A grocery store cashier is a trained observer of human behavior. In the few moments you have in their line, they will make several surprisingly accurate judgments about you. They do this before you have even said “hello.” They are not trying to be judgmental. It is a simple pattern-recognition skill that they have developed after dealing with thousands of different customers. Here are seven of the things that a cashier will notice about you before you even speak.
1. If You Have a List (and If You Used It)
A cashier can instantly tell the difference between a “list” shopper and an “impulse” shopper. A list shopper will have a cart filled with a logical assortment of items for a week of meals. An impulse shopper will have a cart with a chaotic mix of snacks, drinks, and a few random, expensive items. The contents of your cart are a clear window into your level of planning.
2. Your Overall Awareness
A cashier will immediately notice your level of awareness. Are you on your phone and ignoring the fact that it is your turn? Or are you paying attention, making eye contact, and ready to start the transaction? A customer who is “present” and aware is a signal to the cashier. It tells them that the transaction will be fast and efficient.
3. How You Load the Conveyor Belt
The way you load your items onto the conveyor belt tells a cashier a lot about your personality. A neat and organized person will group their items. They will put all the produce first, then the pantry items, and then the cold items. A more chaotic person will dump everything onto the belt in a random pile. The cashier will also notice if you have put the heavy items down first.
4. Whether or Not You Used Reusable Bags
The presence of reusable bags in your cart is a quick and easy way for a cashier to assume your lifestyle. It can be a simple, visual cue that suggests you are an organized person. It also suggests that you are environmentally conscious and a regular, experienced shopper.
5. Your Payment Method Is Ready
A cashier will always notice if you have your payment method in your hand before the transaction is even over. This is the number one sign of a prepared and considerate customer. A shopper who waits until the final total is given and then has to start a long, fumbling search for their wallet is a cashier’s worst nightmare.
6. Your Level of Patience in the Line
The way you behave while you are waiting in line is a major indicator of what kind of customer you will be. Are you standing patiently? Or are you sighing, tapping your foot, and craning your neck to see what the holdup is? The cashier will see this impatient body language. They will immediately brace themselves for a difficult and stressful interaction.
7. The Quality of the Food You Buy
A cashier will get a very clear picture of your lifestyle from the quality of the food you buy. They can see if you are a “health nut” with a cart full of organic produce. They can also see if you are a busy parent with a lot of convenience foods or a “budget shopper” with mostly store-brand items. Cashiers are not judging you; they are just noticing a pattern.
The View from the Other Side
The checkout lane is a very human place. It is a brief but very telling interaction. A cashier is not a robot. They are a person who has become an expert at reading the small, non-verbal cues that we all give off. These cues can tell them, with a surprising amount of accuracy, what kind of experience they are about to have with you. A little bit of self-awareness and preparation can go a long way. It can make their day a whole lot easier.
Have you ever worked as a cashier? What is the one thing that you would instantly notice about a customer? Let us know in the comments!
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