I would like to thank everyone for commenting and it does make a huge difference getting feedback from readers with their experiences. My co-workers and I read every comment to keep a mental note on how to make our customers experience a bit better when they do their grocery shopping. Hopefully clerks and cashiers from around the way are doing the same thing. Since this blog started, I’ve learned with a positive attitude no matter the situation and a simple smile will make the day a better working environment.
As a grocery clerk, often times people who come through look down on us as if we’re nobodies. Some don’t bother to say “hi,” or “thank you.” No matter how long anyone has been in the retail business, it wears on you and eventually makes one bitter. It’s always the pretty girls, executive types, or just the teenager from next door. I’ve been trying to tolerate those types for quite so time, but for some reason, people with authority intimidate me.
A policeman comes into my line with a deli sandwich and a bag of flaming Cheetos. He’s an imposing 6’2 frame with a gun.
Me: [stuttering] Hhhi…
Policeman with Gun: [looks at me] …
He’s watching the items on the screen as I scan them…
Policeman with Gun: Wait! That’s not right.
Me: [stuttering] Whhhhats not rrrriiight?
Policeman with Gun: Those Cheetos are on sale.
Me: [stuttering] Umm.. I dddon’t ttthink so…
Policeman with Gun: They’re $1.99 not $2.49.
Me: [stuttering] I’ll rrrun and cc..heck the price.
Policeman with Gun: You don’t need to do that, its $1.99.
Me: Ummm…
Policeman with Gun: Your not going to call a policeman, a liar are you?
Me: [unsure smile] Heh, of course not…
I eventually checked the price of the Cheetos and it was $2.49. The ad changed the night before. I got punked over some Cheetos…
Have you ever thought you were right but still went with the situation?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL, I was totally laughing at this!
I’m sure he knows he is intimidating, and is used to your type of reaction..lol.
I would get that way too though!!!!
Oh, and maybe you can answer this question. What is up with the checkers who tell every customer their life story????
Cops make me super nervous also. I try to avoid them at all costs.
The last time I got pulled over, it was for going through a stop sign that didn’t actually exist. I knew it didn’t exist and eventually I think the cop must have realized it also because he backed off. I ended up just apologizing profusely though instead of fighting him on it because I didn’t want to get in even more trouble!
You? Intimidated by a cop? You should have made him stand there while you did a price check. haha
“This ain’t no donut shop, Cheeto Man.”
I’ve had that happen once or twice, but I just smile at them and tell them its my job to check.
I worked for two years on checkouts in one of the big supermarkets here in the UK and it wore me out so much! I recently got a transfer out to the gas station we have and its a lot better; I don’t get people trying to tell me their life story out there!!
Gotta watch those cops! I have tried to raise my children to treat all people equally. The answer to whether or not I was doing a good job came to when when my oldest son was a senior in high school. We were in the grocery store, and my son went up to an older gentleman, smiled, shook his hand, carried on a wonderful conversation with him and introduced me to Mr. So and So. After we left, I inquired as to how he knew him. He was one of the janitors at his high school. I was so prooud of my son at that moment.
I never go with the flow…im always right so i make sure they know it
you know, because of you and your blog, im actually a lot nicer to the checkers and workers at grocery stores. You know the whole WWJD? well it now What Would Paul Think/Feel/Blog?
you know what? I have done exactly that same thing. I got downright indignant over the price of some stupid apples. Turns out we were both right. The old sign had not yet been removed even though the special sale price expired the night before.
The crazy thing is that with the scanners, the items move so quickly and the opportunity for error exists, lurking in there somewhere. So when I think I catch an error (either in my favor or not) I will correct it. If the cashier mistakes my cilantro for parsley, I will tell her even if the parley costs more. And vice versa too. Hopefully I am mostly nice about it. I hope so**and will try to keep this in mind in the future!
I used to work in a convenience store and hated that shit. Abuse of his power…unless he was just fucking with you. Hard to say.
And, like genesis said, I catch myself actually thinking about interacting with the clerks. Considering I used to be a clerk, you would think I would already be nicer. I am such an asshole.
Paul, I am trying to give you some tips on how to get a little bit of wicked in you, not easily intimidated. Police officers are just people too. Fallible, human, some good, some bad. Watch the news much? If that had been anyone else in your line, you would have checked the price, right? I am friends with several of the local officers here in town and I can’t help but laugh hysterically when people treat them as if they are special. I know them too well, I think. Like “Mr. I will answer this call as soon as I drop the girl who I had in the police car with me off” and “Officer my fist accidentally hit my wife’s face”. No one deserves more respect in life than they show you, he was being disrespectful to you while you were being polite and respectful. He was an ass, he deserved equal treatment IMHO. (okay, nothing humble about my opinion)
When I was in retail I was never intimidated by people, especially the police. They were the ones that I called when I was having to deal with a shoplifter. As many shoplifters as I caught, I got to know most of them and joked around with them when they come in to shop. They’re just people.
You are a riot! Lucky for me I’m a talker and I always talk to the grocery clerks, I even ask them to show me pictures of there kids and pets!!! Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Have a good day.
Yeah, cops are assholes too…just like regular folk. The one you had to deal with was clearly rude and seems like he likes to abuse his power. It’s better to not argue b/c he could give you a ticket or something when you’re pulling out of the parking lot after work. That’s what I’d be thinking.
Anyway, I’m always nice to the clerks @ the store. I ask how their day is going, how long until their shift is over, etc. and it’s nice b/c the checkout goes quickly and pleasantly. Once in awhile I get a crab ass, but it’s ok b/c I am one too sometimes:)
In order to graduate into “adulthood”, I think every human being should have to have the experience of either working retail or waitressing. The hubby and I both have that experience and are always mortified by going anywhere with ours parents who treat retail staff and wait staff as if they are beneath them! UGH!
Flaming cheetos for a flaming…
…okay I won’t say it. But you have to feel sorry for a man who has such a small self image that he needs to bully a cashier over a bag of chips.
I’d let anyone with a gun do and say whatever the hell he wants to. And I agree with Tori, everyone needs to experience working retail or waiting to get a grip on real life, there are dickheads in every walk of life, as well as some true gems.
I think most of us can relate to this post, great writing!
Yikes. That cop was WAY out of line…took full advantage of his authority. Grrrrr!
I never, EVER consider ANY job “beneath me”…or anyone else!
Eventually this stuff will come back to bite that man…in a doctor’s office, or somewhere where being a cop won’t amount to a hill of beans.
When I was a bank teller working the drive-up window one night I gave a guy $100 too much. We always told people to count it right there at the window after we handed it to him but they didn’t always do that. Luckily he did, and luckily he handed back the $100. I’m sure there were plenty of times when I was right and the customer was wrong, though.
oh no!! not very nice of that man in blue!! I have thought I was right and been wrong and will admit sometimes I find it frustrating that ads are hard to read or in the wrong place! BUT I don’t fight! I am wrong! so be it!…I am sure I growl a little on the inside however!!:)
“Liar” or “idiot”…take your pick, Officer.
Loved this post. Had me chuckling. My kids pediatrician was telling me he has a cop as a patient who refuses to see another doctor. He finally had to tell him to at least not wear his gun in because he was scaring the other patients! LOL You totally should have price checked him.
Well, you know it wasn’t because a sign was left up from the previous ad. That never happens!
I was once on jury duty and as they were questioning us potential jurors one thing they asked was “Do you feel that all policemen tell the truth?”
In our little burg? Bwahahaha
They had to call in a second pool of jurors to try to seat because too many people in our pool said “No” [obviously wanting the answer yes or something akin] and as I was walking out I looked at the guy next to me and said “I wish them luck with that.”
Heehee
I hate when checkers ask me if I found everything I was looking for. I don’t see the point in telling them that I tromped all over the store, twice trying to find the (whatever it was) Im in line, Im ready to go, it’s too late now. Don’t make me lie by asking me if I found everything.