Laziness or Poor Attitude

Sunday - November 8, 2009

Very seldom will I write about something that bothers me that I know is out of my control. But today's topic has been bothering me for a very long time. Saturday's experience was the straw that broke the camel's back!! Back during the time when my sciatica was giving me fits, and I was finally able to go to the store, I starting noticing how many times the customers were having to place the bagged groceries into their buggies to wheel out to their cars!

Some may think or say, "Well, they put the groceries into the buggy, so what's the big deal about putting the bagged groceries into the buggy?" The weight of the bags might be part of the problem, but I thinking that didn't the cashiers (or a bagger) use to do this for the customer? My first trip to the store after my back was starting to mend really frustrated me. One of our local stores had installed the "lazy-Susan" style of bag holders that I began to notice that the service to help the customer had started to diminish. Apparently, (or so I've been told by employees of these businesses) that with this style of bag holders, the cashier is NOT responsible for placing the bagged groceries into the buggy. They just twirl it around so the customer can do it. Hmmmm - prices are higher and service to the customer has diminished!!! Most days this would not bother me, however on days my back is not feeling the best, it does bother me. Chances are Bill will be at home to help carry the bags into the house! What about all those senior citizens who are in the 70's, 80's, and even 90's? Are they required to do the work for these cashiers?

I have actually noticed how many senior citizens are placing their bags into the buggy. No help from the cashiers or any of those standing around talking with other employees. There was a day when as a customer, all that we needed to do was buy the items, and then worry about getting them out of car and into the house. Most stores had the cashiers or the young men hired as baggers to place the groceries in the bags and then place them in the car. Most of the boys who did this received a small token as a tip! It was well worth it to the customer to have this kind of service.

But alas, no longer do most of the grocery establishment offer this type of service. Too many times the attitude of the cashier is one of "I really don't want to be here," which gives us the impression this person is rude. At one time, an employee with this type of attitude would have been let go. That is not the case today.

After taking Mom to her Ladies' Circle Meeting Saturday, we stopped at the store. We need to remember that we had just completed working HARD for the last two days in the church's rummage sale. The days of preparing for it should also be considered when thinking about how tired we were. Mom had a buggy for her purchases, and I had one for some things for me to take home to Bill and Toby! We had no problem shopping. Most of you know that Mom's eye-sight is not good. Therefore, we (whomever takes her to the store) will unload her groceries (after all she is 89) and then use her debit card to pay for them. No problem, we are helping Mom. The clerk saw that I was trying to unload Mom's buggy, and then was trying to unload my buggy as quickly as possible so I would be ready to pay for Mom's. She knew they were two separate orders - I placed the bar between our orders. I got my order out before she had complete rung Mom's up on the cash register - I was fast! :):)

What really irritated me was that while I was paying with Mom's debit card, this cashier just stood there not offering to place Mom's bags in the buggy. If she couldn't have placed them in the buggy, then she needed to call for some one to come and help - she did neither!! Therefore, in order for her to ring up my order, I had to quickly as possible pull Mom's bags off the "lazy-Susan" so my groceries could be placed in a bag. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr - I was out of breath from trying to unload two buggies, pay for two separate orders, and placed the bagged groceries in the buggy - then load them into the car. The cashier was NOT friendly and considerate - especially towards Mom - I guess that's what really irritated me!!! It is one thing to treat me that way, BUT not my mother!!!!!!

I will confess - I was extremely tired from the work I had put in with the rummage sale! But, I try to put on a friendly face, because I know these cashiers have to deal with the public which can really been tough at times. There should be mutual respect from both parties - the cashier and the customer! I have seen some of the cashiers/employees verbally abused for apparently no just cause. So I really try to be as friendly and cooperative as possible when I go to the store!However, some of these cashiers appears to be "lazy" or are they just harboring a poor attitude because they have to work??? I really don't know! But I do know, that I steer away from some of these cashiers, and go over to one who has a smile on their face, even if their line is the longest - there might be a reason for these long lines! :):)

This posting is definitely NOT about all who works at the stores or are cashiers - it is about those who are rude, lazy, and very unfriendly to the paying customer. If they are that unhappy with their job - then get a new one. If they can't get a new job, then try your best to enjoy what you're doing as long as you can! I do not and will not frequent these business unless I really have too because of the attitude and the poor treatment from some of their employees! I have also heard from friends that they had noticed these poor attitudes and do not frequent these businesses as often as they have in the past! Is this called boycotting??????

A smile goes a long way and will make you and all around you a happier person!

Sorry for venting - but had I not been there with Mom (which would never happen, because one of us has to always take her) would this cashier have made her bag her groceries?????