What Does Everyone Think of Teen Cashiers At Stores?

[Wish Upon A Star]

I'm just wondering because DD started her first job in late November at a grocery store as a cashier and she has had some horrible experiences, one which made her cry in front of everyone who was in her line . . .

When I used to go grocery shopping, I never treated any cashier rudely at all, its not the type of person I am . . .But the stories that she comes home with sometimes are completely nuts . . .

The wacko woman who made her cry was trying to get away with something and probably new that DD was new and unsure of how to handle things. This woman had two orders, one was with a WIC check and the other regular grocery check. DD rang the orders seperately and did what she needed to do, but the woman started to scream at the top of her lungs at DD when she thought that DD didn't double her coupons on her WIC order. DD turned on her light for the front end manager and had to wait while this woman was still continuing to ridicule my DD about her stupid coupons . . .DD's front end manager came over and asked the woman to stop screaming and what the problem was. DD then had to turn away because the woman was calling her names and that made DD start to Turns out DD didn't do anything wrong and the woman was just trying to get something extra through her WIC check that wasn't included . . . Two nights ago this elderly woman was buying 5 cans of cat food which were on sale for $1.19/can. When DD rang them up they rang up $1.26 . . .the elderly woman told her they were $1.19 and DD said yes, but then there is tax . . .the elderly woman told DD she didn't know what she was talking about and that she didn't know what she was doing and then took her cat food and walked away from the register and used self-check-out . . .

Are people really this rude to teens or what?

 

[EdiePA]

My son was a grocery store cashier for two years in high school and I really give him credit for sticking it out!

But the best was when one woman told him that she always looked for his line to check out because "at least he had half a brain".

Edie
and hugs to your daughter!

 

[Sparx]

egads! I'm sorry for your dd. Those people are rude! Its just like being a waiter/waitress. You would be amazed the adults that act like snot nosed brats!

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I am really sorry this happened to your daughter. I was a cashier for 5 years. I started when I was 17. It's tough sometimes. I don't know if some customers are specifically rude to the cashier because they are young. I really hope not. Most cashiers are teenagers because otherwise who would be working for such little pay?? If they don't like dealing with young employees then they should shop during the daytime when most of them are in school. I think some people are just rude in general and you have to just ignore them.

I too have dealt with more than my fair share of extremely rude people. I've had people throw their money at me, throw other items at me, curse me out, scream yell and just be plain nasty. I never let them get to me. Your daughter did the right thing by calling a manager over. My best advice is to tell her to completely ignore whatever the rude customer is saying and call a manager over. She is not getting paid enough to deal with it and she shouldn't. I remember one time during the holiday season my store (along with a few others in the area) ran out of shopping bags. We only had really small ones that would hold about a bottle of shampoo. Most customers understood and if needed we would use a trash bag to hold their stuff. I had a few people absolutely lose it on me. I would walk away. And my managers never got mad at me for that. So if your daughter needs, tell her to just walk away. It is not her job to help someone who is making it impossible.

Many hugs to your daughter, I've been there, done that, and understand 100%. If she ever needs she can vent and rant to me, I'll probably have a few stories of my own to share.

 

[chell]

No, people are not this rude to teenagers, but to cashiers in general.

Generally I don't have a problem in the world with a teen cashier as long as they are doing their job. At one of my local grocery stores there are a few teens there who will stand and chat about last nights supposed sexual episodes in their life while you wait for them to acknowledge your existence. Those are the ones who annoy me. All of the other teens do a great job.

I work part-time at night as a cashier, not at a grocery store though, and you would not believe how rude some people can be. Some people really do look down on cashiers. I have had people flat out tell me that I was wrong when I knew the answer for certain. They would go ask someone else and get the same answer. Funny how they will not take the word of the lowly cashier but will get the same answer from someone who works on the floor and that answer is acceptable. I don't get it.

I know I am one to be saying this but tell your daughter she should not take it personally - these people are CRAZY!

to your daughter from me.

 

[Lizzydoll73]

Are people really this rude to teens or what?

Yes, some people are that rude and not just to teens. Some people feel the need to belittle others who work in service type jobs. I used to work in retail and you could not believe some of the things customers would do and say. Sorry about what happened to your DD. Tell her not to take it personally, some people are just not nice.

 

[Stacerita]

People seem to just be rude in general. Not all people, but enough of them. Sorry your daughter had to put up with that kind of behavior. She did the right thing in calling the manager. That woman was out of line. Calling your DD names and insulting her for what?.....so she could get another something free because the WIC wasn't enough? I give it to your DD if she can stick it out. I wouldn't be able to since I would have probably told that later where she could stick her coupons.

 

[chell]

People seem to just be rude in general. Not all people, but enough of them. Sorry your daughter had to put up with that kind of behavior. She did the right thing in calling the manager. That woman was out of line. Calling your DD names and insulting her for what?.....so she could get another something free because the WIC wasn't enough? I give it to your DD if she can stick it out. I wouldn't be able to since I would have probably told that later where she could stick her coupons.

One thing I have noticed is that the people who are the most rude are people who are trying to get away with something. Now I'm not saying that is always the case when someone is rude, but it has been fairly frequent in my experience.

Some days I just want to tell the rude people off. Wish I could do it without raising my voice and loosing my temper though. That is why I don't even waste one word on them.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Wow. I am definitely in the minority. I always try my best to be cordial and friendly. I was a supermarket cashier at 16 and I didn't let people get to me.

I think it takes less energy to be kind and it creates positive energy when you leave!

This should be a new year resolution to all of those that think people are disposable.

 

[Sleepy]

I have to say it is not just teenager cashiers who are treated rudely. I was in Orlando one year on vacation and went to a local grocery store for a few items. There was a woman in front of me who had food stamps/WIC. The cashier was an older lady, so it was rich the way she handled the woman. Well, the problem was the lady tried to get brand name canned milk and the register would not ring it up. The lady got hysterical. The cashier told her she could not get that milk. That she had to get the store brand. She went into a rage that her kids would drink no other CANNED milk but that brand. Ok, what kids drink CANNED milk? Anyway, the manager came over and told the lady she would get store brand or none. So, she took the store brand. As she left, the cashier said "She should be thankful she is getting ANY milk. She is not working and getting this stuff for free and yelling at me...a person who is working for a living to help support her." The bagger snickered and agreed and I just shook my head in agreement.

I have only had 2 complaints with cashiers.......both were younger. One worked at 7-11 and was barely legal enough to sell alcohol. Anyway, I went to the store to buy my hubby a pack of cigarettes. Did not have my ID and he refused to sell them to me. I told him I was old enough and he got an attitude. Told me to get my ID. I said fine, I would be right back with my ID. he said sarcastically "Sure you will " OK, so I went to the house for ID and purposely went back to Mr. Smarty pants. Showed him my ID and he was embarrassed that I proved him wrong. The other one was at a grocery store. It was our anniversary and we stopped to get some beer and wine. Hubby put the stuff on the conveyor belt and I pulled the money out to pay for it. He said "I need your ID". OH great. It was in the car. I then handed the money to my husband and the guy said "No, he can't pay or it. It's YOUR purchase". I had to go to my car for the ID. I handed the money to my husband and let him pay for it. I was clearly much much older than the cashier. Even the people in line were appauled.

 

[barkley]

some people are just rude by nature. they are going to be rude to whomever whenever.

the only problem i have with younger cashiers (and i blame their employers not them) is that the majority do not know how to count back change or even calculate a simple transaction (so many look so purplexed if the bill is 6.11 and i hand them a ten dollar bill and a penny, they keep trying to hand the penny back to me). employers also don't seem to train grocery cashiers on bagging anymore-they know not to bag detergent with food products but the concept of not putting 20 cans in one paper bag eludes them (or putting the bread under the 2 liter bottle of soda ). i recently bought a 12 pack of cupcakes (decorated) and the young cashier flipped the entire case upside down to scan the code on the top (she had a hand held scanner she could have pulled out to use) then got upset when i said i needed a new package to replace the now smashed ones ("why, i'll just have to ring them up the same way" ).

i think it would be better all around if the employers would put a bit more time into training their younger staff. one of my local grocery stores is good about this-in addition to training, they always put the newbie in the register next to the most experienced worker who is available to help them out with questions (and crazy shoppers)-they solved the wic problem by reserving one register for these purchases and it is manned by a cashier familiar with the programs guidelines and restrictions (and i admit, how she keeps straight which cereal brand is o.k., which cheese product is approved-amazes me).

 

[sunnyshine]

I have been a cashier for many years and it is not just to teens. But you cant get some people to understand that every job is important. We had a High school counselor that made a speech to parents about you not wanting to have your kids working at a grocery store after High School do you? Well guess what if you need gas for your car that station attendant is about the most important person to meet your needs at that time. Tell your daughter to not let people that are rude get to her. She is doing a job that to the people in line that need groceries she is a very vital part of that process. Some people will always be rude and some people will always think they are better then others....not right just human nature for some people.

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

I also agree with the training part . . .because I have to say that DD wasn't trained like I was when I was 16. They started her with bagging, then had her "watch" another cashier, then boom, she's all by herself, not in an express register and expected to know what to do. But I have to say that she did pick up cashiering quickly and does enjoy what she does . . .just that some nights she has rude customers . . .I give her lots of credit though because if anyone ever started on me I would of told them where to go in not so many nice words . . .

 

[ilovepcot]

I have the highest respect for teen cashiers! In fact, most give me better service than the older cashiers I've dealt with recently. They were faster and more "on the ball"! Hope your daughter can develop the ability to overlook the "small people" and enjoy her job.

 

[RitaZ.]

I have had mostly good experiences with teenage cashiers. I think a lot has to do with the management of the store. For instance, my local Joann Fabrics has great teenage employees, they are cheerful, polite and helpful. I went to their store today looking for fabric dye, I approached two young ladies and they immediately directed me to its location. I know their store manager and she runs a "tight ship", even when she is not there. Same experiences at Stein Mart and Bed, Bath and Beyond, the management is on top of things and so are the kids.

Another good one, I went to Victoria's Secret during the holidays to purchase a gc, the cashier was a teen. Again, friendly, polite and she even asked me for my i.d. when I used my credit card, definitely on top of it.

Now, the cashiers at Sears, not just the teens, but especially the older employees, they are downright foul and rude. The last time I went to Sears, I greeted the cashier (young girl) and she said nothing, not even eye contact. When we walked away, DH turned to me and said, "Well, she was cheerful!" I avoid Sears like the plague! .

 

[Nancy]

I work in grocery, I am the one that trains those kids at my store, and I think customers are just rude in general. The kids follow policy and procedure; they do not make the rules, but they are expected to carry through on them.....don't yell at a cashier for doing their job....yell at the person in corporate that gets paid mega dollars who made up the policies. Our cashiers receive over 32 hours of training time...at least 16 of that is spent learning the registers and policies. The rest is their "live" training with me standing behind them watching and stepping in if necessary.

I have not figured out what gives these people the right to yell at someone for doing their job....and especially for yelling at a minor. My 16 yr old works on the registers and she tells me the customers are horrible sometimes. If I ever hear one yelling at my daughter, they better watch out, (and I'll probably get fired) I will NOT tolerate anyone yelling at her but me!

I have been screamed at for not selling beer to a person with no ID. I have been told I need to go to school and get a "real" job...excuse me but I work over 40 hours a week this is my real job. I have been sworn at, called names, threatened (I was told this is how girls like me get themselves shot), and had the you know what scared out of me by a customer that got so close and in my face that I thought he was going to hit me....all because I was following policies.

Don't even get me started on those WIC checks!

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

Nancy you hit the nail on the head. That is a majority of what I was screamed at for by the customers: following policy. Many would try to get me to let them slide by. They don't understand that if I did that I would have been fired. They were not worth me losing my job over. If a coupon was to be used only once, that is what I did. If the coupon was $3.50 off a $10 purchase, an $8 purchase was not going to cut it now matter how much you tried to beg me. Everything I did on the register was logged and I was not taking that chance.

Another problem was my stores return policy. When I started, to make a return the customer had 30 days and they did not need a receipt. (Don't get me started on that policy. UGH! ) Then about the last two years I worked there corporate changed the return policy. A receipt was mandatory and they had 60 days now. And the customer could return anything, and I mean anything. I had many people return overly used lipsticks, how gross. I belived that the return policy was more than fair. Many customers would refuse to stick to the new policy and would beg, plead, and argue to return items without receipts. One customer even got mad enough that he stood outside the store for hours telling people to not shop there anymore. We didn't even bother calling the police, he was comical. That was when I refused to work as a cashier anymore and became inventory. I had my fill of being abused by rude customers.

 

[Crankyshank]

I tend to have better experience with teen cashiers than I do with retirees or middle aged cashiers. The teens are friendlier and overall seem to have a better disposition.
I'm another person that tries to be cordial and friendly with cashiers and customer service people. Sometimes they make it impossible for you to be nice to them, though.

 

[Nite0wl71]

One thing I have noticed is that the people who are the most rude are people who are trying to get away with something. Now I'm not saying that is always the case when someone is rude, but it has been fairly frequent in my experience.

I have to agree. I work at an Osco, I am not a cashier but people are rude no matter what age the cashier is. I have found out that they try to take advantage of the older cashiers too.

I also noticed some people are just waiting to start an arguement over anything. It goes back to customer service and at one time people would get free items or gift cards if they were upset.

I am sorry this happened to your DD, we always tell the customers they are not allowed to talk to the cashiers or any worker like that. My manager has actually made some people leave the store.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Please pass on a for your daughter. That was a shame.