I was trying to get some things done last night. Trying to get in and out of stores before they shut down for the night. One of my errands took me to the local grocery store. I only needed a few things. When I was ready to check out, I went to the front and noticed there were two registers open. None of them were the 10 Items or Less Lane.
I reluctantly went to the self-checkout register. It's the one that has the soothing computer voice telling you to scan your purchaces, select how you want to pay, pay for your groceries and, when you have finished ringing yourself up, you must bag your own groceries.
I hate the self-checkout lines. I always avoid them whenever I can. Last night I bit the bullet and used it. As I said before I had more things to do.
I like using the regular lanes. I like the idle chatter with the cashier and person who's bagging. It's not a long time and it's mostly small talk but thatt's not the point. The point is you get to pass the time with another human being for a minute or two. Who knows? They could be having a bad day and your story or joke could be just what they need to cheer them up during a bad day at work.
There is one more thing that hit me last night as I was bagging my own stuff: I am doing someone's work. I am doing what an employee would normally do. Am I getting paid for this? No. Am I at least getting a discount? No. Why not? Gas stations give you a discount if you pull up to a self-serve tank and pump your own gas.
There are a lot of people out there who would kill for the chance to bag groceries. It's a job. They need a job. The store is cutting back on its workforce and making you do the work while taking your money. It's a grocery store. Everyone needs groceries. It's not like it's going to go out of business or have a slow period.
