February 24th, 2012

the anonymity of self service

I only vaguely remember not having self checkout at grocery stores. In high school, a kid that we knew worked one of the lanes at our local Safeway, and depending on what time of day it was and what we looked like (morning pajamas or afternoon clothes), we would avoid or beeline for his lane. These days I can walk into Shaw’s near our house, pick up the few items that I need, go through self checkout and be out the door in less than 10 minutes, without talking to a soul.

Generally I don’t mind the chitchat, but when you’re buying a small chocolate peanut butter cake, five tubs of ice cream (one pint, four individual sizes), eggs and sausage, it’s much easier without the judgement, lol.