Singing while shopping...
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
United States
February 8, 2007 7:57am CST
It drives me crazy to get beind/in front of a 'singer' in line while I'm shopping. Today I'm just standing there mindind my own business and putting my groceries on the belt and the cashier starts singing! Well she didn't belt it out but she's still humming very loudly & very badly. And as a cashier I would have customers who would actually belt out a song - not nessesarliy the one that's playing on the overhead radio. Just some random song that is stuck in their head. They're not all bad but it's not the time or the place - you know? Do any of you do this? If so why? Or have any of you had this happen to you too? Does it annoy you?
5 people like this
32 responses
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Oh, crap, you caught me! If I am alone and the background music is playing loudly, yes, I am a shopping hummer! But then again I also talk out loud to myself (that's what the medication is for LOL). I much prefer a singing/humming cashier to the one that talks to the cashier next to him/her, or the one who is having a conversation on his/her cell phone the entire time you are being checked out ~Donna
3 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I have been known to sing too if the background is loud enough and I'm alone in the aisle.
I can't believe you have actually had a cashier carry on a conversation on the cell phone before!! WOW! That's a huge no-no in our store. I would say something to them. I always hated people talking on cell phones while I'm checking them out - but I do that too. I try my best not to but sometimes it can't be helped.
1 person likes this
@catsgonewild (20)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I'm guilty too. I sometimes start singing or humming, only to find someone watching/listening, and then I just blush and walk away.
2 people like this
@profclark (512)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Apologizing to you in advance, in case you get behind me in line. I do sing; it helps me to avoid impulse shopping, and I do sing well ( I have been complemented many times,) but some folks read those stupid tabloids, some of us sing. :)
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
At least you can sing:) I tend to linger around the tabloids myself. But I've always got my mind on the line and the belt so I'm ready to throw my junk up there. I guess we all have our own ways to get through the wait.
1 person likes this
@mikeyr6000le (2123)
• United States
8 Feb 07
As long as it isn't to loud, or off key or just some really crappy song, then no it doesn't bother me. I myself am a whistler. I whistle sometimes and don't even know I'm doing it. I will aslo sing along with the song at the casino if it's a good one and sometimes whith the song on the machine. It just depends on my mood and I'm sure that's the way it is with everyone. If you're in a good mood then you let it show.
3 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
See I think casinos are different than a store. I work with several whistlers too. I wouldn't mind so much either if it wasn't too loud, ect. But in yesterday's case it was too loud & off key.
1 person likes this
@p3halliwel2005 (3156)
• Philippines
9 Feb 07
Yes I have heard someone humming a tune or so...It doesn't matter to me as long as they are not doing it badly..I have this Hospital worker who is what we call a walking band he hums all the time and sometimes you'll hear sort of a band and it's just him playing with sounds through his mouth and it's quite cool.
@AskAlly (3625)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
This would be one reason that my sons were embarassed to be seen with me in public during their formative years.
I only happened once and it was at Christmas time. The lines were long and we had "Frank Sinatra" crooning in line ahead of us. So if you can't beat em join em I always say. I started to sing the harmony, he turns around and smiles, and the next thing you know there were other people singing too. It was hilarious. When the song was done and another came on the PA system, even more joined in.
What could have been annoying became a fun time.
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Now that I wouldn't mind! That is a great story! I couldn't imagine something like that happening in my store. Thanks for sharing!
1 person likes this
@bored333girl (35)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I don't think that its annoying to be honest. The only time that would be bad would be if the cashier was humming rudely, or to ignore a customer. I was once a cashier and believe me when you are standing there for 9 hours doing such a routine job you have to keep your mind busy someone or you will go CRAZY! I never hummed (...that I know of) but often I would think of a song and kind of play it over in my head for good measure!
3 people like this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
9 Feb 07
well, i do sing sometimes when i am shopping actually... what's wrong with that??? i love music and i love singing and i can sing anywhere i want... singing refreshes and relaxes my mind and in fact, i am a cashier myself and whenever i am too tired or get sick of serving the customer, i start singing to lift my spirit up again... it does help me a lot... and nobody ever complain to me for doing that... :-)
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I just find it odd. I guess I'm too self-conscious so I find it weird that other people are doing it too. It's not that bad when they're good...but they're not always good.
I never say anything either to the person. I wouldn't want to be rude. I don't want to burst anyone's bubble of happiness (as I don't like mine burst either) so I just deal with it.
1 person likes this
@sirensanssmile (3764)
• Netherlands
9 Feb 07
That bothers me too and I think it is more of a feeling of intrusion.... I am usually zoning out when in such places and a person who belts it out suddenly brings me back to the sad reality that I am wasting a portion of my life in that blasted store.
What really gets on my nerves are the whistlers. I hate whistling with a passion and those that go around the stores whistling loudly make me the most irritated.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Me too - it takes me right out of my own little world and straight into theirs! I like it here in my world...esp when I'm shopping or working. I know a few whistlers at work too...
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
That is exactly how I feel. I never would have thought to put it that way - but that's it. I'm way too self-conscious for my own good. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
8 Feb 07
Personally, I think it nice when I experience someone that has joy in their being that day. The children and I would enjoy it since we don't seem to experience this. Would be out of the ordinary! This day and age with all of us anti this and anti that there seems that this kind of thing would be encouraged. Hope that in the event this is indeed something you cannot abide, that it does not occur with you in the area next time.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I wondered if I just me being annoyed with being there altogether or if other people thought as me. Maybe I'm just too negative when I'm there. I like knowing people are that happy though.
2 people like this
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
11 Feb 07
We all have our perceptions and preferences. Also any given day something can occur that irks us. You are human and still traveling thorough life. We will all have many opportunities to grow. Thanks for responding to me.
2 people like this
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
10 Feb 07
I'll do you one better than that –what about the people that whistle. Not just regular whistling but that "I am a professional whistler" stuff like they are performing for some twisted, alternative reality American Idol show that only showcases whistlers. We do have one 'singer' at Wal-Mart; thankfully he does the night stock and unless you are there right before the store closes you are spared hearing his musical musings.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
10 Feb 07
Humm...the store closing. I would love it if our Walmart would close at night. Then we'd be able to bring in cd players and listen to our own music :) We have a couple of whistlers too that work at Walmart.
Let's hope the American Idol people don't get that idea! LOL
1 person likes this
@rahuldmhatre (736)
• India
9 Feb 07
no man...singing does mean that he/she is happy......so why does it annoy u?....i think thats cute........
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I guess I just think it's weird to do that in a place like that. Esp as a cashier. I don't think it's very professional I guess. She also wasn't doing it very well either. I'm glad she's happy - and that's why I never ask them to stop. Don't know why - it just annoys me. Purphase it's working there all night.
1 person likes this
@freezingfev (815)
•
9 Feb 07
heheh....thats a funny situation...but y fret if the person is anygood??
moreover if u know the song start humming it with the person....u ll be surprised, to stike a friendship with the person by the tym u reach the end of the line....and it will give u loadazzz confidence.....try itt
Cheerz
^_^
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
Oh she wasn't any good. And usually they're not. I knew the song some what - but after working 8 hours and then shopping for another half an hour...nah :)
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
WOW! Can't say I've ever seen that one! LOL!
1 person likes this
@krislouiebaby (2346)
• Philippines
10 Feb 07
it happened to me many times, and it did not annoy me,
i just smile,,
i think the job is boring that is why they find their way to entertain themselves to make themselves up..
they sing, they hum,,thats okey as long as they are doing their job well.
i have nothign against them singing, i love music.
goodluck to you, happy posting....
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
8 Feb 07
Yep, I sing LOL Well, often it's just humming along to the muzak but, if I know the words, out they come! :) My kids and my husband have gotten used to it... what really drives them crazy is when I dance! ;)
2 people like this
@jtmblossom (470)
• Philippines
9 Feb 07
She must do that in a right place. She can hum for herself gently,but not for the others to hear it. Sometimes singing out of tune can ruin your focus. I hope those who knew that they are not good singers will not continue to sing coz it can only damage ear drum.
2 people like this
@chippy49 (171)
• United States
8 Feb 07
I have not had someone sing while I was in line. But funny you should say something like this, because just a couple weeks ago I went to the store and had a shopping cart full of groceries and I found a line that was empty. While the guy was ringing up the items he had a ace banadage on his wrist that after like 3 items he kept on taking it off and putting it back on. Then he was talking to me about his daughter. Took him at least 15 minutes to finish my stuff. The line behind me went through at least 10 people before he was done with me. Now I know why his line was empty. LOL.
2 people like this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
9 Feb 07
LOL. That's awful! When I cashiered I'd work as quickly as I possibly could to get the people on there way. I didn't small talk - you got a hello, your total, and have a nice day out of me and rarely anything more. 15 minutes is just ridiculous. If he was on light duty he should have been doing something else or on an express lane.
2 people like this
