I train cashiers at my supermarket...believe it or not I actually train them to hand back coins first, then count the bills back out load to the customer, then hand them the receipt. We go over and over this in class. Do they actually do this when cashing...half the time NO! This is a big pet peeve of mine, I just went through the drive thru and had the bills and change handed to me in a big bunch, change dropped out of my hand and landed on the ground, cashier giggled, I got mad, went inside and spoke with the manager and gave him instructions on how to teach his cashiers how to hand back change...he was not amused! I also got my $.78 back.
Our store stresses customer service, we are taught to announce te total of the order and make sure we are thanking customers whether they spend $.50 or $500.00! If I ever heard a cashier commenting on a customers purchases like you guys are describing I think I would flip out! I just had a talk with a cashier 2 days ago because he was spending so much time talking that I could see the customer getting really anoyed. (He was talking with his friend who also works for the company) I could see steam coming out of the customer.