Cashier shares how they deal with rude customers who talk on the phone during checkout

People often tend to forget common courtesy while dealing with service employees. People working in the sector have to encounter such individuals on a daily basis. It can be mentally taxing for people to be subjected to so much unwarranted disrespect. One of the most common examples of rudeness by customers on display is talking on the phone while interacting with the employees. They understand very well that it is the job of service employees to converse with them so that they can help them and also inform them about their offers. In many ways, it is a 'mutual' relationship, but customers act as if their end of the bargain, which is just listening, is a burdensome task. However, unlike others, u/vince_003 did not take it bowing down and actually devised a way to give it back to such customers.

The employee shared how they were employed as a cashier in a pharmacy some 7 years ago. Since they had a low tolerance for misbehavior, it was a challenge to work in a demanding environment. It was hard for them to let go of customers without any repercussions for being rude. It was difficult, but they managed to find a way that did not break the protocols they needed to follow and, at the same time, gave such customers a hard time. Thereafter, whenever a customer came to their counter while on the phone, the employee ensured they were extra-diligent at their work and 'loudly' gave them the message, "Hi, how are you! Have you found what you were looking for? Do you have the fidelity card? Would you like to donate to X?"

The employee ensured that their tone was polite but loud enough to disturb the person on the phone. It forced the customers to address the employee and acknowledge their presence. Customers used to turn to them with gestures or some words, communicating that they wanted the 'talking' to stop. When they wanted the 'talking' to stop, the employee obliged to their demand but started the next phase of the plan.

In the city where the employee worked, plastic bags are not free. They have an extra charge, and every cashier must ask their customers before they add it to their bill. The user would have asked them about that and made the whole process quicker, but alas, they told them to shut up. They did not want to bother their esteemed customer. They used to scan the items and leave them standing on the counter without a single word.

It would take customers a little time to realize they are standing in one place without paying. It would force them to give their full attention and ask the cashier, "Why aren't you bagging my stuff?!" Well, this time, the ball was in the cashier's court and they didn't want to waste their words. They simply directed the customers towards a yellow sign with the message, "Bag - 5 cents." After this, the customers hastily took out their wallets and paid. Initially, the customers did not want to waste their time on the employee, but the cashier ensured it was wasted anyway. Some awareness and acknowledgment would have saved them from this trouble.

The comment section applauded the employee's ingenious plan and their resolve not to take insult lying down. u/DoctorGuvnor described the tactic used by their local post office, "Our local Post Office has a big sign: 'We know your phone call is important to you, so we won't serve you til you're finished.' I love that." u/PsychologicalBit5422 shares how a daycare handles this obsession with phone, "Daycare, a friend uses has a sign saying they won't let parents in who is on the phone. Their reasoning is that the child is excited to see the parent and deserves their full attention at pickup."