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Ok, so I'm hearing impaired. I have it right on my name tag that says, "I'm hearing impaired" directly below my name. I work at Fred Meyer, a major company that sells a bit of everything - clothes, garden items, lights, hardware, food, furniture, etc.
I have customers that come through my lane all the time that speak quietly or mumble. So I politely ask, "I'm sorry, what was that you said?" If I still can't understand them I ask again, politely "I'm sorry, what was that?" while trying to make my name tag obvious (like looking down at it and adjusting it). I really don't want to just point at it and make the customer feel dumb. I hate it when people point at things and make me feel stupid, so I try to avoid that for others.
Anyway, naturally after I've politely asked for them to repeat it the second time, they get impatient and upset. I wear my hair up - my hearing aid is plainly visible. So I turn my head, putting my hearing aid in their direction and I ask again. They never notice it and continue to treat me like I'm some sack of dirt.
And then when they do notice it. They treat me like I'm some special needs kid and try to tell me how to do my job. "Bag this item this way, meat doesn't go with grapes, I want the hot stuff seperate from the ice cream". Uh, hello!? Not only have I been trained to do all of that already but it's kind of COMMON SENSE! I may be hearing impaired, but I'm not stupid. I have an IQ of 135 for crying out loud! And then while I'm working, they take the bags out from under me that aren't fully filled and put it in the cart. How rude. It doesn't help me move any faster, it just slows me down. And guess what they say when I'm done? "You did a good job!" in a voice like they're talking to a toddler.
Ignorance Sucks
I don't remember this entire transaction, but I do remember that this lady was being very rude to me, sneering at me and talking to me very very slowly like I was a two year old just because I had asked a couple of times what she said (she didn't notice my name tag). Most of the times she just yelled at me and commanded me to do things like I was her slave. There was no respect at all. At the end of the transaction as she was leaving, I had the guts to say, "By the way, I'm hearing impaired" in the same kind of voice she was using to me. Guess what she said, "I KNEW YOU WERE." Well, if you did - then why were you getting impatient when I didn't understand what you said - and politely asking you to repeat it? Most people have a little extra patience and try to speak clearer. Not more unclear. Geez.
Clothes and Security
And then we have the customers that buy a lot of clothes with security tags on them. I always put the clothing items with security on them behind me and bag the ones that don't. And then while I'm waiting for their credit/debit/check to run through (which really only takes like 5 seconds, maybe less - not really enough time to do much else but wait for it), they almost always say, "Those clothes have tags on them". Well, YES, I KNOW that, that's why I put them there and not in the bag. I don't have 10 hands, I can't do everything at once. I'm waiting for you to sign your slip so I can compare your card, and give it back to you so you don't have a hernia about getting your card back.
So yeah, being hearing impaired and a cashier sucks.
Cell Phones
It seems that all of America has cell phones these days. Which is all fine and dandy, except when you're at the checkout, talking to someone and staring at magazines and not paying attention. So I'm working away letting the customer talk. Then s/he gets off the phone halfway through the transaction. "Well, I want paper." Oh, ok. Fine. Annoying, but whatever. So I take the plastic bagged items and put them in a paper bag, plastic bag and all. "No, I don't want the plastic bag at all." What!? So you're going to make me take them OUT and bag them in paper just because you weren't paying attention and talking on the phone? I can't stand there and wait for you to finish your conversation, I have a job to do and people waiting in line! And I'll say that again, you expect me to rebag all these items while people are waiting in line? There goes at least five minutes. Now I'm going to have grumpy customers mad at ME because I was taking a long time because of YOU and they're going to blame ME for the wait. And anyway, why can't you just take the plastic bag out for yourself after the transaction is over and throw them away? That's where they're going to end up anyway after I finish rebagging for you. (I've actually had some customers smart enough that have said, "Plastic bag is fine, I'll just throw them out when I get home." YES! That's what you're supposed to say.)
Meat and Produce Don't Mix
I once had a customer come through wanting paper. Hey! She actually asked before I started. Ok, there's some meat and a lot of produce. I pack the meat in plastic and wrap it and put it in the paper bag. "NO I DON'T WANT ANY PLASTIC AT ALL!" "But it's meat, do you want it mixed with produce?" "I DON'T CARE I JUST DON'T WANT PLASTIC" Ok fine, so I put the meat in one bag (which only fills up like 1/10 of it) and start to put the produce in another. I thought that was pretty nice of me considering I could just mix it with her produce and maybe get her sick. And then I hear, "NO I DON'T WANT SO MANY PAPER BAGS! FILL IT ALL IN ONE BAG." By then I'm royally pissed that she is so ignorant about that fact that I'm trying to accommodate her wishes while still trying to keep her alive and well. For all I know, they could be a family that doesn't wash their produce. So I take out the items, throw away one of the used bags, and start piling it all in one bag. I secretly hoped she would die from this. And I even felt better later knowing that if she did get sick, it's her own fault. I tried to warn her.
Cold Medicines
This happened after my store had just recently implemented the "two cold medicines a purchase only" policy. I don't remember the ingredient in them - but I do know that it's used to create meth. Our computer knows what medicines have them and what doesn't. So when we try to ring up a third it has a message that says "Not allowed" or something.
Anyway, a customer comes in wanting to buy four medicines. Two are for day and two are for night. All four have that particular ingredient. I ring up two and the third came up "Not Allowed". I glanced at the items and realized what was going on. This is how the conversation went:
Me: "Ma'am, you can only buy two medicines, I can't sell you four."
SC: "But I did buy two, two for day and two for night."
Me: "No I mean, I can only sell you two TOTAL. Would you like to buy one day and one night?"
(Obviously the customer is not listening.)
SC: "But I did buy two, I have two for day and two for night."
Me: "We have a new policy that I can only sell you two only with this *blank* ingredient as it's used to make meth. But I can't sell you four of them. Would you like to take one day and one night?"
SC: BUT I DID BUY TWO! I BOUGHT TWO FOR DAY AND TWO FOR NIGHT!"
(Yeah, obviously still not listening.)
Me: One moment please.
(I call the manager and manager walks over.)
Me to the manager: "This customer is trying to buy four medicines and I've already tried to explain that she can only buy two due to our new policy."
Manager to customer: "Our new policy only allows customers to purchase two cold medicines with this particular ingredient. She can only sell you two of the four your have."
SC: "Oh. Well, then I want one day and one night."
Uh, HELLO!? I just got finished saying exactly what you and the manager just said. More than once!
Old Customers
I had a mid-60's woman come through. Really not that old but she just had surgery so she liked everything light. She wanted paper bags inside the plastic, ok, that's fine. So I finished all the packing, she paid, and then started checking the bags to see if they were light enough. This one bag only had ONE item in it - about a 1.5 liter of juice. She picks it up and says right away, "Oh that's too heavy can you remove some items from it?" I say, "I can't there's only one item it it", and then took out the juice and showed it to her. She said, "Yes, put that in another bag." "But this is the only item that was in the bag". "I WANT ANOTHER BAG." Ok, fine, geez. So I keep the empty bag in the cart and put it in a new bag. She goes through them again and AGAIN she says the juice bag is too heavy. Before she can say another word after that I call the manager. Manager comes over and asks what the problem is. She says, "This bag is too heavy, I already asked her (she points and glares at me) to make my bags light and this bag isn't light. (My manager looks in the "heavy" bag and sees the juice.) "There's only one item in this bag ma'am, this juice." "Oh ok, can I get another bag for that?" "Ma'am, this is the only item in it." (And then proceeds to put the bag upside down and shake it to show there's nothing else in it.) The customer practically went in shock and freaked out a second because she thought items were going to spill everywhere. Then she looked confused. And then she FINALLY got it. "Oh there's no other items in there? Well, ok then. I guess that's fine."
Reciepts Aren't Called Coupons
This happened when I first started as a cashier. I finished ringing up all her items and she handed me some coupons. I rang the coupons and then she gave me her payment. There was some problem I don't remember, but I somehow ended up putting the receipt on the desk area - next to the cash register and her used coupons, which I would sort when I had the chance. (We have seperate envelopes for store coupons and manufacturer coupons.) She walks about five paces and turns around and says, "I want my coupons back!" I'm like, "Wha? I can't give you your coupons back, you just used them." "But I want the coupons that are sitting on by the cash register to the right of you!" I turn and look and yes, there's the coupons I just used. "I'm sorry but I can't give that back to you, that's against store policy and I could get fired." "But I want my coupons! And no I haven't used them yet!" I'm entirely confused but then I finally realize - her reciept! "Oh! This is called a receipt! Yes, I can give you your receipt." The lady walked off in a huff.
Unruly Kids
Why is it that parents allow their kids to go absolutely bersek in the checkout line? They'll get behind me in the checkstand - sometimes even directly next to me, I'll have to reach over their heads to put stuff in the cart, they'll yell and claw at me, I even had one hit me, one tried to take one of the bags that I was working on filling. Another kept moving stuff on the belt farther to the back as they got near the front (not one, but as many as possible and continously). Little kids have instructed me how to bag the items (one time a kid did this, the mom was smart enough to actually say, "Leave her alone and let her do her job, she knows what she's doing.") For the most part, parents are teaching their kids that cashiers don't deserve respect because we're cashiers - and apparently were not human or something. Parents need to keep their kids out of the way or in-line in the checkout. And/or at least apologize and acknowledge what their kids are doing. I'll have my little kids run around at your work and get in your way, and pretend I don't see it - 'k? Let me know how you like it.
I have customers that come through my lane all the time that speak quietly or mumble. So I politely ask, "I'm sorry, what was that you said?" If I still can't understand them I ask again, politely "I'm sorry, what was that?" while trying to make my name tag obvious (like looking down at it and adjusting it). I really don't want to just point at it and make the customer feel dumb. I hate it when people point at things and make me feel stupid, so I try to avoid that for others.
Anyway, naturally after I've politely asked for them to repeat it the second time, they get impatient and upset. I wear my hair up - my hearing aid is plainly visible. So I turn my head, putting my hearing aid in their direction and I ask again. They never notice it and continue to treat me like I'm some sack of dirt.
And then when they do notice it. They treat me like I'm some special needs kid and try to tell me how to do my job. "Bag this item this way, meat doesn't go with grapes, I want the hot stuff seperate from the ice cream". Uh, hello!? Not only have I been trained to do all of that already but it's kind of COMMON SENSE! I may be hearing impaired, but I'm not stupid. I have an IQ of 135 for crying out loud! And then while I'm working, they take the bags out from under me that aren't fully filled and put it in the cart. How rude. It doesn't help me move any faster, it just slows me down. And guess what they say when I'm done? "You did a good job!" in a voice like they're talking to a toddler.
Ignorance Sucks
I don't remember this entire transaction, but I do remember that this lady was being very rude to me, sneering at me and talking to me very very slowly like I was a two year old just because I had asked a couple of times what she said (she didn't notice my name tag). Most of the times she just yelled at me and commanded me to do things like I was her slave. There was no respect at all. At the end of the transaction as she was leaving, I had the guts to say, "By the way, I'm hearing impaired" in the same kind of voice she was using to me. Guess what she said, "I KNEW YOU WERE." Well, if you did - then why were you getting impatient when I didn't understand what you said - and politely asking you to repeat it? Most people have a little extra patience and try to speak clearer. Not more unclear. Geez.
Clothes and Security
And then we have the customers that buy a lot of clothes with security tags on them. I always put the clothing items with security on them behind me and bag the ones that don't. And then while I'm waiting for their credit/debit/check to run through (which really only takes like 5 seconds, maybe less - not really enough time to do much else but wait for it), they almost always say, "Those clothes have tags on them". Well, YES, I KNOW that, that's why I put them there and not in the bag. I don't have 10 hands, I can't do everything at once. I'm waiting for you to sign your slip so I can compare your card, and give it back to you so you don't have a hernia about getting your card back.
So yeah, being hearing impaired and a cashier sucks.
Cell Phones
It seems that all of America has cell phones these days. Which is all fine and dandy, except when you're at the checkout, talking to someone and staring at magazines and not paying attention. So I'm working away letting the customer talk. Then s/he gets off the phone halfway through the transaction. "Well, I want paper." Oh, ok. Fine. Annoying, but whatever. So I take the plastic bagged items and put them in a paper bag, plastic bag and all. "No, I don't want the plastic bag at all." What!? So you're going to make me take them OUT and bag them in paper just because you weren't paying attention and talking on the phone? I can't stand there and wait for you to finish your conversation, I have a job to do and people waiting in line! And I'll say that again, you expect me to rebag all these items while people are waiting in line? There goes at least five minutes. Now I'm going to have grumpy customers mad at ME because I was taking a long time because of YOU and they're going to blame ME for the wait. And anyway, why can't you just take the plastic bag out for yourself after the transaction is over and throw them away? That's where they're going to end up anyway after I finish rebagging for you. (I've actually had some customers smart enough that have said, "Plastic bag is fine, I'll just throw them out when I get home." YES! That's what you're supposed to say.)
Meat and Produce Don't Mix
I once had a customer come through wanting paper. Hey! She actually asked before I started. Ok, there's some meat and a lot of produce. I pack the meat in plastic and wrap it and put it in the paper bag. "NO I DON'T WANT ANY PLASTIC AT ALL!" "But it's meat, do you want it mixed with produce?" "I DON'T CARE I JUST DON'T WANT PLASTIC" Ok fine, so I put the meat in one bag (which only fills up like 1/10 of it) and start to put the produce in another. I thought that was pretty nice of me considering I could just mix it with her produce and maybe get her sick. And then I hear, "NO I DON'T WANT SO MANY PAPER BAGS! FILL IT ALL IN ONE BAG." By then I'm royally pissed that she is so ignorant about that fact that I'm trying to accommodate her wishes while still trying to keep her alive and well. For all I know, they could be a family that doesn't wash their produce. So I take out the items, throw away one of the used bags, and start piling it all in one bag. I secretly hoped she would die from this. And I even felt better later knowing that if she did get sick, it's her own fault. I tried to warn her.
Cold Medicines
This happened after my store had just recently implemented the "two cold medicines a purchase only" policy. I don't remember the ingredient in them - but I do know that it's used to create meth. Our computer knows what medicines have them and what doesn't. So when we try to ring up a third it has a message that says "Not allowed" or something.
Anyway, a customer comes in wanting to buy four medicines. Two are for day and two are for night. All four have that particular ingredient. I ring up two and the third came up "Not Allowed". I glanced at the items and realized what was going on. This is how the conversation went:
Me: "Ma'am, you can only buy two medicines, I can't sell you four."
SC: "But I did buy two, two for day and two for night."
Me: "No I mean, I can only sell you two TOTAL. Would you like to buy one day and one night?"
(Obviously the customer is not listening.)
SC: "But I did buy two, I have two for day and two for night."
Me: "We have a new policy that I can only sell you two only with this *blank* ingredient as it's used to make meth. But I can't sell you four of them. Would you like to take one day and one night?"
SC: BUT I DID BUY TWO! I BOUGHT TWO FOR DAY AND TWO FOR NIGHT!"
(Yeah, obviously still not listening.)
Me: One moment please.
(I call the manager and manager walks over.)
Me to the manager: "This customer is trying to buy four medicines and I've already tried to explain that she can only buy two due to our new policy."
Manager to customer: "Our new policy only allows customers to purchase two cold medicines with this particular ingredient. She can only sell you two of the four your have."
SC: "Oh. Well, then I want one day and one night."
Uh, HELLO!? I just got finished saying exactly what you and the manager just said. More than once!
Old Customers
I had a mid-60's woman come through. Really not that old but she just had surgery so she liked everything light. She wanted paper bags inside the plastic, ok, that's fine. So I finished all the packing, she paid, and then started checking the bags to see if they were light enough. This one bag only had ONE item in it - about a 1.5 liter of juice. She picks it up and says right away, "Oh that's too heavy can you remove some items from it?" I say, "I can't there's only one item it it", and then took out the juice and showed it to her. She said, "Yes, put that in another bag." "But this is the only item that was in the bag". "I WANT ANOTHER BAG." Ok, fine, geez. So I keep the empty bag in the cart and put it in a new bag. She goes through them again and AGAIN she says the juice bag is too heavy. Before she can say another word after that I call the manager. Manager comes over and asks what the problem is. She says, "This bag is too heavy, I already asked her (she points and glares at me) to make my bags light and this bag isn't light. (My manager looks in the "heavy" bag and sees the juice.) "There's only one item in this bag ma'am, this juice." "Oh ok, can I get another bag for that?" "Ma'am, this is the only item in it." (And then proceeds to put the bag upside down and shake it to show there's nothing else in it.) The customer practically went in shock and freaked out a second because she thought items were going to spill everywhere. Then she looked confused. And then she FINALLY got it. "Oh there's no other items in there? Well, ok then. I guess that's fine."
Reciepts Aren't Called Coupons
This happened when I first started as a cashier. I finished ringing up all her items and she handed me some coupons. I rang the coupons and then she gave me her payment. There was some problem I don't remember, but I somehow ended up putting the receipt on the desk area - next to the cash register and her used coupons, which I would sort when I had the chance. (We have seperate envelopes for store coupons and manufacturer coupons.) She walks about five paces and turns around and says, "I want my coupons back!" I'm like, "Wha? I can't give you your coupons back, you just used them." "But I want the coupons that are sitting on by the cash register to the right of you!" I turn and look and yes, there's the coupons I just used. "I'm sorry but I can't give that back to you, that's against store policy and I could get fired." "But I want my coupons! And no I haven't used them yet!" I'm entirely confused but then I finally realize - her reciept! "Oh! This is called a receipt! Yes, I can give you your receipt." The lady walked off in a huff.
Unruly Kids
Why is it that parents allow their kids to go absolutely bersek in the checkout line? They'll get behind me in the checkstand - sometimes even directly next to me, I'll have to reach over their heads to put stuff in the cart, they'll yell and claw at me, I even had one hit me, one tried to take one of the bags that I was working on filling. Another kept moving stuff on the belt farther to the back as they got near the front (not one, but as many as possible and continously). Little kids have instructed me how to bag the items (one time a kid did this, the mom was smart enough to actually say, "Leave her alone and let her do her job, she knows what she's doing.") For the most part, parents are teaching their kids that cashiers don't deserve respect because we're cashiers - and apparently were not human or something. Parents need to keep their kids out of the way or in-line in the checkout. And/or at least apologize and acknowledge what their kids are doing. I'll have my little kids run around at your work and get in your way, and pretend I don't see it - 'k? Let me know how you like it.
, I'd refuse to continue the order until their child was under control on the grounds that I can not be held responsible if they were to get hurt. If they had a problem with that, the head cashier and/or the manager on duty always backed me up.
, I'd let their child stay back there (after making it clear I was not responsible if they got hurt), but conveniently take up all the space except right in front of the cash drawer. Guess what would happen when I finished the order? *Wang* (The drawers at Winn Dixie were stainless steel and shot out at Mach 3 - made for a good clang when they hit, but wouldn't cause permenant damage.) Either that, or "accidentally" step in front of their child while they were running and they'd smack into my wallet or my watch. *Smack* Barring that, I wouldn't stop them from climbing on the counter and fake empathy when they fell off. *Crash* 
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