Be Kind to Your Grocery Store Checker

Since the advent of the coronavirus, many of the employees at my favorite grocery store have been replaced by strangers. But recently I was checked out by a female checker I’ve encountered many times on past shopping trips. We’ve typically engaged in casual chatter as she scanned items from my cart.

This time was different.

When she reached for a paper bag to begin loading my purchases, I asked if she could put them into the cart unbagged so I could take them to my car and transfer them into my own bags. I was surprised when she told me the store had recently resumed letting customers bring their own bags. She asked if I’d like to return to my car and get mine before she continued scanning my groceries.

I accepted her offer.

When I returned with my bags and she resumed her checking, I began telling her how happy I was about the store’s decision. I told her it troubles me to consider the environmental impact of stores reverting to paper and plastic bags after customers had gotten used to bringing their own reusable bags.

I noticed a troubled look on her face as I spoke my concern, and she told me how uneasy she felt handling customers’ personal bags. She was concerned for her own health and that of her coworkers.  

I was startled and disturbed by my lack of awareness of her dilemma. Clearly it’s stressful being exposed to potentially infected shoppers for several hours every day, even without the added stress of handling their personal property. Yet, this woman had told me I had the option of going to my car and getting my own bags when she could easily have kept quiet in her own self-interest.

When she’d finished bagging my groceries, I thanked her for the service she was providing and acknowledged the personal stress involved in her job. She looked close to tears as she shook her head in agreement.

As I started wheeling my cart toward the door, she followed me for a few steps and thanked me for my concern and appreciation.

This is how little it takes. Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever your own struggles, you’re encountering other people who are providing what used to be safe service at what now is a physical and psychological cost to themselves.

Acknowledge and thank them. It’s the least we can do. And if you’re one of these unacknowledged and underappreciated workers yourself, count me among those who thank and bless you for your service.