They Must Have a Death Wish...

[NateTheChops]

See, sucide is a sin. So they can't die by their own hand or they'll wind up in Hell. So they try to get me to the point where I'll just reach across the counter and tear their throats out in front of witnesses and on camera. (And some days that's the only thing stopping me)

Case in point: This morning.

Long line. About twenty people or so and I'm doing pretty well considering I haven't had caffeine in three days. (A record for me) There's also two other people at the register so for once it's not like it's just me vs. the city of Burlington today. But otherwise I'm holding up.

This woman brings up three cards. I ring her up and ask her, "Would you like a bag."

"Why do you ask me that?" She asks in a fit of laughter as though she's the funniest person in the world. "Of course I want a bag, now why would you even bother asking me?"

"Because I ask everyone ma'am," I respond with a big toothy just-shot-in-the-ass-with-a-thorazine-needle grin. I'm also enunciating each word so as to warn my coworkers that I may need the men in white coats very soon. "You see, some people don't always want a bag. Sometimes I give them a bag and they tell me they don't want one. So I always ask because it is polite to do so."

She busts out laughing more and runs her mouth even longer and I'm clenching my fists beneath my register until she leaves and I ring up her friend who actually seems apologetic. Or she's just trying to sooth me...who knows?

[orcprincess]

They throw a hissy fit if you don't ask. I was in line behind this SC once and all she purchased was a thing of tic tacs, and the cashier put it up on the little counter thing, and asked if she wanted her to put it in her purse. The SC was appalled, offended, whatever. She says something along the lines of how it's the cashier's job to bag every purchase. Hello!!!??? Tic Tacs?? Most places even give you a receipt, so it's ok to put it in your purse. Dunno. Maybe it's just me. But, I totally understand how you feel.

[PepperElf]

"Because I can only read minds of people with living brain cells..."

[fireheart]

"Because I can only read minds of people with living brain cells..."

Or if a brain actually exists!

[ArcticChicken]

I've never actually had anyone respond quite like that, but they often put it in their tone of voice. I just want to slap the shit out of the next person who looks at me like I'm an idiot and say's "Yes!" or "No!" in that tone of voice. Or the one woman, when I didn't ask and just put her gallon of milk in a bag, told me she didn't want it, then yelled at me when I shoved it (the bag, not her milk) under the counter to deal with later.

[earl colby pottinger]

Or

Say "Some people feel environmentally responsible and use their own reusable cloth bags when shopping. Don't you?".

Then just smile.

[RetailWorkhorse]

Say "Some people feel environmentally responsible and use their own reusable cloth bags when shopping. Don't you?".

Then just smile.

That reminds me.

Yesterday a woman made a big deal about me putting her purchases in a bag (I told her I loved the colour, bright sky blue) and so I did so.

She had bought styrofoam plates and cups.

I just find it funny.

[NateTheChops]

I just get sick of being treated like an idiot by these people. Like they're the prime offerings from Mensa's elite themselves.

I had one guy get snappy with me because I was casually chatting with him while ringing up his two newspapers.

"Excuse me, why don't you pay attention to what you're doing?" He said snobbishly.

If he had a larger order I could see him being a little concerned, but it takes me two seconds to ring up his newspapers and put them in a bag. It's not brain surgery.

[Crow The Robot]

They throw a hissy fit if you don't ask. I was in line behind this SC once and all she purchased was a thing of tic tacs, and the cashier put it up on the little counter thing, and asked if she wanted her to put it in her purse. The SC was appalled, offended, whatever. She says something along the lines of how it's the cashier's job to bag every purchase. Hello!!!??? Tic Tacs?? Most places even give you a receipt, so it's ok to put it in your purse. Dunno. Maybe it's just me. But, I totally understand how you feel.

Yeah, then they'll get mad at you if they can't find them, and accuse you of hiding their d-mn Tic-Tacs. Nate's SC was a b-tch though, I sometimes don't use plastic bags if I only have a few items, I just throw them in the canvas bag I have in my car.

[going gaga]

I hate asking the bag question (it's that or get in the deep stuff if a senior manager hears you or god forbid its a test shop).
It makes me feel like a frigging idiot that I have to ask it every time even when you know what the answer is going to be ( Sir would you like to carry two bags worth of goods through a busy department store today)

Out of mischief I've started giving the customers little titbits of info, info such as how much trouble management gives us if we don't ask, not much but at least I can say that with a grin on my face.