I’m an introvert and I prefer self-checkout because I never have to pause my podcast. With regular check-out I have to pause it for a few minutes while they’re scanning my stuff in case they have a question like “do you need bags? do you have a loyalty card?” Other people might enjoy those interactions, or might want to make small-talk with the cashier. I just want to keep listening to the podcast.
I’m willing to do a bit more work and spend a bit more time if I don’t have to stand there being attentive to the cashier.
I’m with you man. I love just listening to music while I scan my items and going away. Entire shopping process without interacting with anyone at all. Amazing.
Exactly. Cashiers are perfectly nice people, but I don’t really look forward to interacting with them. It doesn’t improve my shopping experience in any way. OTOH I really enjoy my podcasts or music, let me stay in my bubble enjoying my thing and my shopping experience is better.
This is a reason I used to admire Japan, before the days of self-check out. Japan had amazing vending machines that would sell you a huge variety of things. Again, get what you want without having to interact with other people. Win!
Most of the cashiers I interacted with years ago weren’t really nice. Not that I blame them, the job is boring, the hours are terrible and some people are horrible to serve. As someone who worked in retail and finished every single shift tired and cranky, I get why cashiers don’t want to interact with you anymore than you do want to interact with them.
I’m an introvert and I prefer self-checkout because I never have to pause my podcast. With regular check-out I have to pause it for a few minutes while they’re scanning my stuff in case they have a question like “do you need bags? do you have a loyalty card?” Other people might enjoy those interactions, or might want to make small-talk with the cashier. I just want to keep listening to the podcast.
I’m willing to do a bit more work and spend a bit more time if I don’t have to stand there being attentive to the cashier.
I’m with you man. I love just listening to music while I scan my items and going away. Entire shopping process without interacting with anyone at all. Amazing.
Exactly. Cashiers are perfectly nice people, but I don’t really look forward to interacting with them. It doesn’t improve my shopping experience in any way. OTOH I really enjoy my podcasts or music, let me stay in my bubble enjoying my thing and my shopping experience is better.
This is a reason I used to admire Japan, before the days of self-check out. Japan had amazing vending machines that would sell you a huge variety of things. Again, get what you want without having to interact with other people. Win!
Most of the cashiers I interacted with years ago weren’t really nice. Not that I blame them, the job is boring, the hours are terrible and some people are horrible to serve. As someone who worked in retail and finished every single shift tired and cranky, I get why cashiers don’t want to interact with you anymore than you do want to interact with them.
So hooray for neither side having to interact!