Why Do Cashiers Comment On My Purchases?
I’ll preface my story by saying that strangers talk to me all the time. I get why: I seem friendly and wholesome, I look harmless, and I have a vaguely familiar face that makes me look like someone you may know. Am I so-and-so’s old college roommate? Do I know your granddaughter? I’ve heard it all.
People randomly talking to me is not something new, though recently I’ve noticed something interesting in what strangers are saying to me.
The other day, I was buying my usual Odwalla Superfood juice which I sometimes drink for breakfast.
“Wow, that juice is expensive huh?” the cashier said.
At multiple grocery stores, I’ve had cashiers comment on my expensive purchases of, say, organic produce or in this case slightly overpriced spinach/fruit juice.
Now if I was a smoker, would the person cashing me out have said, “Wow, this carton is expensive huh?” Of course not. Yet for some reason, when I buy something healthy, I get comments.
I know we are in hard economic times and my $6 gallon of juice may seem frivolous but why? My food and drink are an investment in my health. Why would someone, especially a stranger, share with me that they think it’s expensive?
Has this ever happened to you? And if so, have you noticed others stating opinions your purchases more lately?
On a related note, I found a recipe to make Odwalla juice at home for a third of the price. Hmph
I was going to mail a special gift and didn’t have a box. So when I was at my local Walmart, I bought a box. The clerk said, “Why Would anyone buy a box?” It was so rude. At the same store, a clerk told my husband’s grandfather that he really shouldn’t buy so much meat and cheese. Sheesh!
I have not experienced anything like this personally, but I’m pretty blunt and try to make it a point to look somewhat off putting because cashier’s have made these kinds of comments to my friends.
I was in line with a friend at our local grocery store. She was getting a few things like bread and milk and I was getting a box of hair color – I’m a fanatic on keeping up with my color.
Anywho, the cashier actually told my friend she should consider taking a leaf from my book because her roots were “something awful.”
Now, normally I’m a very nice person, but that pissed me off. You don’t mess with my friends. So, I happened to notice that they had a special on shampoo they were selling at the checkout counters. I told the cashier she should consider purchasing a bottle of shampoo because the grease on her head was enough to fry some bacon. To which both of them looked at me like I’d sprouted three heads. Then, I leaned over to the cashier and told her my friend was pregnant(she was), and I might have said an expletive or two, but I can’t remember. I was mad.
So, to avoid such uncultured behavior – because I really haven’t mastered the skill of turning the other cheek – I simply choose to look a little unfriendly so they don’t talk to me.
I realize that’s terrible, but I couldn’t believe the cashier had said that to my friend. I sort of just spouted off without thinking. So, I’m glad they’ve never said anything rude to me!
@ Christina – Did you say something about buying the box, or just ignore the cashier?
I think it’s because we’re related, I get the same “do I know you” comments. Right before Christmas D and I and few friends went to finish some Christmas shopping at Walmart. D had to buy for a collegue who he knew very little about, so to be safe he went with a candle set because he’d seen candles on her desk. When at the register, the cashier said “OH God someone else is going to get a candle for Christmas not very original”, my reply, A disgruntled walmart cashier at Christmas, not very original.” We smiled, wished her a very merry christmas and left, I think she’s still trying to figure out what I meant.
Being an ex-smoker I can say I’ve heard comments about how expensive the habbit is from cashiers to doctors. However, I can’t recall any comments on alcoholic beverages which is another fine example of discretionary spending.
That’s funny, I was at the grocery store this past weekend and the cashier commented on the fact that I bought veal because she thought it was wrong. She had this whole discussion with me that I did not care about and kept saying, lady, I’m just eating it because I like it, and finally left.
Next time tell them to bugger off….