Supermarket Etiquette

[MannersMakethMan]

I’d like to ask you all a question. This happened to me at the supermarket today.

If I see a cashier with nothing or next to nothing on their belt when the other tills are all extremely busy (stacked two or three deep), I ask whether they’re still open or not. There’s no light over the tills to say whether they’re open or not, so no way to judge from that, and I always thought it was best to ask. Today when I did it, the woman looked at me like I’d got four heads for asking such a thing, and I could see the cogs whirring, thinking what a stupid person I was for even asking.

My logic is for someone to be in that position, it’s possible they may be lining up to go on a break or to go across to another department (or even just counting the tills), and I don’t want to be the person who forces them to stop on if they’ve somewhere else to be. Plus there’s the selfish reason of not wanting to unload twice if they are in fact closed. But equally well, I don’t want to be one of the annoying daft questioners who comes across like the last two cells in the brain are huddling together for warmth.

So I like to ask you all what you think. Would I be more of an annoyance to you putting my things out when you’re closing, or asking a silly question when you’re open?

[Bright_Star]

It's always better to ask first instead of assuming a resgister is open.

[Camry178]

I'd much rather you ask the question. That helps to avoid any grief.

[Evil Queen]

No, you did the right thing asking first.

[SG15Z]

Yes always ask first. It is no where near as annoying as having to tell someone when they're unloading more than three times "I'm closed!!!!!!" And they get the cat-butt face cause you should turn your light iff. It is!!!!!

[Fleur]

I freaking love when people ask if i'm open. it sort of reaffirms my faith in humanity. [it's inevitably crushed within ten minutes, but whatever]

although, since they don't have lights where you were, that girl had no business giving you a Look.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Yes, please ask. Just because I'm standing there it doesn't mean I'm cashiering that shift. I could just be after a clip-strip.

Ya did the right thing.

[iradney]

Maybe she gave you a Look because she's used to people just dumping their stuff on her register, open or no?
I also agree that asking is a much better and politer option than just assuming...

[fireheart]

Just be careful when you do ask.

[DerangedHermit]

If she's standing around at her register and not trying to get away, I wouldn't ask. Otherwise, go ahead.