The trolley and the checkout girl
The trolley and the checkout girl
Most of us are familiar with Aldi. The unbelievably low prices, but also the downside of having to eat your entire trolley of fresh foods with a three to four day eat by/ sell by/rot by date.
So whilst being organised with my meal planning, I do find, quite frequently, that I will have four or five items that need to be eaten on the same day!
It’s usually prawns, salmon and chicken... all items that you really don’t want to risk running over with the date.
Anyway, the point of this blog is not really about the food as such, although, that is mainly the sole purpose of my weekly trip. It is, in fact, all about the checkout experience!
Some days, I am ready with the bags outstretched, knees bent, arms out, ready to receive the items one by one being launched towards me! Other days it feels like a huge back up and I just can’t get the bags open quick enough.
Most weeks I announce,
“I’m ready... go for it.”
They look at me as if you say,
“Oh this little pocket rocket is up for a challenge!“
For any of you that are old enough, there was a scene in “ I Love Lucy” where she is working on a conveyor belt sorting through chocolate and it goes so fast she has to eat half the contents of the moving chocolates on the conveyor, if not wrapped quick enough she gets fired! This ends up with her mouth stuffed full, chocolates down her top and the rest shoved in her hat!
Only last week, a girl requested that I do my bagging up on the side... I am all about the time management so I said (politely of course),
“I would rather not thank you. I appreciate you need to get this through quickly so go as fast as you like.”
And she did! ( I was Lucy!)
Another visit a few years ago, I had a rather cheeky, flirtatious experience with a young cashier. The conversation was rather racy and exceptionally funny. He handed me all the items slowly as we just chatted like he had all the time in the world!
I always hoped I would see him again to see if we could relive the chat but sadly, he was never on the checkout again. I fear he may have been fired for being too slow!
*disclaimer: he was half my age if not more... so no hope or desire for an Aldi love romance!
The other day (that could vary between 2 days, 2 weeks or 2 months), I had the most delightful experience. This particular lady, on the till, was maybe in her late 30’s,40’s, 50’s ( covering my ass on that one) but her enthusiasm and energy was OFF the scale. She had served me before and she made me feel all fuzzy and warm with her energy. She greeted everyone with a,
“How are you?”
But not just a standard phrase that blurts out in a monotone voice, clearly not giving two sh*ts how you are. This was a real interest. It was her manner, her smile, her eye contact. I observed her with the people in front of me and the people behind me and her energy and enthusiasm didn’t waiver... not once!
The other day (after the other day so maybe a week ago), I was at another till and I could hear her. I looked over and smiled at her, I was so taken aback again by her manner that I almost went over to her to tell her what a delightful person she was.
I left Aldi that day as I do most days, slightly exhausted from having most of my food clustered crammed and chaotic in my bags, if i am lucky some made it in my trolley, some on the floor, in my mouth and down my top, not tried stuffing it in my hats yet!. But this time, with the realisation that a stranger really can make your day.
It also got me thinking, why is it, that the cashier has to be the one to make us smile and happy?What would it take for us to give a compliment, a smile or a pleasantry?
Next time you go in the shops and you are at the checkout, try to put away your phone, if you happen to get it out with a moment to spare and a cheeky Facebook check . Observe those around you. Maybe make pleasantries with people near by. I appreciate that it’s difficult at the moment masked up but many people might not have had a single positive interaction that day.
Be the reason to make someone’s day today with a kind word. Smiles aren’t so obvious at the moment.
Also to help with the bagging I recommend these beauties. Click on this link. Oh and maybe a hat!
With love and gratitude,
Sian
Edit****
On the 20th December, the checkout girl served me. Her name was Debbie, I told her about this blog I was slightly overcome with emotion ( hormones and pandemic) when I told her. I hadn’t seen her since I wrote the blog back in September. She was beautifully gracious also welled up and said that I had had made her day, her week, her month. So please, if someone makes you smile, tell them. I don’t know that I will ever forget today’s exchange. May there be more Debbie’s in this world.
