Self Checkout

This is me at self-checkout

Self-checkout is a great convenience at the grocery store. I love it, it makes it quick and easy and it is one less person I have to deal with. But some people should not be allowed to use self-checkout. They are:

1. The elderly - They are slow enough already, we don't need them jamming up the self-checkout line. Just because you can still drive does not mean you can operate self-checkout


2. Stupid people - you know who you are. You are the people who cannot read, understand a bar code, find fruit or vegetable codes, follow instructions, use a touch screen, or scan your items fast enough. My goodness people you don't have to look at each item, find the bar code and scan. Speed it up people


3. Families - If there is a long line, do not let your children scan the items or process the transaction. I know it is fun for the kid, hell it is fun for adults too, but it slows us all up. You are the adult, show some restraint and do it yourself. Allow the kid to scan an item the next time nobody is in line behind you.


4. People with a lot of crap (ie fruits and vegetables) - I know I mentioned it above but it needs extra consideration and it compounded when someone has a lot of food to checkout. If you do now know how to find the items code or find it on the screen don't use self-checkout. You are too dumb to operate it. Plus if you have a lot of food it slows up the line, specially when it all bags up and you have to run and clear the end area to make more room. Come on, use a checker, it will save us all time and frustration.


5. People who cannot learn a simple lesson - these are the people who throw their food half way down the conveyor belt, where the system checks the item, only to have it come back because the system could not register it. First you are an idiot because you threw it. Just gently place it on the belt and move on. Throwing it does not help anyone, particularly me, if I am waiting behind you.


6. People who take their bags out of the bagging area before you are finished. The system will freak out if it thinks you are trying to take stuff away. Be patience, pay for all your stuff then remove the bag. (this happens at Safeway and CVS a lot)

Anyway, these are some of the things that drive me up a wall about self-checkout. It is a wonderful thing, but you have to realize your own limitations and know when to use a checker. Self-checkout is a privilege not a right. Not everyone has the right to use self-checkout and you should know who you are.