AITA: Grocery bagging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

Being blunt is not what banter means.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don’t know what the cashier’s earning, and I hope it’s a living wage (naive hope). That said, you weren’t the AH, she was, and as several others have noted, I would know immediately that the person being asked to bag her own purchases would be a woman, likely between 30 and 60. I hate that kind of sh!t and find it disturbingly sexist. If one can bag groceries for a man making valid purchases, that courtesy — that job requirement and duty, let me correct myself — should be granted without pert, obnoxious, manipulative little asides to everyone.

I happen to disagree with the concept that every job out there should be paying a living wage. Minimum wage jobs were never intended to be full support jobs. Minimum wage jobs were originally designed to be supplemental income. These jobs were for people who were in a household that already had one primary wage earner and they needed to supplement. Whether that was a SAH parent who needed extra income, a teen or dependent who wanted personal income, or even a primary earner who needed to earn money, these jobs were intended to augment household income. It was not intended to be one to raise oneself on. The fact that we are turning jobs like supermarket cashiers into full-time, personal or family support jobs is the concern. People should not be looking into these minimal wage, unskilled jobs to be primary support. For one thing, it means that it takes those opportunities away from people who do need the supplemental income and it also puts a higher burden on the employers and customers to support these individuals and possibly their families. If you are an adult that needs to support yourself or your family, a minimum wage job should be a stepping stone to something more rather than a career. Think, it is part of the journey, not the destination.

I think it is wrong to make minimum wage jobs into living wage jobs. I think what we need is free job training for individuals who need to support themselves or their families to advance beyond minimum wage positions.

Well, you’ll have to take it up with the guy who signed the minimum wage into law in 1933, because your “disagreement” is incorrect.

Yes and amazing how people opposed to universal health care and living wages get on their high horses as if they have the moral high ground.

Treating people like subhumans is wrong.

Everyone who works hard at an honest living life hat brings value to society deserves a living wage. It also helps businesses as people have money to spend on groceries, goods and services. It is a win win.

All civilized societies should find ways to provide access to health care for their citizens: the Western countries th at do generally spend much less on health care per person than in the US.

Treating working people with dignity is not just right but good for society and business .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don’t know what the cashier’s earning, and I hope it’s a living wage (naive hope). That said, you weren’t the AH, she was, and as several others have noted, I would know immediately that the person being asked to bag her own purchases would be a woman, likely between 30 and 60. I hate that kind of sh!t and find it disturbingly sexist. If one can bag groceries for a man making valid purchases, that courtesy — that job requirement and duty, let me correct myself — should be granted without pert, obnoxious, manipulative little asides to everyone.

I happen to disagree with the concept that every job out there should be paying a living wage. Minimum wage jobs were never intended to be full support jobs. Minimum wage jobs were originally designed to be supplemental income. These jobs were for people who were in a household that already had one primary wage earner and they needed to supplement. Whether that was a SAH parent who needed extra income, a teen or dependent who wanted personal income, or even a primary earner who needed to earn money, these jobs were intended to augment household income. It was not intended to be one to raise oneself on. The fact that we are turning jobs like supermarket cashiers into full-time, personal or family support jobs is the concern. People should not be looking into these minimal wage, unskilled jobs to be primary support. For one thing, it means that it takes those opportunities away from people who do need the supplemental income and it also puts a higher burden on the employers and customers to support these individuals and possibly their families. If you are an adult that needs to support yourself or your family, a minimum wage job should be a stepping stone to something more rather than a career. Think, it is part of the journey, not the destination.

I think it is wrong to make minimum wage jobs into living wage jobs. I think what we need is free job training for individuals who need to support themselves or their families to advance beyond minimum wage positions.

Well, you’ll have to take it up with the guy who signed the minimum wage into law in 1933, because your “disagreement” is incorrect.

Yes and amazing how people opposed to universal health care and living wages get on their high horses as if they have the moral high ground.

Treating people like subhumans is wrong.

Everyone who works hard at an honest living life hat brings value to society deserves a living wage. It also helps businesses as people have money to spend on groceries, goods and services. It is a win win.

All civilized societies should find ways to provide access to health care for their citizens: the Western countries th at do generally spend much less on health care per person than in the US.

Treating working people with dignity is not just right but good for society and business .

These people are capitalists, and they fail to have any understanding of the need for Marxism, worldwide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

Being blunt is not what banter means.

Uh, I was being blunt commenting on OP's inability to read banter. Is your reading comprehension this bad? Or do you also struggle with inference in conversation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cashier jobs should be obsolete. Use self-checkout or robots can do this work.

People need jobs. I refuse to use self checkouts unless I have only 2 items.

Nobody wants cashier jobs. They are the worst jobs in grocery — standing in one place on concrete for multiple hours, a never ending stream of entitled and abusive customers, can’t have water at the register, can’t go to the bathroom without calling a manager who will take 20 mins to come cover you). Most applicants say “anything but cashier). The former cashiers now pick the ever increasing online orders, run them out to cars, etc. And before you try to play the Disability Card, customer service desk jobs still exist for people who physically can’t do order pickup.

You’re not “saving jobs.” You’re just lazy.

Many people may not want cashier jobs but have no other choice for some time in their lives. They may have limited education or mouths to feed. It does not mean they can’t work their way towards better jobs eventually.

Whether they have few alternatives for some time, or are disabled, everyone who works hards at honest jobs deserves a living wage and common courtesy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

Thank you OP. I thought your update was gracious and balanced.

I can better understand your position although I would have just bagged myself:

I am glad you did not complain to management and just told her directly yourself.

Thanks for starting an engaging and thoughtful thread born out of your relatable everyday experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I don’t know what the cashier’s earning, and I hope it’s a living wage (naive hope). That said, you weren’t the AH, she was, and as several others have noted, I would know immediately that the person being asked to bag her own purchases would be a woman, likely between 30 and 60. I hate that kind of sh!t and find it disturbingly sexist. If one can bag groceries for a man making valid purchases, that courtesy — that job requirement and duty, let me correct myself — should be granted without pert, obnoxious, manipulative little asides to everyone.

I happen to disagree with the concept that every job out there should be paying a living wage. Minimum wage jobs were never intended to be full support jobs. Minimum wage jobs were originally designed to be supplemental income. These jobs were for people who were in a household that already had one primary wage earner and they needed to supplement. Whether that was a SAH parent who needed extra income, a teen or dependent who wanted personal income, or even a primary earner who needed to earn money, these jobs were intended to augment household income. It was not intended to be one to raise oneself on. The fact that we are turning jobs like supermarket cashiers into full-time, personal or family support jobs is the concern. People should not be looking into these minimal wage, unskilled jobs to be primary support. For one thing, it means that it takes those opportunities away from people who do need the supplemental income and it also puts a higher burden on the employers and customers to support these individuals and possibly their families. If you are an adult that needs to support yourself or your family, a minimum wage job should be a stepping stone to something more rather than a career. Think, it is part of the journey, not the destination.

I think it is wrong to make minimum wage jobs into living wage jobs. I think what we need is free job training for individuals who need to support themselves or their families to advance beyond minimum wage positions.

Well, you’ll have to take it up with the guy who signed the minimum wage into law in 1933, because your “disagreement” is incorrect.

Yes and amazing how people opposed to universal health care and living wages get on their high horses as if they have the moral high ground.

Treating people like subhumans is wrong.

Everyone who works hard at an honest living life hat brings value to society deserves a living wage. It also helps businesses as people have money to spend on groceries, goods and services. It is a win win.

All civilized societies should find ways to provide access to health care for their citizens: the Western countries th at do generally spend much less on health care per person than in the US.

Treating working people with dignity is not just right but good for society and business .

These people are capitalists, and they fail to have any understanding of the need for Marxism, worldwide.

Supporting living wages is far from Marxist. It is supporting viable democratic capitalism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

I’m 100% on your side. Like you, I’m a good customer, courteous and everything you described. I would say the majority of people in the real world agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

Being blunt is not what banter means.

Uh, I was being blunt commenting on OP's inability to read banter. Is your reading comprehension this bad? Or do you also struggle with inference in conversation?

Not usually. But let’s be real - there is no banter anywhere in this thread with OP. Just sanctimonious a$$holes telling the world how generous and helpful they are, and what a jerk OP is. I guess what I really struggle with is these a$$holes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

Being blunt is not what banter means.

Uh, I was being blunt commenting on OP's inability to read banter. Is your reading comprehension this bad? Or do you also struggle with inference in conversation?

Not usually. But let’s be real - there is no banter anywhere in this thread with OP. Just sanctimonious a$$holes telling the world how generous and helpful they are, and what a jerk OP is. I guess what I really struggle with is these a$$holes.

DP
I can see you struggle with nuance.

There were many shades of gray in this thread …

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cashier jobs should be obsolete. Use self-checkout or robots can do this work.

People need jobs. I refuse to use self checkouts unless I have only 2 items.

Nobody wants cashier jobs. They are the worst jobs in grocery — standing in one place on concrete for multiple hours, a never ending stream of entitled and abusive customers, can’t have water at the register, can’t go to the bathroom without calling a manager who will take 20 mins to come cover you). Most applicants say “anything but cashier). The former cashiers now pick the ever increasing online orders, run them out to cars, etc. And before you try to play the Disability Card, customer service desk jobs still exist for people who physically can’t do order pickup.

You’re not “saving jobs.” You’re just lazy.

Many people may not want cashier jobs but have no other choice for some time in their lives. They may have limited education or mouths to feed. It does not mean they can’t work their way towards better jobs eventually.

Whether they have few alternatives for some time, or are disabled, everyone who works hards at honest jobs deserves a living wage and common courtesy.

Honestly, sometimes I dream of giving up my white collar desk job and being a cashier or a barista. I always liked my customer service jobs back in college. But when it’s your only option, it’s pretty rough, and service workers deserve a lot more respect than they get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP back again, to thank everyone for their opinions and assure some accusers that I'm not a troll.

I live in a jurisdiction that has a plastic bag tax. That, plus the fact that it's easier for me to carry 3 large bags instead of 13 little flimsy ones, are why my (non-hazmat, regularly laundered) reusable bags were there in the first place. I'm not going to change that.

I like to think that I'm a courteous customer, and maybe even a good person. I don't leave my cart in the middle of the aisle, I say hello to the restockers and wait for them to finish with a shelf rather than shouldering them out of the way to reach the peanut butter, etc. And I always, always return my cart.

I chose not to complain to the manager in some Karenesque rant because I didn't want the checker to get into trouble. Instead, I opted to voice my objection directly to the person with whom I had the issue, with a sentence that started with "No thanks."

While I appreciate the perspectives of those who feel that I should help when asked, I'd like to point out that I wasn't asked -- I was drafted and assigned a role, and that took me aback. For those who characterized me as some demanding princess, waiting to be served... that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I find it interesting that others have noticed this, or engaged in similar standoffs with a checker. I also find it interesting that some believe this is not something that's regularly being asked of men. (The groceries of the man in front of me were bagged for him, by the way. Although I didn't hear whether he was initially asked to do it.)

Thanks to those who made up their own enhancements and embellishments to the story, generally to my detriment. It wouldn't be DCUM without you.

It’s fine that you wanted to scroll through your phone rather than helping someone with a menial task when they asked for it, but to somehow think this makes you a good person or that you were somehow standing up for women, makes you sound like even more of an a hole.

Can you read? She wasn’t ASKED, she was TOLD. Huge difference.

Banter's not your strong suit, I presume.

If that was your idea of playfully teasing OP, it isn’t yours either.

I'm not playfully teasing--I was being blunt.

Being blunt is not what banter means.

Uh, I was being blunt commenting on OP's inability to read banter. Is your reading comprehension this bad? Or do you also struggle with inference in conversation?

Not usually. But let’s be real - there is no banter anywhere in this thread with OP. Just sanctimonious a$$holes telling the world how generous and helpful they are, and what a jerk OP is. I guess what I really struggle with is these a$$holes.

DP
I can see you struggle with nuance.

There were many shades of gray in this thread …

For example, people who did not think either OP nor the cashier were a$$holes - cashier was tad clumsy and overstepped her bounds. OP was within her rights to be annoyed but not a hill I would die on. I don’t think many normal people relish power struggles with low paid exhausted cashiers - and neither does OP apparently. She did not complain to management but made her point directly. I appreciate that even though I would have just helped bag myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cashier jobs should be obsolete. Use self-checkout or robots can do this work.

People need jobs. I refuse to use self checkouts unless I have only 2 items.

Nobody wants cashier jobs. They are the worst jobs in grocery — standing in one place on concrete for multiple hours, a never ending stream of entitled and abusive customers, can’t have water at the register, can’t go to the bathroom without calling a manager who will take 20 mins to come cover you). Most applicants say “anything but cashier). The former cashiers now pick the ever increasing online orders, run them out to cars, etc. And before you try to play the Disability Card, customer service desk jobs still exist for people who physically can’t do order pickup.

You’re not “saving jobs.” You’re just lazy.

Definitely not how it was when I worked in the grocery store. We called them "checkers" not cashiers, and they were in the highest pay category (except for managers.) Everyone started as a bagger (lowest pay category) and then worked their way up (middle pay category was bakery, service deli, etc.)

The other jobs in the higher pay category (produce, dairy, frozen foods) were dirty, wet, and cold, with lots of heavy lifting. Checking was relatively clean. Managers also tended to pick the more attractive people to be checkers, since they were up front and center in the store.