Your Cashier's Not Being An Asshole

Nothing is more cringe worthy than walking into your favorite place or having shopped a little too hard only to find that the checkout line is snaking through the whole store. The agonizing wait. The person behind you that stands just a little too close and every time you take one step forward they take two.

Now imagine standing on the other side of the register as the cashier, trying to work as fast and hard as you can knowing that the line is snaking through the store. Granted, by the time you reach the register we may be a little exasperated and tired and maybe even a little cranky, but if we come off with full douche bag, asshole-like behavior, it's probably because you aren't making our job any easier.

I've worked in customer service for over nine years now and it is probably one of the most taxing jobs on your mental and emotional health. I've worked in food twice (fast food and a coffee shop), which is a monster of its own, and retail at three different businesses and cities. Customer service is not for the weak or faint of heart and I applaud anyone who works in the field.

From personal experience, I can assure you that if you do one (or more) of the following, the cashier isn't the asshole. It's you.

1. Being On the Phone

As a cashier, we have a lot of heat coming down on us from the managers to make sure that we are delivering the party-line to each and every customer. From the time you arrive at the counter to the time you leave, there are at least three or four things that we are required to say before you go. And there is nothing more irritating than having to compete with a phone call. We either aren't heard and constantly asked to repeat ourselves or we're confused when you bounce back and forth between your phone call and the cashier, not knowing what is being said to us.

There is also nothing more frustrating than if you were on the phone the entire time and wait until after everything is rang and bagged to tell us that you wanted separate transactions or needed things bagged a certain way. It's not only time consuming for you, but all of the people waiting in line.

Having said being on the phone, this doesn't only mean being on a phone call. This also includes texting, face timing, using social media, etc. I assure you, whatever you were doing can wait the less than two minutes you will be at the register. Please and thank you.

2. Placing Your Money On the Counter

You're probably thinking, well we're in the middle of a pandemic and people are worried about human-to-human contact. Some people probably do in fact put their money on the counter because of this, but I can assure you the majority of them don't. This has been a problem far before COVID became one.

I know you've probably done it a time or two before and weren't even thinking about it (I've witnessed my mom do this countless times and I'm desperately trying to break her of the habit). It's not that this is time consuming, but it just comes off very rude, especially if the cashier is patiently holding out their hand to receive your money.

The thing that kills me most is when the customer sets their money down on the counter, looks at the cashier's awaiting hand, back to their money and then proceed to slide it across the counter. PLEASE do not do this. And if you do, don't expect the cashier to then place your change in your awaiting hand. It sucks, doesn't it?

Also, friendly reminder, your local shopping place isn't a strip club. Don't be throwing your bills on the counter. No one appreciates that.

If you are setting your cash on the counter because you're afraid of human-to-human contact, please stop using cash. You should be less worried about the last time your cashier washed their hands and worry more about where those dollar bills have been.

3. Know Your Budget

One of the many reasons why you've been standing in line so long is probably because someone in front of you has gotten more than they can chew or they aren't prepared with their payment. Please make sure that by the time you get to the checkout line you have your money with you so you won't have to run out to your car. If you know you will have to transfer money or unlock a card in order to use it, please do so before getting to the register or make sure you are completing that action while the cashier rings you up.

PLEASE know how much money you have. If you set a budget DON'T GO OVER IT. I cannot tell you the number of times I've had a customer come up with $200+ of merchandise and tell me to let them know when they reach $50. A big way to make sure that you stay within your budget is to look at the price tag. Don't wait and let it be a surprise when you get to the register. Also, when you see the price tag of $9.99, that doesn't mean $9. It means $10. If you're going to add up your prices always round up. And most importantly, remember the addition of tax to the price.

4. You Aren't Being As Helpful As You Think You Are

Most cashiers appreciate it when you help them take the hangers off or if you arrive at the counter with the hangers already removed, but make sure you're listening to your cashier. If they say something along the lines of "Oh, it's ok I can remove the hangers for you." It's their way of saying, "Please stop. I have my own system of doing things." They aren't being unappreciative, sometimes it's just easier if we do it by our self.

If you do remove the hangers, despite the cashier asking you otherwise, make sure you place them to the side in a neat pile. Also, don't just throw the clothes onto the counter. A large, entangled mess is not being helpful. If anything, it will probably take your cashier more time to finish your transaction.

We've all had that one time when the cashier accidentally left the censor on that one shirt and you didn't find out until you got home, but that doesn't mean you have to point the censor out on every item every time to your cashier. We know it's there. We'll take care of it. We promise.

Just because you can fit everything on the counter at once, doesn't mean you should. No one wants to see your impressive Tetris skills. It can also feel very overwhelming to a cashier. On the opposite side of the spectrum, please do not put one item on the counter at time. Place things down neatly and organized. If it's looking crowded, give the cashier a moment to clear some space for you.

5. Not Knowing What You Want

If you don't know what you want, please don't come up to the registers until you are ready. I understand that you don't want to lose your spot in line, but just wave the people behind you to go forward if you honest to god don't know what you want. You will take up more time by standing at the register debating than if you keep the line moving.

If you have been standing in line for a long time (five plus minutes) make sure you don't waste that time. Go through the items that you have or study the menu. Don't wait to ask the cashier for their opinion. Their tastes are probably different from yours and they will tell you whatever you need to hear to get you to either buy everything or get you to make a decision to get you through as fast as possible. We don't really care which kind of sandwich you're thinking of and why or if the blue dress looks better than the pink one.

Having said this, if while in line you change your mind on some items in your cart PLEASE wait until you get to the register to give them to the cashier. Just politely inform the cashier that you no longer want those items I assure you we would much rather have you give us all of the things you don't want vs. you randomly setting down those things where ever you can find a place where it might fit. Let us help you.

6. Don't Be a Karen*

*(I don't mean any disrespect or offense to anyone who is named Karen and hates the memes)

UUUUGGGGGHHHH. Please don't ask for the manager, let the cashier ask for the manager if there is an actual issue that needs to be resolved. I assure you, it's most likely not the cashier's fault. They are just trying to follow the protocols set forth by corporate. The rules may not seem fair to you, but we have to follow them. Yes, the manager is the only one who can make the exception, but that doesn't mean you should abuse that power.

There is nothing more embarrassing or degrading than doing your job correctly and watching a grown adult throw a tantrum just to have the manager appease you.

Remember, don't look down on your cashiers. They are providing the service that you are currently abusing. If there weren't cashiers you wouldn't get your tacos or that super cute to die for shirt that you definitely didn't need.

7. If You're Going Out, PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK PROPERLY

I understand that we are all so tired of this pandemic and having to wear masks. As a worker we have to wear our masks all day long. The only times I'm allowed to remove my mask is if I step outside or eating something in the breakroom. The rest of the time I have to wear it. Even when the store is closed. Even when there is no one around me.

Please change your phone settings from needing facial recognition. There is no reason why you should be pulling down your mask. If I ask you to repeat yourself, that doesn't mean you have to pull down your mask, it means I need you to speak up.

If we ask you to pull your mask back up or ask for social distancing, please don't go off on us for being paranoid. We've been told by management and corporate to remind customers to do these things. And even if we are paranoid about COVID, don't tell us to go home and not work. Most of us have returned to work, not by choice. We need the money. So we need to work. Help protect us and yourself and the other customers. Wear your mask from the top of your nose to the bottom of your chin. Please and thank you.

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So now you know. If you've found yourself constantly displeased with your customer service, it might in fact be you. Make the change. Make the world a better place.

From all of us in retail,

Thank you.