"I'll take the next customer on register 3"

[Deleted]

*Last person in line runs to the new register*

[xCompackx]

That always amuses me. It's like whenever someone says "I can help who's next" or something similar, there's always one person near the end who probably thinks "That must mean me!" and rushes over there.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

As someone who works in the food service industry(specifically, a grocery store deli) I can tell you that people turn into idiots when they're forced to wait in line, and will automatically assume "Next" means them, no matter how many people are ACTUALLY in front of them.

[Back to being Cenanuff]

Hey, I've been that guy, and I can tell you this: the cashier doesn't own the line, and doesn't really care who was "next". They're just dreading the fact that they have to start working, and dealing with folks. New register opening is like Thunderdome...no rules.

Anymore, I just wait in the line I was in, and get pictures of all the carnage caused by the scrum that happens when a new register opens. I'm usually out the door quicker doing that.

[xCompackx]

I generally try to be the "Oh, you can go ahead" guy in line if there's somebody who has more stuff or something, but sometimes you do just want to go home.

[Pooh Carlson]

If I'm last in line, I'll pause and look to see if somebody in front of me will go. If they don't move after a couple of seconds, it's fair game.

[Malcolm]

Sept 22, 2015 13:51:24 GMT -5 Pooh Carlson said:

If I'm last in line, I'll pause and look to see if somebody in front of me will go. If they don't move after a couple of seconds, it's fair game.

This is usually me, except I wait 5 seconds. 

That and I usually have 1 or 2 items and my cash ready.

[Deleted]

I never notice. I wear earbuds where ever I'm in line, right up until I actually start talking with the cashier. Then I take them out.

Even more idiotic is the people talking on their phone will simultaneously trying to interact with the cashier.

Easiest way to spot a douchebag ever.

[Vice honcho room temperature]

Sept 22, 2015 12:20:26 GMT -5 2coldMack is even more baffled said:

As someone who works in the food service industry(specifically, a grocery store deli) I can tell you that people turn into idiots when they're forced to wait in line, and will automatically assume "Next" means them, no matter how many people are ACTUALLY in front of them.

Sure because its being selfish not dumb. If everyone was waiting in one line and proceeding to the next open register then yeah the last guy on line wouldn't try to go first. But in a supermarket you have 7 different lines so its a free for all

[Back to being Cenanuff]

Thunderdome.

[Reflecto]

And so letting the register have the "next" customer, who's presumably already started to enter into the register's trappings and would have to go all the way out of the line to get there, giving everyone else in line even more problems as they have to let the person out, is so much better?

[Deleted]

I was once the guy toward the end of the line who did this.

Thing is, the girl at the register said this to the line I was in.........I waited........no one in front of me or even behind moved........she said it again.......I waited......10 seconds total, and finally I went.

And she STILL said, "No sir, I said the next customer."

I replied, "But no one moved."

"Next customer!"

I put my item down and walked out, never to return.


......my last time in any Circuit City, actually.

[Deleted]

"Takes 21 items to the 20 items or less counter.

[G✇JI☈A]

Sept 22, 2015 15:43:18 GMT -5 @snesmaster said:

"Takes 21 items to the 20 items or less counter.

I see people do this all the time. I guess it's just easier on the cashier to ring up their purchase then to start an argument with the customer.

[Porky's Butthole]

It's fun to go to a crowded ass Walmart and just walk up to a register and shout "I CAN HELP SOMEONE OVER HERE!" and watch the chaos unfold.

[Capt Lunatic]

"Next customer" means who ever gets there first. Literally anyone but the person currently being helped.

"Next customer in line" is less of a gray area.

Sept 22, 2015 14:30:45 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

I never notice. I wear earbuds where ever I'm in line, right up until I actually start talking with the cashier. Then I take them out.

       Easiest way to spot a douchebag ever.

Yup.

[The Summer of Muskrat XVII]

I live in Canada, so it's usually the opposite problem. Cashier says they'll help whose next, and 3-4 people stand around motioning for someone else to go

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

As the cart attendant I hate it when I am pushing a row of carts and ask do you need a cart, customer replies no guess who is up near the door looking for a cart they see me and ask Oh Can I have a cart....to myself YOU DIDN'T NEED ONE A MINUTE AGO

[Jedi-El of Tomorrow]

Sept 22, 2015 15:43:18 GMT -5 @snesmaster said:

"Takes 21 items to the 20 items or less counter.

I saw someone take 40 items to the 20 items or less counter. Their response after the cashier got done with everything "I guess I was a couple items over."

[ayumidah]

I usually try to stay in line, unless the other lines are quieter and no one's rushing for them, or behind me. One time the store was crazy and a manager was directing people around and she told me I could go into the 15 items or less line, the cashier didn't seem too happy and I felt awkward trying to explain "Manager said I could come here" so I just kind of kept my head down till I was done.

But then you have the other side of the coin. Went down the 15 items or less lane with one item, and the cashier just stood there for a minute until I got my rewards card out and held it out for her. "Is this all you have?" and I had to say yes before she'd start ringing me up. Not sure what she thought exactly with that.