Cashiers rushing me out of the supermarket

It makes sense that in an economy where jobs are scarce, employers would be looking for employees with more experience and a wider skill set.

Well, that is sort of my point (which supports what you were saying about it being easier to replace a worker than customers, by the way).  Tremula's saying that it is hard to replace cashiers, and that Tesco has to go to Poland to recruit them.  Maybe that was true before the economic downturn, but I doubt it's the case now.

I don't notice a huge difference between the supermarkets, to be honest.    I mean, I occasionally find navigating the aisles of the supermarkets here to be a bit of a sh*tshow, but I think that's because they are more narrow than they are at the t-rex of a Stop & Shop I would use back home, and I always end up shopping at peak times because that's when I can go.

I shop at all the locals (Co-op, Sainsbury, M&S, Waitrose) and the cashier service has been pretty standard to me.  I usually have my own bags, which they appreciate, so I toss my own stuff in them pretty quickly, but I've never felt rushed while doing it.  Having been on the other side (cashier for all the high school/college jobs), I always make eye contact, end all phone calls before I'm at the till, and take out my earphones if I've had them in.  So people are usually pretty friendly and courteous, and I am as well.

I think the only place I've had bad customer service here is HSBC (phone wise.  my local branch is great)

I don't really notice much of a difference either.  But I've always hustled to get out anyway so that could be it.

Random thought, and I might be crazy, but I feel that there is a difference in general from when paper bags were used.  I remember there always being baggers at the ends of the tills that were there to help because it took time (and/or because it was a courtesy I suppose they can't afford anymore), or my mom taking her time stacking things just so in the bags.  I wonder if it was because they were prone to tearing otherwise?  I might just be recalling it differently...

I was a cashier when they started using plastic bags and we were taught how to pack in either paper or plastic bags.

I remember having to ask every customer "Paper or plastic?"

Talking of Tesco recruiting -- our friends' son has been head-hunted by them to take over their IT. Sounds like a deal he cannot refuse!

I was a cashier when they started using plastic bags and we were taught how to pack in either paper or plastic bags.

I remember having to ask every customer "Paper or plastic?"

I always got people double paper with plastic..... then would complain I was moving too slow.

I hated those people.  I had one person who always went through my line.  I dreaded her but she chose me everytime because i remembered double paper when she approached.

I hated those people.  I had one person who always went through my line.  I dreaded her but she chose me everytime because i remembered double paper when she approached.

Yeah I had a few of those... *sigh* Then youd have people who want them packed as heavy as possible. Loved them... Made it easy.