Comments on: The self-checkout and a shame-free shopping experience

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 05:43:26 +0000

I REFUSE to use the self-check out because it cost someone there job. If one person is supervising 4 machines that is 3 people without a job.

By: Gingersnapper

Gingersnapper — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 19:09:13 +0000

I remember one time, when I was considerably younger, standing in line at the grocery checkout at 10:30 p.m. with nothing but a bottle of wine and box of condoms and suddenly realizing “OH.”

So I quick grabbed a pack of gum and put it on the counter too. I’m sure that made it look much better.

Cookies are nothin’…

By: Ri

Ri — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 07:41:36 +0000

I used to work as a cashier at a big grocery store in Western NY. Looking back I have to say that I don’t think I ever judged anyone for their purchases. However, I do remember the time someone bought lobster with food stamps for some reason.

I like the self checkout because it allows me to bag my own groceries and I’m better at it than most of the workers at our local markets. I’m such a grocery snob.

This does remind me of an awkward purchase though. Back when I was in college I was still working at the grocery store. I was big on sales and coupons at that time and came into 17 – yes seventeen coupons for playtex. They went on a sale and with the double coupons I got all 17 boxes of tampons for 10 cents each. No joke.

Of course buying them at the store I work in, from a guy I went to high school with who also worked there. Awkward. He laughed though when he saw the total and realized the savings.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 05:30:36 +0000

It is incredibly creepy when people recognize you and don’t say hello and then just email you later. That has happened to me three times — with the same person each time.

By: Boilergrad93

Boilergrad93 — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:41:48 +0000

LOVE the self scan. Wish they had them everywhere.
Lofthouse cookie…I swear those sprinkles have crack in them, cause once I eat one it’s over!!

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 07:35:36 +0000

Wow, never thought of the self-checkout that way. For me, the self-checkout is just the MOST annoying thing ever. I tried it once and hated it. Most of what I buy is not bar-coded, i.e. veggies & fruits, so I had to try and guess what each was called in the store lexicon and I was wildly unsuccessful at it. Further the stupid screen was hard to read and identify the pictures. It took forever to get checked out far longer than just waiting for a checker. If they judge my foods, so what? An occasional bit o’ junk amongst all those veggies. I’d like to see them TRY to put a judgement on that, LOL!

Actually, when I was living in North Dakota, it was rather fun in a way, none of the checkers had apparently eaten any veggies in their natural form, ever, except potatoes, carrots or corn. So there I’d be, with my cart full of same, having fun watching them puzzle through it. I mean seriously, some of them had to ask “Is this an onion?” One guessed a zucchini might be a cucumber. Close, but no cigar.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 06:54:17 +0000

A very long time ago I read an article or heard at the news that the guilt for making a calorie-dense choice is more threatening than the choice itself. I don’t know if this information is true, but in terms of the feelings it generates, I bet is true. And then I think of treats, which are allowed from time to time…and we also have that time of the month when we crave for anything.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:33:20 +0000

A friend of mine had a college roommate who introduced her to some bad eating habits. She rues that roommate to this day, as she picked up habits she never would have considered and now struggles with stopping them.

I hope I never have to secretly rue you, Jennette. I don’t think I would have ever considered this benefit to the self-checkout. I don’t tend to use them, as I’m clumsy and find myself dropping items and taking twice as long to scan groceries as the experienced checker. But I can totally envision myself using them in a binge moment. Dang it!

By: Dorothy

Dorothy — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:11:14 +0000

Oh gosh I used the U-scan for the first time in a couple years last Saturday because severe weather was coming and I wanted to make chili. For some crazy reason even before I went to Kroger I was overcome with paranoia about appearing so stereotypical. Bad weather, make chili. There I was with every single thing to make chili plus a box of saltines. I did not have any sweets so that wasn’t the issue. I just feared the eye roll (literal or figurative) of the cashier. Thing is some of those cashiers have been at that store as long as I’ve lived in this neighborhood which is years. I think when it’s slow and they have time to look they do judge you. I probably would, too.

By: lin

lin — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:55:33 +0000

I agree with carbzilla. One of the changes I made to lose and keep off 30 lbs was to make my own desserts unless they were being given to me ( I don’t have the willpower t o turn down free food!). I give the rest away or freeze for later.