My Rant (and then I'll feel better)
 

OK, I have to mention this pet peeve in hopes that some offenders will read it and maybe be a little more considerate of others. Several times in the last few weeks I have been in a situation where I am in a line to check out (Target, Barnes and Noble, Arden's Jewelry, Lowes, and Citizens First Bank where there were a number of people waiting to do business but one customer was obliviously engaged in a conversation with the clerk or teller that was completely inconsequential to the business at hand. Examples are: telling the clerk about a problem with another business, telling the clerk about how hard they had looked for the item they were purchasing, telling the clerk about the books they had read lately, etc. They were telling some story while a number of us were waiting(some more patiently than me I'll admit) for service. This is not the worst thing that can happen to someone, but please, notice when you are inconveniencing others and move along. Thanks. I feel better now. Comments?

Amen.

Amen.

If people need more social contact, which many do, TV is perfectly designed for socialization and conversation at 3 town squares and dozens of beautiful recreation centers where a person can go and chat all day long, with different people every day of the week.

Of course a cashier has to be friendly and courteous, but they should be doing their job, first, for all customers in line, not just the needier one.

A grocery store, bank or post office line is a place of business, not a social hall.

OP, I hear you. There is a time and place for "long" conversations. Occasionaly I see something similar in restaurants---"long" conversations with the Server who needs to be getting our order and somebody's food.

This time of the year it's especially frustrating---but don't let it ruin your day. Patience is a virtue---good to remember.

Been there. Too much Jibber Jabber!

Part of it may be a southern cultural thing. The very first week I moved to Florida from New England, I was in a line at Walmart and several people in front of me, the lady checking out was busy showing the cashier (whom she didn't know) multiple pictures of her grandchildren. No one else seemed surprised or annoyed. I'm not saying it's "right", but I think it goes with the territory.

Did you talk with the manager of the store? Because if these clerks are talkative with one person and there are long lines, they will continue the behavior until someone steps in.

Just saying

I did not talk to the manager because I really believe the clerks were just being polite and the customer was the one initiating and sustaining the conversation.

It's called lack of situational awareness--many people are just oblivious to what's going on around them. Same thing applies when there's a checkout line and the person waits till the total is rung up to get out their checkbook and start writing.

So many of us are too self-absorbed, as well.

I think the cashiers should be trained in a polite way to fend off the grandma showing pictures, etc., and keep the checkout line moving.

I, too, have bristled over this and also people not making choice before getting to order taker at Panera, etc. I try to take a deep breath and tell myself I'm retired now and a few extra minutes are not going to matter to me.

I was checking out at Radio Shack when two separate people came up, and asked a question which required a bit of time to answer. This took the cashier away from my transaction while I just stood there. My peeve, people who think it's ok to butt in because they are more important.

Laid back culture
 

The region of the country you come from does make a difference. Coming from a small Midwest town not that far from Kentucky---life generally was pretty laid back. When we moved north to a big big city---"things" were different. :crap2:

We might as well get over it---Florida is not New York, Jersey or Chicago. Thank God for that!! :pray:

You hit the nail on the head. This is one of my pet peeves. :rant-rave:

What an astute observation. So correct, and quirky3's as well. We are a little more social here sometimes in certain situations than we should be.


But mostly, it is a nice kind of interaction. Sometimes it is a lapse, not thinking of others.

I frequently cannot read the menu board at some places (like Panera and Starbucks) from where I am a few people back in line. I either have to get a takeout menu or stand aside in a spot closer up to decide what I want. This is my own problem, not anyone else's, but it may explain why some people don't know what they want when they get up to the head of the line.

Situational awareness!!!! My new favorite term...LOL I get irked at people in the grocery store who leave the cart on one side of the aisle (or in the middle) while they stand between it and the other side looking at products and don't seem to have a clue you are there. Noticed a couple of ladies in Publix the other day standing, one on each side of the aisle, talking. They were still there after I had pretty much completed my shopping and every person who went down that aisle had to say "excuse me" and manuever between them. Is there some reason they couldn't stand on the same side???

Thanks to the OP.....venting does feel good! I actually have a little mental pep talk before going into Publix this time of year....take a deep breath, smile (not often returned, btw) and just be patient. Now I will add....remember these people are afflicted with lack of "situational awareness". They can't help themselves.:girlneener:

I have a reverse problem and don't know how to handle tactfully. As a customer, I respond to a cashier's question of how are you doing, with well and how are you? Then for what seems like eternity, I get their long, drawn out background. I see the line forming behind me and truly don't know what to do. I don't want to be rude and find I simply stand there and smile moving my head up and down. It would appear to the people at the end of the line I'm chatting, when if fact, I'm having to listen.

My husband says I'm like a magnet and attract this type of response. After many years I'm trying to change my response to how are you, to well and thank you for asking. It isn't easy, but seeing this thread, I need to work on this a bit.

There's one at Publix and one at Fresh Market whose lines I will avoid, if at all possible, for that very reason.

We made the mistake one time of saying what we couldn't find, when asked by the cashier if we found everything we wanted. There were several people behind us, and he stopped everything to call someone over to go find the item.

We only wanted to know for the next time we came in and were quite embarrassed at holding up the line. Duh!:oops: If I really need what I can't find, I should go ask an employee before getting in the checkout line.

Yawn

Thank you for mentioning that. One of my pet peeves at the grocery store. Please have your check ready, or your credit card ready to scan!

Yep...I have to remind my own husband to go ahead and get his wallet out.

This is one of the great things about TOTV, it lets you know you are not alone. All the things listed here that bug the posters are things I have ranted about at one time or another. Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone

That's another pet peeve - people still using checkbooks! Sometimes it takes for ever to write out the checks and the cashier needs to validate, on and on. Why would anyone still write out checks, especially at the grocery store? The only time I write out a checks is because I'm giving it as a gift.

Of Course the ( Check Writer ) when the whole transaction is finished everything has to be neatly put back into place Neatly Tucked into it's proper area, a little pat on the purse, smile to the clerk, ignore the frustrated people waiting while this whole dog and pony show is going on, and prances off like the she/he is the only person around.

Regarding:


I'm wary of that too (having the cashier tell their life story when they really need a husband that will show up, act like a man, and support his children and household). I listen but try to break in to say, looking at the line behind me, "I hear you (with sympathetic voice)....but I don't want to hold up the other customers behind me who need to get going".

Another problem in these scenarios is when managers are standing right there, talking to bag boys or whomever, but they will NOT use their keys and hands and open a register to clear up the lines. It looks like collecting money from customers is a very low priority or beneath their level of managerial status.

For each and everyone who has responded to the original -- what's the hurry? What's so important that we can't wait an extra few minutes either in line in a store, on a cart path, at an intersection or on the road.

Enjoy your retirement, vacation or whatever...relax. Getting aggravated over something like this is not good for your mental or physical health.

I agree it can be really aggravating, especially if you are already having a bad day. I remember the days that I had to get back to work, had to get home to let the baby sitter leave, had an appointment or needed to get my kids from school. Today, I try to make it to the square before happy hour ends. Chill...grab a magazine from the rack and check out what the Kardashians are doing (ugh!) or who has the worst body on the beach...try striking up a conversation with the person next to you..I have had great times chatting and didn't notice the time passing. Most of all...RELAX!!! It isn't worth getting your blood pressure up!!!

I guess I am just one of those southern people (no I'm not the one holding up the lines) but it doesn't bother me to wait...I just read all the titles on the trash magazines in the rack. I was at Walmart one day and when I got to the cashier she was so apologetic about the lady in front of me taking up so much time...I simply said, oh no problem, I'm not in any hurry...her response...well, you must not live in The Villages. ( Made me laugh)

And paying the #$%^&* North Sumter Cty UDD Utility bill, who won't let you pay online without charging you $5!

I think you may be missing the point, or reading a bit more into this thread than there really is. It's just good natured "venting". Nobody's getting too stressed or being driven to drink......well, maybe .......:beer3: Cheers!

Ha ha, Casita! I'm having a glass of wine over this rant as we speak. There's nothing like a good venting to make the grapes taste better.:girlneener:

Good idea....I think I'll join you!

CFrance, why don't you set up a monthly automatic debit to your checking account? Saves a lot of hassle!

I realize that's common practice, but I've had bad luck with that in the past (double deductions) and prefer to go online to pay my bills, or have them charged to a credit card where I have immediate recourse if something happens.

The most aggravating thing is a person in front of you checking out.....and is on their cell phone. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING !!!! Got that one off my chest. Wheewww !!!

I think much of the problem is the stores that have 20 or more check out lanes, but only have 5 or 6 lanes open. Each lane has a dozen waiting to check out.
This is the busy season. Hire a few more workers.

My biggest challenge is to avoid shopping when I have a class to get to. That is usually the only time I feel pushed for time. There are so many activities that have definite "start" time that even though we may be retired, some of us are still on some sort of schedule. So shopping for me needs to be a time set aside for that with time for checking out added in. I just have to remember when I get to TV, to time my shopping!

LW888