AITA: Grocery bagging

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you're an obnoxious jerk. Your bags, you should bag if you're able.

Just say "challenge accepted" and be a helping hand to a person doing physical labor making minimum wage.

A lot of minimum wage earners are posting here!!

I'm not, but I've worked in a grocery store before - clearly you haven't.

You don't know how the repetitive motion impacts your body when bagging for hours at a time. OP, you turned down a few seconds of your time to refuse to be kind. So yeah, you were a jerk. You lose nothing by being helpful for a few seconds with YOUR own bags, and god knows where they've been.

Should have studied harder in school instead of giving out BJs under the bleachers, Samantha!!

Leah, not everyone grew up in a white UMC suburb and had their parents pay for their college education and sorority pledging.

[Anonymous]

My problem with bagging is that it keeps me from verifying the prices and discounts as the cashier runs items through. Every time I pay attention, I save a few bucks, or I end up canceling an item, because this 3lb bag of apples that was displayed next to the nearly identical $6 bags is not worth $12.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should have said "Unfortunately we haven't got anyone to bag working today so this might take a little longer than it ought to while I bag this up." And you should have said "Oh, I'll take care of it while you scan."
Our local groceries all employed disabled people as baggers until minimum wage laws made that impossible. Thanks Dems!

Minimum wage laws didn't make it "impossible."

Grocery stores simply enjoyed screwing over employees--including those with disabilities--when it was dirt cheap for them.

This is the second thread in 24 hours where the citizens of DCUMlandia have demonstrated their acceptance of a society of the haves and have nots where businesses take precedence and certain people simply don't deserve to be paid enough to make ends meet when they work 40 hours a week. What is wrong with everyone???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My problem with bagging is that it keeps me from verifying the prices and discounts as the cashier runs items through. Every time I pay attention, I save a few bucks, or I end up canceling an item, because this 3lb bag of apples that was displayed next to the nearly identical $6 bags is not worth $12.

This is exactly my reason too. You have to watch those prices like a hawk, they are frequently wrong and its much easier to get it corrected before you pay than to be sent to customer service after you have already paid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you come off as a jerk. While you’re technically correct it was antisocial of you to refuse to help when asked.

Wrong. OP was correct. It is not anti-social to not do the work for someone for free when they are being paid for it. If the cashier was so handicapped, she could quit working.

It's anti-social not to help someone just because you can. I also move my water glass closer to the server so they can fill it more easily. I don't have to, but I do because it makes their life a little easier.

The server does not ask you to move the water glass closer or stack up the plates, right? You do it because you want to. The server should not expect that other customers would do the same.

The issue here is that the cashier was not doing her job and was rude and unprofessional. If the OP would have complained about the casher, the cashier would have been reprimanded at the very least.

Uh, if my server asked me to move my glass closer so they could fill it, I certainly would, without quibble. Are you saying that you wouldn't? If you were my dining companion I'd be gobsmacked at your entitlement, leave the server a large check, and then never dine with you again.

Honestly, some people just want someone they can shit on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ESH (everybody sucks here).

I like this option.

+1


It costs nothing to be a good human, OP.

BAGH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow- I'm shocked at this. I thought only jerks didn't help bag. Maybe it's regional? I'm originally from Long Island but live here now.

I use self checkout the most often, but if I use a cashier lane, I usually help bag groceries without being asked to and am thanked by the cashier for helping. Very rarely, I’ve had a rough day and don’t offer to help. I would be especially unmotivated to help if the cashier instructed me to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't want to bag your own groceries, don't bring your own bags.

A lot of stores have a policy of not bagging customers own bags so they aren't responsible of the bag rips, zipper breaks, etc.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mid-morning weekday grocery shopping at Harris Teeter. Naming the time, because this wasn’t Monday night or Saturday morning — store was quiet and uncrowded, with no line behind me and other registers open. Naming the store because I think they try and position themselves with their customer service. I had a small load of groceries — filled three reusable bags. Not a massive shopping trip.

As I wheeled up, the checker announced “We’re going to work as a team. I’m going to scan and you’re going to bag.” I said, “No thanks. I was counting on you to bag my items.” She then frowned and went silent for the duration of the transaction.

I’m physically able to bag my own groceries, and I did it without a second thought during the height of the pandemic when we were worried about contact. I’m happy to do it at Aldi or Lidl, where prices are cheaper because that’s part of the deal. But at a “full-price” regular grocery store, I don’t want to. I’m not getting a discount, and frankly I want to use those few minutes to check my email, send a quick text to someone, update my shopping list, mentally plan the evening scrum of sports/homework/dinner, or just veg out for a few blessed minutes. I don’t refill my own drink at restaurants, I don’t loosen the lug nuts on one wheel while my mechanic rotates the other, and I don’t pre-rake my leaves for the landscapers. I will smile and make small talk and say thank you and gratefully acknowledge their much-appreciated help. But I’m not interested in doing someone else’s job. I’m tired enough just doing my own.


I've been going through this predictament too and it changes depending on who I'm with. I've had times when I was with my small kids where they will do it for you bc your hands are full. If I go with my DH usually during work hours, he won't bag and I could but don't but they NEVER ask during these times. BUT, if I go during daytime hours solo, as 30-40 yr old women, FORGET IT. It is a power struggle between me and the cashier or bagger. I will see baggers leave when I'm next in time. I think they will do it for a disabled person, and older person but a healthy woman, they try their chances on trying to get you to bag up. HOwever, I also see their side in that they are working like crazy, bagging, ringing up. It would be nice if customers "helped them" a little in their eyes.


Is bagging your own groceries when asked a thing now? AITA for objecting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't want to bag your own groceries, don't bring your own bags.

A lot of stores have a policy of not bagging customers own bags so they aren't responsible of the bag rips, zipper breaks, etc.

This

Harris Teeter does not have this policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I shop at Giant and notice that some checkers just don’t bag. I step in and start bagging myself after all my food starts getting crushed at the end of the conveyor belt. If I’m paying full price for groceries I shouldn’t be bagging or give me a discount.

and I make sure I move as slowly as possible.

[Anonymous]

I love bagging my own groceries. I actually am disappointed if a bagger shows up. I group things so it’s easier to put away at home.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow- I'm shocked at this. I thought only jerks didn't help bag. Maybe it's regional? I'm originally from Long Island but live here now.

I use self checkout the most often, but if I use a cashier lane, I usually help bag groceries without being asked to and am thanked by the cashier for helping. Very rarely, I’ve had a rough day and don’t offer to help. I would be especially unmotivated to help if the cashier instructed me to do it.

The cashier is faster than any shopper and you'll often slow things down by bagging yourself.

[Anonymous]

On the one hand, I respect the cashier for asking... on the other hand, I respect OP for clearly stating their refusal to bag. I hate the awkwardness of the cashier not saying anything and the groceries pilling up at the end of the conveyer belt. I never use self check out because I don't want to bag my own items and frankly the cashiers are better at it. I even arrange my items on the belt to make it easier on the cashier! Heavy items first, cold/ frozen together, cleaning/ beauty supplies grouped, bread and other smooshables last. Every time I shop at Wegmans, Trader Joes and Whole Foods I think about how those companies should be teaching customer service classes to their competition. The employees are always so pleasant and helpful, they bag without questioning, and they leave you with a positive impression of the store.