As the primary grocery shopper in our household, I am sometimes daunted by the fact that I am in charge of my family's nutritional well-being. Others in this role know that you do your homework, read the labels, and buy what you think is best, within your budget. Rarely do I get in-store feedback on my selections. Til last night.
The cart was fully loaded, and I had my husband and son with me; I scanned the open aisles. Drat, the wheelchair-accessible lane is closed. That's my first choice when I have the little guy with me. So we head for a regular aisle with one of my favorite cashiers: Sue. I don't know Sue personally, but she's been at my store for a long time (9 years, according to her nametag) and she's the best bagger & cart-packer around. And I've told her so before. She groups items appropriately, double-bags where necessary, and does the paper/plastic combo where it makes sense. And she does it all swiftly. Hooray for Sue! Anyway, we greet each other, and I figure she doesn't know me from a hole in the wall. You must wait on a gazillion customers over 9 years. But I know Sue, and I know that my groceries are in good hands.
My husband went to look for one last item, and I was busy keeping the little guy's hands distracted. Sue and I barely chatted. She rang up my long conveyer belt of stuff, and at the last minute, I grabbed a small Dove dark chocolate candy bar. Sue knew that was a purse item (I love a smart cashier), so she handed it directly to me after she scanned it. I smiled and nodded sheepishly as I tucked it away.
Then Sue said "That's the only bad thing you bought!"
Huh?
And she continued "well, not that it's 'bad' but you buy really healthy stuff."
Really? Not always.
"Oh, I remember you, you do buy healthy stuff."
How can you remember?
"Oh you'd be surprised. Some of the orders we see coming through... Yes, I remember you. You get healthy stuff; I wish I ate so healthy."
Hmmph! The stamp of approval from Sue the cashier. How about that?! Nearly made me fall over. I thanked her for the compliment. It completely made my day.
I'm thinking of inviting Sue over so she can tell me how neat my house is. OK, so she'd laugh if she saw my house. But at least I got Sue's gold star for grocery shopping this week.
Ha! This is funny. You must feel overjoyed to have been validated by your cashier. And speaking as a former grocery store cashier myself, you do remember your customers. There was one in particular I remember. He always shopped on Saturday mornings, with his three small children in tow. Without fail, every Saturday, he purchased...Trojan condoms. And so he became known to me as Trojan Condom Man.
Posted by: Shish | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 09:31 AM
That is great! Now come shop for me. Maybe I'll get rid of those m&ms. ;-)
Posted by: vw bug | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 10:23 AM
I knew all my people when I was a cashier... Knew a lot more about them than they would ever imagine actually. Of course, that was long ago and at a convience store rather than groceries... but you'd be suprised by what the folks behind the register file away in their mind....
Posted by: guppyman | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 10:35 AM
Shish,
Every week?!?! That is too funny. Don't several come in a box? The wife probably sends him with the kids as an automatic reminder to put that box in the cart, huh? Funny!
VW,
Ha! Right. Now M&Ms... THOSE I buy at the credit union - there's always a kid outside peddling M&Ms. I still haven't found those ones you & Bou have mentioned...
Guppyman,
I'm sure it's a fascinating study in sociology, among other things. I've never been a cashier, but I can imagine...
Posted by: Marie | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 11:05 AM
It is funny how you remember certain people that you see on a regular basis. I shop several different stores but I always find myself going to the register with the friendly cashiers.
Posted by: Lucy Stern | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 02:32 PM
Thanks for the site visit today and the comments. I really appreciate it and hope to see you back. If you see the movie come back and let us know what you thought!
I'm so glad my wife does the grocery shopping 99% of the time. Meal planning, shopping, etc are a daunting task even on good days!
Posted by: Carl V. | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 05:28 PM
That's cool! Occasionally I like to play grocery snob and look over other people's orders, "I can't believe they eat that junk!" And then I have to hide my Mountain Dew and Milano cookies. hehe
Posted by: Katie | Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 10:18 PM
I had a cashier comment on my healthful selections once, too. It made me feel proud!
Posted by: Heather | Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 12:05 AM
This confirms my fear that people are examining the contents of my grocery cart and judging me on the basis of its nutritional content. Sigh.
Posted by: Suzanne | Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 09:17 AM
Suzanne,
I thought of you after this incident! I do think that most people are too caught up in their own little worlds to really notice or care what you've got in your cart! I know I'm usually pretty zoned out due to the bright lights when I shop!!
Posted by: Marie | Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 09:28 AM