Things I have learned as a cashier

Mirrored from Oh Clementine. You can leave any comments there.

Comfortable footwear is everything. You will not survive an 8-hour shift if you're cramming your feet into tight shoes.

When they call someone to the damage room, they really mean the bathroom. I had never noticed anyone saying that before, but now that I know what it means I hear it all the time.

When they are selling reduced fruits, it's because the fruit is rotten. This could probably be figured out with a grain of common sense, but I still think it's sneaky for them not to say it's rotten!

People do not tend to understand what "void" means.

People either don't read their coupons or like to try to scam you. Guess what? We read the coupons.

Veal cutlets feel very squishy and disgusting.

Although 20 hours of training feels like overkill to me, some people could use at least 30. When you're typing in something with a reduced price, you do not need the code for that item. I got that the first time; some people need to have it explained to them 5 or more.

When you're actually checking items out, all the codes you've taken hours to memorise suddenly disappear from your consciousness.

People do not know how to read signs that clearly state what's on sale and what isn't.

People don't understand that when a) the gate is closed, b) there is a sign saying "next available lane, please", c) the people at the cash are not in uniform, and d) there is paper spread across the conveyer belt, THE LANE IS NOT OPEN. Seriously. I have already had to tell at least 50 people that the lane is closed, and I've only had 3 training shifts.

Lemons are 4053. This is one code that I will not forget, for whatever reason.

Similarly, clementines are 4450. However, I think it's quite obvious why I know this.

Bags cost 5 cents. They have always cost 5 cents where I work, and there has been a 5 cent tax on plastic bags in my province for quite awhile now. However, a surprisingly large amount of people seem outraged when you charge them 25 cents for 5 bags.

People do not know how to swipe a credit card.

People don't understand that if you leave your item at the cash without telling the cashier, it's fair game. The cashier has too much to worry about to notice your bag of lemons. Somebody else may take them, yes. If you don't want them to be purchased by somebody else, take them with you when you go back into the store.

People have a lot of pennies that they want to get rid of.

In short, most people who shop at supermarkets are apparently not that smart. I just tell myself that for every second I deal with them, I make a tiny fraction of a dollar. I am also gaining ~valuable work experience~ so that I'll be able to get a halfway decent job (i.e. not at a supermarket) in the (hopefully) near future.