Counting out his change.

[Robb]

I was in line at the grocery today. As I usually do, I was in the "15 items or less" line, the one that's staffed with a person, because I want him to keep his job instead of being replaced with the self-scan thingie.

Which is another discussion, probably. But anyhow.

Two people in front of me was an older gentleman. I mean to say he was 90 if he was a day. Moving slowly. But with purpose.

He had his groceries, and if his pace was any measure this was the big outing for the day. He was buying a lot of store-brand stuff, prepared food and canned goods, the sort of thing a man of his years might be making for himself, by himself, if he's managed to avoid being placed in anothers' care.

And he was counting out his change, because he had cash. And exact change. And it was taking a good, long time.

I was in no particular hurry. The guy in between us in front of me was, I think, and was tapping his fingers and hands. But it was the cashier that impressed me.

Young man, I'm going to say 19. Took his time. Waited for the older gent. Helped with some counting where it was appropriate. Respectful, just right. Loaded the guy's goods into the cart after bagging, offered further help (which was politely declined) and thanked him and wished him a good day.

I told the cashier kid when I got to the front I had watched the whole thing and wanted him to know I thought he did great. And the kid looked at me and just said "Well, I figure we're all going to be that age someday, and I just want people to treat me well when I get there."

A kid. And he nailed it. I told him again I was impressed, and wanted him to know it. He said thanks, and seemed a little embarrassed someone noticed. But it was clear someone raised him right.

I walked out into the parking lot wondering why it was I was so moved by someone simply behaving like a decent human being. :shrug:

[NYC_SKP]

1. Why were you moved? Maybe because witnessing this kind of interaction is far too uncommon.

But it's always heartwarming to witness.

Thank you for thanking him and for sharing the story.

:toast:

[jillan]

2. It is so rare when you see true respect for another human being.

Thank you for sharing that... :)

[femmocrat]

3. It was nice of you to compliment the lad.

Probably made his day.

[patrice]

4. Beautiful vignette. No truer Fact: What goes around comes around.

[tblue]

5. Gave me chills!

Gives you hope for the next generation, doesn't it?

I love stories like this. YOU did good, too, by giving that young man his props, even if he didn't need them. Thank you for sharing.

:hug:

[monmouth]

6. If you ever see the store manager you should mention it to him/her.

They love to hear those stories. Was it a Publix by chance? Their people are the best.

[MissDeeds]

7. Terrific story

Thanks so much for sharing it with us, Robb. What a wonderful act of kindness on the part of the young cashier, and you for taking note and telling the young man that he had done well. It brought tears to my eyes. Kudos.

K&R

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

8. K&R. It's experiences like this when we see life is good.

This is always my favorite part of DU, the shared story of the grocery line experience.

[Robb]

9. LOL! Thanks.

...It has become almost a DU cliché, hasn't it? :D

[driver8]

10. This is a wonderful story, and brought a smile to my face.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Captain Hilts]

11. Good on that kid. And I don't use self-scanning either. nt

[madokie]

12. My wish for you is to have a great day

cause you sure made mine.

[phasma ex machina]

13. +1 "we're all going to be that age someday."

That very thought struck me after young corporate sharks made chum out of old geezers a few rungs higher up on the old corporate ladder.

[Goldstein1984]

14. Thanks for that

I also don't use self-scanning, and for the same reason.

I would definitely also share the story with the manager of the store.

BTW: Any checkout line is a great self-test of one's own patience and courtesy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. We were at Hoover Dam on Sat and I stood in line to pay for a few things at the gift shop

When it was my turn a lady walked up (it seemed like she came from out of nowhere but it was crowded and I could have just missed her) and said she had been waiting and it was her turn to be checked out. She was visibly pissed off. The kid working the register looked at me and I said "I really don't care" So he rang up the snotty lady's stuff. When she walked away he thanked me and said I could have the buttons I was buying for free.

30 seconds of my life. I'm not going to let a snotty lady ruin my day.

[Raster]

24. Someone should have "helped" snotty lady to a closer look of the bottom of the dam...

...and the Colorado River.

[Tigermoose]

16. K & R

Thanks.

[Dogtown]

17. A letter to the manager

commending the clerk would be a nice closing gesture, if you have time.



Thanks for your post!

[Robb]

18. That's a good idea.

I'll have to catch the kid again and notice his name tag, but you're right. I'll make an effort to do that. :)

[morillon]

34. I've done that, myself.

If I get exemplary service at a store or see something I think is worth commending, I'll write to the store manager and say that it makes me feel good about spending my money there and recommending that my family and friends do the same. Attaboy letters get shared up the management chain, so it's absolutely worthwhile to do this.

[Raven]

19. Reminds me of my father who passed away at 88 10 years ago this week.

He mastered the art of shopping in his 80's and did all the grocery shopping for both of them. He dressed for it...I mean dressed for it. A suit and a bow tie to go to Super Stop & Shop. He knew where to find everything he needed and he paid in cash because he never mastered the charge card machines. I know that the checkout people were very patient with him and loved to see him coming. Once I asked him why he got so dressed up to go to the supermarket and he told me that he didn't want people to think he was retired. :-)

[proteus_lives]

28. My father is like that too.

Never leaves his house without being dressed nicely, even if he's just going to the video store. I remember him visiting on me on my campus and listening bemoan how "young people" were dressed for class.

[KittyWampus]

20. Empathy and caring can be contagious! I have to remember to be less of a jerk on DU

:)

[amborin]

21. great to hear!

[Javaman]

22. Why? because we are brainwashed into thinking...

"that the kids of today show now respect of the elderly!!! now get off my lawn!!!"

They aren't all like that, in fact, most aren't like that at all.

It's just the few little bastards that make it hell for the older folks.

It's nice to hear stories like this, it gives me hope for the future.

I'm over half way to that guys age as it is. ;)

[kjones]

33. Yes, thank you.

I would have thought older people would have an understanding of
the "self fulfilling prophecy."
Of course kids are going to turn out worse if you're constantly
condemning youth.

Young people are a lot kinder and respectful than old folks seem
to give them credit for.

[Raster]

23. You are very correct: someone did raise that young man right!

Bless his heart and his parents!

[mudplanet]

25. When I was a teenager I thought I'd rather be dead than old. Now

that I'm older, and working with the elderly, I realize getting old is what you get - if you get lucky.

[fascisthunter]

26. ahhhh... empathy, the very thing people in power don't seem to have

we have lots of great people in this country, who have lots of compassion, unfortunately the system our government has implemented over the years tells people compassion is for wimps and not good for personal wealth. It's the corporate culture.... politicans even had the audacity to claim the government should run more like a corporation. Corporations are the complete opposite of any democratic institution.

[davidwparker]

27. "the one that's staffed with a person" - Good on you. I do this myself. n/t

[proteus_lives]

29. As someone who does a lot of work with customers, I can say that's a good egg!

The golden rule is the way to go.

[DireStrike]

32. Exactly, the golden rule

Which is why I never count out exact change. Cashiers do it all day long, much faster than me, and I don't like inconveniencing my fellow line-waiters.

[Karenina]

30. In my town the elderly, on regular occasion, simply pour out the contents

of their change purses into the cashier's outstretched hand. The kids are alright. If they are taught the "social contract" they uphold it, understanding that it's for the common good.

One of the proudest days of my life was the day my boys landed on this continent. I expected them to disembark first as unaccompanied minors. The came off very last with their minder, my oldest pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair. The flight attendant gushed about them insisting they help this woman who had been seated near them.

PLEASE do make it your business to compliment this young man to his bosses. The kids are alright.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmowtt9vhLY&feature=related

[Kweli4Real]

31. Yes, that was a delightful anecdote ...

I, too, do not use the self-scan check out. Two quick stories on the subject:

A couple of years ago, my daughter (7 yrs old at the time) and I were at a grocery store. We were in the check-out line immediately next to the self-scan. As with most kids, she kept asking why we didn't use the self-scan, no one was using it so it would be faster . I told her, I will never pay to eliminate someone's job. The Cashier kind of looked at me as I told my daughter that everytime someone uses the self-scan, someone in the real world is unable to feed their family. The Cashier smiled and said "I this case, that would be me. Thanks."

Second story:

I was doing my bi-weekly banking ... depositing my paycheck into the bank and transfering some to savings and getting a little cash. The Teller said, "Mr. ****, every week I see you coming inside the bank and waiting in line to do your banking. You do know that it would be a lot quicker if you used the ATM. You can do everything you just did without coming inside and waiting."

I smiled and told her, in my best Mack-Daddy flirtion, "I know. But if I did my banking through the ATM, I wouldn't get to see you." The Teller ignored what was probably her 50th come-on of the day. But then in a more serious voice, I said: "Besides, if everyone used the the ATM, why would the bank need you?"

Two weeks later, as I was walking out of the bank, she stopped my and said, "Mr. ****, I just wanted to thank you. I thought about what you said about people using the ATM and the bank not needing me ... So I'm back in school for cosmetology. It may not be as sexy as banking, but I will never be replaced by a machine."

[bigwillq]

35. Wish I could still rec this.

What an awesome post. Thanks for sharing. :hi: