Customer: Hi, how are you?

Me: I’m good! How are you?

———

Coworker: How are you doing?

I want to go home

I stand here for hours at a time

Would you like a bag

Scan scan scan

Always scanning

It'll be this price

Thank you

Here's your change

Would you like your receipt

Have a good day

Get out of our store

I do this for hundreds of customers

My line gets long

I don't have back up, they went on break

We only get 10 min breaks off our feet and 30 min lunches

No, that time is not enough

Would you like a bag

I want to go home

That'll be more money than you thought it was

If someone says it's the dollar twenty five cent store one more time I'm going to snap

Here's your change

Get out of my store I don't want to make small talk with you

After I finish your transaction I have about fifty more to do before I get a break

I barely have enough energy to be up here right now

Leave me alone

Here's your receipt thanks for coming

Go away

"you're really rude"

Yeah cuz I don't have energy for any of your small talk

"you should smile more"

I'll smile when the working conditions aren't as awful and when customers don't make me hate my life

"it's common sense, you'll get it one day"

Sure I'll tell all my past experience that. I don't need to hear anything condescending out of you I have 12 more customers in my line and who knows how many more roaming the store

Don't you get it

They keep numbers low by paying associates a small wage

Managers aren't much better

It's me and my manager. Yes it's just us

No that associate doesn't have a till they aren't a cashier

My backup cashier is on their 30 min lunch and they've earned it. I'll get all you people in my line out of here as soon as I can

"you guys need more cashier's"

The hiring sign isn't for show

"Why are the shelves so empty? Are you guys closing??"

Our stocking team is working their hardest. If you'd like to see more stuff on the shelves you can pick up a job app on your way out for you or someone you know

"they shouldn't leave you alone up here, that's not right"

There are other things that need to happen at this store and my managers are busy. None of this is their fault

Don't you get it?

We're doing our best

10 minute breaks

30 minute lunches

And hours of work that needs to get done

Tasks that are never-ending

Customers that are waiting to pay and be on their way

And our team is small

Don't you get it?