Do you like when the cashier makes small talk about your purchases?

[Zombine]

Have you ever been to a store and the cashier decides to small talk to you about whatever item you are looking to purchase? This happens to me a lot and I would say that there is a 50/50 chance that it's completely awkward.

When I worked retail back in the day, I don't think I ever made direct comments based on a product that was being purchased unless explicitly asked. I was always kind and yes, would small talk, but never directly about the product. It feels super intrusive most of the time. I feel like some stores are way worse with this than others. Barnes & Noble is one where the cashier will almost 100% of the time try to connect with you over what you're buying, and I either have to explain to them what it is, or they use it as a common interest point and want to talk to you about a subject and half the time I'm on lunch and just want to get out of there quick.

If you have experienced this, can you think of any weird comments that threw you off guard? I remember one time I was at Walmart with my brother, and when he checked out the cashier goes, "aren't you a little OLD to be playing with these?" When he went to buy a LEGO set.

But yeah, I just find it pretty weird. Are you cool with it or is it equally uncomfortable for you?

 

[Mekanos]

Doesn't bother me at all, they're working a shitty retail job and trying to either make it a little more manageable or following company rules, I'm just polite at all times.

 

[Zombine]

Doesn't bother me at all, they're working a shitty retail job and trying to either make it a little more manageable or following company rules, I'm just polite at all times.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, I'm always super polite but I would rather talk about anything other than what I'm purchasing.

 

[Lupo]

I sure do Friendo:

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Anton (Javier Bardem) has an intense exchange with a local gas station owner (Gene Jones). In this scene: Anton (Javier Bardem), Gas Station Proprietor (Gene...

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[Candylion]

.

 

[Tathanen]

please never speak to me

 

[Tohsaka]

No, it makes me uncomfortable and I'd rather they didn't.

 

[Quinton]

As someone who worked this gig for years, if they're doing it, odds are good they're trying anything, anything at all, to survive this shit.

 

[jackie daytona]

Nope. I hate it. Not there to make friends, there to shop.

 

[Kasai]

I don't mind too much, but places like Barnes and Noble, record shops, and maybe comic shops I feel make sense to have small talk about what you're buying. It's nice when they try to connect about what you're getting.

Unless it's the adult shop, I don't really want to talk about why I'm getting what I'm getting.

 

[Royalan]

The only time it bothers me is if I'm actively being held up for prolonged conversation, which has happened, but is rare.

But small talk while we're going through the motions? Doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Tavernade]

My ideal cash register transaction is "hello - are you part of loyalty program yes/no - you owe us this amount - have a nice day." I say that as both someone who's occasionally a cashier and someone who buys things.

 

[Rosebud]

Years ago the cashier of the store in front of my job said something like "Oh today you're smiling, usually you are so serious" which made me self-conscious

 

[Atom]

I love small talk with cashiers and/or others in the queue. It's never bothered me unless idk the person is super offensive or I need to get somewhere.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

I dont mind because they're normally asking about my diet. My cart is filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and mushrooms.

 

[Lightus]

I don't like it but I'll definitely join in if they initiate. It's a harmless thing to do.

For some reason I'm never mentally prepared for it when it happens though. Ex: One time I went to the store to pick up medicine, ice cream, and bread since I was feeling sick and that's the only things that sounded appealing. Cashier was like "oh making ice cream sandwiches?" And I was so out of it I didn't respond basically at all. To this day I feel awkward about it lol.

 

[Ariakon44]

It's fine if they're being positive. I had to go to a 7-Eleven late at night one time to get some food for my niece and nephew since I had to take care of them for a surprise family matter and the guy tried to make fun of me for getting Mac & Cheese and kid's cereal. It's because I was buying food for kids and that store was literally the only thing open at the time.

 

[Melpomene]

I'd prefer they not do it because I'm an awkward mess, but I don't really fault them for it one way or another. As long as you're not holding me up, a couple seconds of small talk while going through the motions isn't the end of the world.

 

[Nola]

Pretty sure Trader Joe's makes their employees talk and mention something of yours they like, and while I'd rather just be silent and go on my way, I always try and be nice and make the situation as easy as possible for them cause I'm sure it gets annoying having to do that all day.

 

[dodo]

it's pleasant when people are sociable

 

[DenverCo]

Nothing wrong with a little human interaction. I say this but I don't like small talk in ubers.

 

[noquarter]

Really depends on the small talk. Someone excited I'm buying a game they enjoy and they want to talk about it, go ahead. Someone telling me the condoms I buy are too small for them, GTFO.

When I worked retail, most of my small talk was related to excitement for their purchase, or informing them of ancillary products that would go with their purchase.

 

[PoppaBK]

"Enjoy!"
"Who wouldn't enjoy 300lb of salt?"
"......"

Kind of felt bad, as they were just being pleasant.

 

[BringBackSonics]

I had a cashier comment on my MTS3K shirt and I totally loved it

 

[nsilvias]

not really. i wanna get in and get out. im someone who worked in fast paced food jobs tho so i hate anything that wastes time

 

[Morlas]

Years ago the cashier of the store in front of my job said something like "Oh today you're smiling, usually you are so serious" which made me self-conscious

Click to shrink...

Imagine how it feels when people try to psychoanalyze you as a cashier because you're not smiling enough for their liking.

 

[hydruxo]

As long as it isn't something judgmental / rude then I don't mind it tbh. I mean I don't want to stand there any longer than the amount of time it takes to buy what I'm buying, but if it's a friendly convo while they're finishing ringing me up then it's all good. Working in retail is rough so I get wanting to break up the monotony. It's better than retail workers who barely speak to you.

Also you're right about Barnes & Noble cashiers always saying something. I'd imagine the company tells them to do it because when I think back on it they're the only place I've been to that is really consistent about commenting on what you're buying. I don't really mind it though, the cashiers at the B&N near me are nice.

 

[Zombine]

I can absolutely see why people steal condoms (prior to self checkout.) Should it happen? Absolutely not. But for people that still care about that sort of thing, the last thing you want to hear is some awkward joke at the register about "getting some" or whatever.

 

[Hollywood Duo]

As long as it's not some forced hard sell I don't care

 

[Rosebud]

Imagine how it feels when people try to psychoanalyze you as a cashier because you're not smiling enough for their liking.

Click to shrink...

This must suck

I don't get why some people think employees (or people in general) should smile 24/7 or they hate you

 

[HououinKyouma]

Whatever makes their job easier. Having to deal with so many shitty people all day sounds awful.

 

[Zeliard]

please never speak to me

Click to shrink...

Sometimes people just ask for avatar quotes without asking for them and I'm really not beyond providing such a service

 

[nicoga3000]

About 16 or 17 years ago, I went to a Walgreens to buy a Cosmo magazine. The lady at the register looked at me and said, "So, you gonna bone up tonight?"

Super awkward and a bit uncomfortable. Since then, I've low-key preferred the least interaction possible. Let me buy my shit and leave.

 

[Zombine]

Whatever makes their job easier. Having to deal with so many shitty people all day sounds awful.

Click to shrink...

Yeah it does. Like I said, most of my interactions are pleasant and I always smile and entertain it and engage. I just find it to be odd sometimes when the conversation starter is explicitly the product in hand. Sometimes I don't really want to explain why I'm buying the manga that says "explicit content" on the cover 😂

 

[weemadarthur]

I don't like surprise questions. Comment that i can respond to with a grunt are whatever. But on days when I'm feeling alive i might joke with a cashier to try to improve their day. If i'm at the grocery in basically pajamas and my hair isn't combed, just don't talk to me tho, take a hint.

 

[Zombine]

I don't like surprise questions. Comment that i can respond to with a grunt are whatever. But on days when I'm feeling alive i might joke with a cashier to try to improve their day. If i'm at the grocery in basically pajamas and my hair isn't combed, just don't talk to me tho, take a hint.

Click to shrink...

So how about them carrots. Extra orange today right?

 

[Benzychenz]

I would much, much prefer they small talk the weather or something and not what I'm buying. Anything but what I'm buying. Makes me feel so insecure and exposed.

 

[weemadarthur]

So how about them carrots. Extra orange today right?

Click to shrink...

*mumblefuckoffmumble*

 

[Doggg]

A little small talk is ok.

 

[Rookhelm]

I want nothing more than "hi" and "your total is"

 

[Lotto]

So how about them carrots. Extra orange today right?

Click to shrink...

this kinda small talk is welcome, it's the judgy ones that can fuck off. mind your own business when i'm buying something that is clearly overpriced!!

 

[AstronaughtE]

I don't much care for it all but I'm sure they don't know that.

I will say that I have been avoiding getting my hair cut because I have a hard time dealing with small talk while there. I hate it. Usually they ask a few questions and I give few terse replies and they get the picture, but more and more frequently I run into person that feels like they're writing my biography.

 

[krae_man]

I don't mind. The weirdest one I got was

"That's a cool shit, what is it?"
"Thanks, it's Uncharted"
"Is that a video game?"
"Yes"
"Is it on PlayStation or something?"
"Yes"
"Huh, never heard of it. Is it any good?"
"Yes"

 

[jotun?]

They must be trained to not do that around here, because I can't think of a time where that has ever happened.

They'll comment on other things, but never about what I'm buying

 

[Rhomega]

I use self-checkout so I can avoid interacting with people.

 

[Ouroboros]

No I hate it and that's why I do curbside or self checkout as much as possible

 

[onyx]

No, it's annoying. I act friendly and chat back though. I use self checkout a often as I can.

 

[sfedai0]

Cashier -oh, I've never tried this (item). It looks good

Me- Yes

 

[Hecht]

I've worked retail. Sometimes small talk is just a simple way to keep yourself sane for a bit.

 

[atomsk eater]

I don't like it. I'll be polite and chuckle along to joke attempts because I know retail work sucks ass but I'd prefer people didn't talk about things I buy because I sometimes get kinda defensive feeling about it, idk. One of the few times I'd say I prefer smalltalk about the weather or weekend plans.