Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 07:49     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
I’ve never noticed them doing it.

But I’d like to point out that Trader Joe’s DOES actually sell quite a few good/interesting things at reasonable prices. It’s probably not hard for them to notice things in your cart to say something relatively positive and truthful about.

The frozen overnight croissants are a modern miracle, for example.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 07:17     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:I love that there is only human power at Trader Joe’s. I despise that self checkout is 80% of most checkouts.


Really? I find that most of the staff don't really add to the experience. Occasionally, I'll get a good one but I have noticed that TJ staff members seem to really enjoy talking to each other rather than the customers.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 07:12     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
a thread on people positively engaging with people?
It's Sunday. Be grateful you have grocery store choice.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 07:03     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:I just hate when they have to ask what plans you have for the rest of the day.


Or "is it still hot outside"? LOLOL
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 19:53     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
What happened to the blueberry cream bars? I don't remember seeing it this summer.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 11:53     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just hate when they have to ask what plans you have for the rest of the day.


Ugh, same! Do they really want to hear that I’m going home to do mountains of laundry, scrub toilets, help kids with home, and cook?


They’d probably rather hear that over hearing you are jetting off to your second home. Saying something like “ugh, just tons of housework unfortunately” is very relatable.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 11:42     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I just hate when they have to ask what plans you have for the rest of the day.


Ugh, same! Do they really want to hear that I’m going home to do mountains of laundry, scrub toilets, help kids with home, and cook?


It's not necessary to supply a Gant chart.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 10:12     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:I just hate when they have to ask what plans you have for the rest of the day.


Ugh, same! Do they really want to hear that I’m going home to do mountains of laundry, scrub toilets, help kids with home, and cook?
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 07:12     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
I just hate when they have to ask what plans you have for the rest of the day.
Anonymous
Post 09/01/2025 21:02     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:I hate the forced interaction. I don’t find it necessary, and I don’t enjoy the forced putting on airs at the grocery checkout.

I don’t want to discuss my plans for the day.

I don’t want to discuss my weekend.

I don’t care that you also like the Elote corn chips.

If you want to know if it’s still “nice outside”, just look out the window that’s *right there*.

Just ring me up.


😩
Anonymous
Post 09/01/2025 10:56     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You do know the people that work there are in the business of making sales, right?


And you're already at the checkout getting the things scanned. It's not like they are convincing you to buy. They are just making you feel awesome about what you bought. Which you already should because their stuff is so darn good.

Only it doesn’t feel awesome, somehow it feels almost like an insult, because you know they’ve been instructed to pick a random item and praise it. It’s weird and unnecessary.


Eh. It’s probably genuine. I’m sure there is something in your cart they actually do like and are commenting on that.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2025 18:27     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:I always assumed the cashiers comments on food were to make easy small talk. It’s better than the Safeway near me where the cashier will tell me I killing myself by buying bacon. I mean I know Bacon is not a health food, but really do not need a lecture as I purchasing it.


You can fix that. Leave.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2025 14:56     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
I once mentioned I liked the pickle popcorn and the checkout guy told me about the pickle seasoning. I can now make it myself (the pickle popcorn has been seasonal). So they do have some decent tips.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2025 14:52     Subject: Re:Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It’s no different to me than finding anything else to comment on while we wait in line. They generally only comment occasionally about foods that are, indeed, awesome. They also ask me what I’m doing for the rest of the day. Small talk is generally considered polite in the US and it doesn’t surprise me that an employer suggests topics for their employees.


"in the US" is a strange thing to mention. Most of us don't shop anywhere else.


I guess I was thinking about cultural norms because I recently chatted with a friend who has been living in China, and she described how there is no chit chat with checkout clerks there.
Anonymous
Post 08/31/2025 14:20     Subject: Trader Joe’s—I hate knowing
I was buying the new TJ’s strawberry ice cream recently for the first time. The checker guy said it’s really good and he was right!! I don’t mind the banter. I’d rather chat than deal with self-checkout chaos.