Checkout etiquette

[trishka]

Woman turned away by Sainsbury's supermarket assistant for being on her mobile phone while at checkout

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-29390354.html


What are your thoughts on a cashier refusing to serve someone who is on their cell phone? I personally find it rude to be on the phone while checking out, just as I find a cashier who talks to a colleague the entire time just as rude. I understand that things come up but I believe it is to your benefit to pay attention. What if something doesn't scan properly or they accidentally scan it twice or the code is the wrong one?

[cookoo]

if her talking on phone while checking out was holding up the line and her volume is high to the point of annoying, then yes it is rude. otherwise, i don't see why she would be refused service.

[Carlotta]

Oooooooo my pet peeve. I find it incredibly rude that someone is on the phone while standing in line ANYWHERE! Unless it is an emergency, (in which case you shouldn't be standing in a line anyway) tell your caller that you will call back. I do NOT want to hear about the argument you had with your best friend/boyfriend/next door neighbour, your most recent doctor's appointment, how drunk you were at the party last night, or any other aspect of your life. NO ONE is so important that they cannot wait 5 minutes to make or receive a phone call. Not to mention that it is very rude to the cashier. I was in a store recently where the cashier just moved on to the next person in line because the person wouldn't get off the phone. When they complained, the cashier just said "Oh, I thought it must be very important for you to be on the phone right now, so I didn't want to interrupt. So just let me know when you are done and I will look after you". LOVED it.
It really irritates me when I see people sitting across from each other in restaurants and not talking and just playing on their phones. You wouldn't sit at dinner with a magazine covering your face, so why would you sit and ignore the person opposite you by looking down at your phone.
I just think that common courtesy seems to be disappearing and, once again, people seem to only care about themselves and somehow feel like everything should revolve around them.

[SassyAshley]

This drives me insane. I worked in our local pizza ship for years and the number of people who could not get off their phones for 2 minutes to place and pay for their order was ridiculous. I know sell building supplies and again when working at our counter people who can not get off the phone well they order. I tend to go to the next customer and tell them when they are done their conversation I will serve them.

[nadiabreckon]

Ugh, I also find it incredibly RUDE! A few days ago, I was at SDM and the lady ahead of me was on her phone. Cashier was nice to her, made a point of saying please and thank you, have a nice day, etc... When the lady was gone, that's when she told me that one day, she'll tell the customers how rude they're being. I work in customer service too, and when somebody comes up to pay after their meal and they're on their phone, I make a habit of speaking to them loudly then usual, just to make my point across. Seriously, it takes 2 seconds to hand me the money and get your change, tell the person on the other end of the line to wait a minute..

[Shwa Girl]

I had a long line up at my til once.
A guy was on his phone. Usually I greet the customer and ask about bags etc. I even told them if there was something on special with coupon.

Anyway, he was on the phone so long, he did not notice that I was finished and was waiting for his payment. I did not tell him the total because I would never, ever be rude and interrupt his telephone call. No.

I turned to the customers behind him, in the long line, and apologized for the wait and I would be with them as soon as I could.

I checked out the next two customers with lightening speed that phone guy did not have a chance to collect his bags in time. Each customer glared at him. Boy was his face red!

[Chantel]

Man I wish I could refuse service to people on their phones. If you get a call while checking out that's one thing, when your transaction has already started. I'm especially sympathetic if it's a kid on the other end. But it's entirely another to sit on the phone and gab and not give the cashier the time of day.

Every once in a while a customer will be talking on their phone, completely ignoring me, while I ring through their couple items. Then they wave their card at me to pay (no sorry I can't tell what your card is from the back while it's flapping in the air) and then when I hand them the receipt or put it on their items, they'll tilt the phone back, lean in and go "Uhm, can I have a BAG?" as if I'm the stupidest person ever. Sorry, I didn't know you wanted your 2 items in bags. Or they'll just wave their hand around the bagging area and look at me like I'm braindead and apparently can't read their minds that they want a bag (surprise, I can't!). Then occasionally I get one who goes "Uhhhhh can I have that DOUBLE bagged, I am wal-KING" with the rudest inflection ever, after I'm all done with them and have moved on.

If you hadn't been on the phone, you'd have been asked if you wanted a bag, double bag, are you walking etc. and had the chance to tell me if I hadn't asked. But no, talking to Sarah about what kind of lasagna noodles you like or your hair appointment is far more important than spending 30 seconds off the phone so you can get what you want.

[Shwa Girl]

Then occasionally I get one who goes "Uhhhhh can I have that DOUBLE bagged, I am wal-KING" with the rudest inflection ever, after I'm all done with them and have moved on.

Oooh. I feel your pain. Having to double bag heavy grocery bags after the fact. At least they could have told you before starting the order.

[torontogal12]

Haaa I remember rude people like this when I worked cash. I would interrupt them and loudly say "how will you be paying!" I gotta do my job and they're holding up the line, right? They can't complain about an interruption like that. I found that the people behind these phone talkers in line would sort it out with a piece of their mind lol.

Man I wish I could refuse service to people on their phones. If you get a call while checking out that's one thing, when your transaction has already started. I'm especially sympathetic if it's a kid on the other end. But it's entirely another to sit on the phone and gab and not give the cashier the time of day.

Every once in a while a customer will be talking on their phone, completely ignoring me, while I ring through their couple items. Then they wave their card at me to pay (no sorry I can't tell what your card is from the back while it's flapping in the air) and then when I hand them the receipt or put it on their items, they'll tilt the phone back, lean in and go "Uhm, can I have a BAG?" as if I'm the stupidest person ever. Sorry, I didn't know you wanted your 2 items in bags. Or they'll just wave their hand around the bagging area and look at me like I'm braindead and apparently can't read their minds that they want a bag (surprise, I can't!). Then occasionally I get one who goes "Uhhhhh can I have that DOUBLE bagged, I am wal-KING" with the rudest inflection ever, after I'm all done with them and have moved on.

If you hadn't been on the phone, you'd have been asked if you wanted a bag, double bag, are you walking etc. and had the chance to tell me if I hadn't asked. But no, talking to Sarah about what kind of lasagna noodles you like or your hair appointment is far more important than spending 30 seconds off the phone so you can get what you want.

[trulyblessed]

I was in a store yesterday and they have a very large sign at the counter saying "We will be glad to serve you as soon as you are off your phone" I asked the cashier if they actually enforce that, but she said they are not allowed to say anything to the customer, it is only there to hopefully get thru to them. Then why bother with the sign, as we all know, most people do not read signs? (one of my biggest pet peeves is when rules/signs etc are not enforced)

[trishka]

Then why bother with the sign, as we all know, most people do not read signs? (one of my biggest pet peeves is when rules/signs etc are not enforced)

Like the 12 items or less signs at express lanes? That annoys me too.

[Ciel]

Trulyblessed, give that store a nice comment card/letter supporting that sign-perhaps the sign could say "..when you are done with your phone conversation" because now e-coupon apps exist, thus phones are used! I never liked cellphone use in the video store aisles where some callers just did not give a d*** about other customers pondering quietly over movie choices.

I don't know if a large pictogram would help customers who don't read signs. Have noticed in personal e-mails that some provided information does not get read by recipients who ask me for the very same thing in follow up e-mails. Not going to pull my hair out but one day, I'll start to tally the time such exchanges take up.
Am waiting for Hamilton area stores to post "Our store employees deserve your full attention at the cash desk or you'll be waiting LONGER for service if talking on the phone" signs. Noisy buses don't seem to ward off cellphone talkers either...