All teens should experience being a cashier

As a bagger, they are right there with the cashier taking in everything from the customers. Stockers, because they are on the floor constantly, they are being hammered with questions, complaints, or whatever else comes their way. It does give you a workout, and we have to deal with the public. The last store I worked at, we were always on the floor in what appeared to be constant rush hour. People come in on Fridays, saying 'Cheer up, it's Friday". In retail that means either nothing, or prepare for a busy weekend from everyone who has weekends off. In my case, because I was one of the stronger people there, it was good because I was able to do more without getting tired, and not need any help, but at the same time, it was bad because I was so strong that I was literally doing the heavy lifting. Whatever took more than two people to move would be left for me because I could do it by myself. I worked in a produce department, and in the fall, we would get these giant pumpkins for display. Before, it would take three people to move one of those pumpkins, then they were replaced by me and my muscles. I was finding myself doing more tasks that normally took a few people because I had the muscles. Especially when it came to handling the large displays or pallet bins. At first, I didn't mind, mostly because the more I move heavy stuff, the easier it became, but they also knew this and was trying to find my limits. I guess before me, they never had anyone with that kind of strength before. When I left, people joked that the job description should say must have muscles.

Well they really took advantage of you didn't they? In some ways it benefited you by building your muscles and keeping them strong, but I think it would be easy to feel others were taking advanatage of you too.

Thank you I really never thought about bagging and certainly not stocking as stressful, so thanks for the info. I always thought stocking would be the best since you get a workout plus you don't have to deal with the public. I had a friend who took a part time job in the library putting away books. She loved doing it because in a few weeks she saw how she was working her arm muscles, while I lifted barbells She was paid for her workouts and loved it just for that reason..and she did indeed have great looking arms

LOL you lucked out. Except not everyone can handle those hours. I would think the night shift would be so much easier as far as customers, except if it isn't busy maybe it gets boring? I wonder if those woking the night shift get sleepy out of boredom..or is management efficient and have work to be done in between customers..

Yes it gets really boring, but I remember one time, a few drunk younger kids came in. One of them was a really big guy, who was really weird. There was only three of us employees and I planned on hiding in the back because I was too lazy and too tired to handle foolishness. Then I heard a bang, one of them tackled a pile of cans, and the big guy was in the corner literally staring into space, and I swore to myself, if any if these guys come at me, I'll go bazzerk. Usually in night shifts, we either just hang out by the cash registers or restock aisle. But it was definitely boring, time was really slow.

I figured it would be boring..and your sleep patterns are screwed up. I hope you are paid extra for those hours. It seems to me someone said graveyard shifts do pay more...

Excellent point...how sad it that experience and sounds like it is dangerous as well.... I am glad you could get out of there and pity the ones who are stuck and can't leave. This reminds me of something in the news a while ago...a whacky person called 911 because her order was wrong..how nuts is that!!

I have a lot of respect for cashiers now too! On my first day of being trained the girl whow as training me was telling me what to do, what buttons to press, etc. The customer told her to shut up and said he didn't want to hear her talk. She argued with the customer for a while trying to explain that if she doesn't talk then I'm not going to know what to do. Meanwhile the line grew longer and some guy started yelling "this girl is so slow she should be fired, etc." Another guy yelled telling me to hurry the **** up, then he demanded we pull up a chair for him because he was getting tired of waiting.

I agree and until I was a cashier I didn't understand fully.. LOL I will never forget one of my first experiences. It was very early in the morning..still dark outside and as I pulled up to work, I saw a looooooooooooooooong line. There was a Weight Watchers special going on and there were more people than I could believe waiting to join. I set everything up and the line was out the door and a little way down the block. I had a few problems working the machine since I was very very new ..Most were very patient but some gave me looks that could kill. I understood their frusatration because it's early, many don't eat breakfast because they want to weigh in before they eat. Anyway I never forgot that morning and it taught be to be very very very patient...

Oh I totally agree with you that not everyone should be cashiers. Sorry if I didn't make my point clear. In my opinion cahiering is an entry level job..a first job in joining the working force. It is strictly for extra money and the life experiencs are really valuable. I think of waitressing and cashiering as student type jobs. LOL maybe it can inspire one to study hard so they don't have to cashier or do entry level jobs all their life.

The poor cashier..it's really sad when they have to thank customers for being nice. I wonder if she/he had just experienced grumpy customers and you were a 'breath of fresh air'..good for you for helping her through her day.

Great point...I bet many customers think..oh well that's what they pay emplyees to do..and so they leave a mess. It does tell a lot about the habits and considerstion of people

I have always been impressed with the saying..walk a mile in anothers shoes... I so agree that is a life lesson to be remembered. I remember the frustration of a long line, and customers whining about it...and when a cahier is having trouble now I always like to try to make them feel good by saying something like you surely showed a lot of patience with that last one..

Well, sometimes it's the cashiers fault but not always and you are right, people really don't understand unless they've been in this line of work. I usually do have a good attitude but it so funny to come home and see this. I just put in a horrible night tonight and while I held my attitude in check, it really wasn't so good on the inside. I'm just glad to be home at last.

The best way for me was to challenge myself and practice self control..it was a good exercise There are times though especially if the entire day was hard and toward the end one gets really tired and fed up...

You are right..and I was in my thrities when I briefly worked for Weight Watchers and that was the first time I fully understood service people challenges. I totally understand it is not the cashiers fault but I don't think everyone understands that. Congrats for surviving and having such a good attitude.

Yes 16 is a great age to start. With automatic cash registers it is easier to count change..but can you believe..I used to run into kids in their 20's who can't count change. It was really really sad. All you say is very true. I think one of the hardest challenges is to stay calm when you have an obnoxious customer. You were lucky to learn all these lessons early

So very true...I think it should be one of the first jobs a kid takes.

you are right. I am 24 now and when I see some kids and even some youth of my age, I can say what you are saying is right. They consider their parents as slaves and don't bother doing their own small works, let alone helping the parents in other ways. If the kids learn to do their own personal works themselves, it will of use both for themselves and their parents.

marguicha You are so right...Parents need to teach their kids from a very young age. I have a friend with 2 girls. The first was babied and my friend did everything for her even picking up her room, making the bed etc. Then she had another girl 5 or 6 years later. With the second she taught her to take care of her things etc. Both girls are grown now and guess what..the first is a mess and hardly every takes care of her stuff mand even herself..the other is neat as a pin and is always very well groomed...what a difference.

buddha The fault lies with the parents in my opinion. Kids need to be taught these things and parents need to insist they learn. Some parents, like my friend, are just too soft on their kids and it actually harms their children in the long run.

I worked at BK, and then after nothing but sales, jobs,. yes you do get alot of the base and core skill that most employers are looking for starting out in cashier.

Funny you should mention as I first started out in a fast food then burger king and down the path was all financial work for me. Hello jmanhype, welcome to myLot!

hardworkinggurl Yikes I never though of getting even...but I think that would be few and far between..at least I hope that is true. I know my whole outlook changed after I experienced the long line and grumpy faces.

Good point...that is the other side of this coin....just the other day I was in a store at the cash register and the checker and bag person were chatting..the checker never once looked at me or talked to me throughout the entire transaction until he took my money. He just kept chatting with the bagger...I was amazed...those kids needed some customer service training.

Well, there are many stories that can be told if people could only experience it from their side. Now with working in Customer Service dispatching Cabs to people there are many misunderstanding people even in Hotels and Big businesses that I would Love to trade places with for one day and let them see how Cruel they sometimes are to us. Many times things happen beyond a person's control. Do they ever not Stop to realize that?

Yes, and they'd get an upfront veiwing of all the irritating things that customers do that they unwittingly add to the stress and often hold up lines. They would be more patient and also more aware of what NOT to do. I did a discussion on this once and made a list of things that I would not do as a customer only because I have been on the other side of the counter. They don't do it on purpose, I'm sure. The only way to know and understand is to do that job. I have never worked in Fast Foods but my daughter has and I hear her stories.

KrauseHome & sid556 Exactly my sentiments..everyone should have the experience of dealing with obnoxious people so they see what others put up with day in and day out.

The cashiers have a hard a job as it is. I could not stand on my feet all day and besides I would get confused, not being able to remember all the sales and what is now off. Then the customers come around and hold up the line with their shopping carts while going to get something they forget. Then there are the ones who look in their purse for pennies.

This is true, good point ...there are way more rude customers than cashiers. The cashiers would not last because customers complain and the store has to somewhat cater to their clients.

LOL so true..so many opportunities to pratice patience. It's one thingk to stand in line and put up with some of the nonsense, it's another to be a csahier and see it all day long. I think they have 4 hours shifts..and that can feel longer.

I found it to be very difficult..it is not something I could do for years and years..

You have a good point. I had not thought about Middle age as a time when some need lessons in how to treat others properly, especially younger kids. I always feel treating others badly is a sign of insecurity and perhaps middle age brings it out as they see time slipping away?

Yeah, it really does ruin your internal clock. Although once you get used to it, you'll never have a problem. It takes time, though.

I am surprised to hear you can actually get used to it? I wonder how long that takes..years ??

Yikes going to work at 3 in the morning would be the toughest part for me..I have always said a person can handle almost anything IF they get enough sleep. Working odd hours does interfere with your normal interior clock...

I am now very patient and just smile because I will NEVER forget that dark morning with a line out the door and people not very happy

Yes I Totally Understand where your coming from. i worked at flying j restaurant i was the cashier and ill tell ya what there were a lot of people in and out of there everyday. especially in the morning i worked 7-3 . all the Amish family's and stuff would come and all pay separate. So yeah it took a few minutes to get threw of of them. plus it always seems like everyone wants to leave at the same time. so you got all these family's just standing there waiting in line.. kinda feel bad. but im not going to rush and mess my cash up. so i just took my time but as quickly as i could if that makes any sense? lol