“I hate it when people come up to the counter before I call them. “

Ok so it may seem like a small thing to you, but on my end its kinda big deal. there are several reason why I in my lowly CSA state feel these are valid.  

1* I’m just not ready you yet because I’m actually finishing up the last transaction.

If you in fact come up to to the counter and I’m not ready for you yet, you may very well miss the opportunity for another associate who is available to help you because they WILL call for another customer. And then you’ll end up getting mad at both of us cause you’re still waiting while the guy behind you was polite enough to wait to be called, is already done with his return and skipping happily off to buy whatever other crap he probably doesn’t actually need. 

2* I may be counting money

And Lord know I don’t need you rolling all up on me with a stack of green bills in my hand! You trying to get taken down by the AP! But seriously,just because it looks like I’m just standing there staring at the floor (and why would I do that?!) chances are I’m counting the money my manager just handed me, which I am required to do. So back up JACK!.... or JANE!

3* I may be waiting for a transaction to clear from my screen

Kinda goes along with point 1 except usually this one involves a customer who has forgotten their receipt, forgotten their ID, or,”just wanted to know how much this untagged pot holder that I found in the clearance aisle form Easter” (which was eight months ago) is. Seriously. When this happens, I have to abort the transaction, which has to be taken care of by a supervisor. So no, I’m not just standing there staring at my screen hoping to melt it with my laser vision (HA!) I’m actually waiting for it to clear so that I can happily help you with you return of worn and sweaty underwear that “just didn’t fit right”. Yeah.....

4* I may be about to go on BREAK!!! (YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!)

That’s right folks, I have to take a break. And not just because I’ve been standing here 3 hours straight listening to every excuse under the sun of why this needs to be returned, (seriously who do you think would actually believe that you decided to return a TV just on the basis of “I didn’t like the way you guys  loaded it into my car”. But that’s a story for another day.)Yes, believe it or not I am actually required to take a break every 3 hours, preferably sooner, but 3 is the magic number. So yes, I DO see that the line is wrapped around to the door, but you walking up to my counter as I prepare to leave ain’t gonna stop me! I got a fruit punch Snapple calling my name and neither you or the lady returning the used blender with the banana smoothie still in it are gonna keep me from it!