Testing Tills

               When did paying for things in a high street shop become so complicated? I am sure that it used to be the case, the cashier told the customer how much they owed, the customer paid and then the transaction was over. This is no longer the case.

This week I popped into Superdrug on the high street. The reason for this was mainly because it had started raining and thought it would be a nice waste of time. I picked up a small box of plasters and took them to the checkout. I had the correct change and was ready to go… Then came the exam.

               ‘Do you need a 10p bag’ – That is an easy one. ‘No its small enough to fit in my pocket’

               ‘Do you have a loyalty card’ ‘No’

               ‘Do you want to take out a loyalty card’ ‘No’ I am starting to remember why I hate high street shopping.

               ‘Would you like to see our special offers?’ The assistant is still holding the plasters hostage in her hand, a queue is starting to build and I am beginning to get edgy. ‘No thank-you, I just want the plasters’.

               ‘Can I give you a copy of our brochure?’ No, Why do Superdrug even have a brochure? I should have just kept walking in the rain.

               ‘Would you like to leave your email address so I can send you a copy of the receipt?’ AAHHH why is this so hard?

I make a mental note never to go to Superdrug again. I swear University Challenge in another language with the sound off would be easier than this.

Another high street frustration comes from coffee shops, takeaways and bakeries. These are taking over the high streets of the nation but despite the fact that they are everywhere, there are still so many people who don’t know how they work. For example, Greggs.

A staggering number of people wait ages to get to the front of the queue then realise they don’t know what they want or ask for things they don’t sell. ‘Please can I have an apple and custard doughnut’? ‘I’m sorry that is from the bakery across the street’. ‘Oh, well, what do you think Jean?’. Jean has no idea, thinks for ages and then asks for something from an obviously empty shelf. By this point the queue is onto the pavement. Eventually a coffee is ordered, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief, that is until the next people reach the till and the whole process starts again. Perhaps there should be a separate line for everyone who knows what they want, a bit like speedy boarding.

One final question, why is it when I go to the till with just one item and say “just that please”, the cashier will inevitably ask “is that everything”? EVERY SINGLE TIME.