'd prefer a sullen non speaking slam it all in a bag and get rid of you as quick as possible type of cashier???

I haven't said that at all.....I don't think there was any need to jump to that conclusion. I am more than happy to smile and say hello but I don't need to know any personal details and nor do I want to give any.

I was also once asked how much my engagement ring cost by a cashier in a clothes shop, she apparently liked it and wanted to tell her boyfriend all about it!! I smiled slyly and said I didn't know!