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by groupthinking 2915 days ago
Self-checkout. I got to the store, get my groceries, and see long lines of people standing waiting to checkout. There is only one clerk checking people out; everyone else has to go wait in the self-checkout line. We all stand and wait. One person has a problem finding a code for veggies. Another can't get their card to work. Another is wondering why their is a price discrepancy. And so on; each with a problem that could easily be solved by a clerk in no time at all, but now they have to stare at the machine, wait for the machine to tell them there is a problem try to figure it out themselves, they go to the clerk at the computer screen who can now come and take a look. That clerk, by the way, does not particularly enjoy dealing with customers and it shows, because they are all coming to her with stupid questions. Clerks in general now don't like interacting with customers because they see customers are looking at them as a kind-of self-checkout+.

When I get to the self-checkout, finally, I feel ten people waiting behind me. I can't make a mistake! I have to hurry! I scan items quickly, I see them rolling down to the end of the conveyor belt, piling up. No mistakes! Then I have to run down and pack all of my groceries before the next person begins, but it's too late, they are sending down their peanut butter, milk, etc.
2 comments
loco5niner 2915 days ago
That is not my experience with self-checkout. I guess I'm lucky. I love self-checkout because I can get through so fast. Yes, I run into problems sometimes, but the attendant is usually right on top of it.

I welcome this change.

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chrismcb 2914 days ago
The store doesn't pay me to work for them. So I refuse to use self check out. If there was a discount to use it, then I might consider it.
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eezurr 2915 days ago
After I leave the store, I realize another piece of my humanity is chipped off. The cold mechanical sheen and faceless voice of the machine does nothing to warm my heart like a "how's your day?" from smiling lips of warm flesh.

Food is now just another objective to tap onto the clipboard. A long passionless journey from farm to mouth, untouched by human hands. Tasteless mass production.

/satire, almost

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