Debate: Should the cashier make small talk or just ring you up?

I got stuck behind a lady at Publix last Tuesday who was chatting with the cashier about her cat’s surgery for a solid 5 minutes. My ice cream was melting in my cart. But I get it, some people need that human connection at the register. On the flip side, I’ve had cashiers who don’t say a word and I’m out in 90 seconds flat. Which side are you on? Does a quick hello bother you, or do you prefer they just scan and move?

3 comments

3 Comments

grant8262mo ago

the real trick is training cashiers to read body language, like if you're unloading your cart like you're trying to defuse a bomb clearly you don't wanna talk but someone lingering with their wallet still in their purse is fishing for conversation

kim_hart72mo ago

grant826, I am right there with you on the "lingering with the wallet" thing. It's such a subtle way of asking for a chat without having to actually say it. I wish more places taught that kind of read, it would save everyone a lot of awkward energy.

alex_hall9126d ago

Is it really about training cashiers though? I think it's more about just paying attention to people in general. You can tell pretty quick if someone wants to chat or not by watching their eyes and how they're holding their body. A cashier who's been doing it long enough picks up on that stuff naturally. The lingering wallet thing is a good signal, but it's not the only one. Some folks just take forever to find their card and they don't want a conversation at all, they're just clumsy.