Your experience is so relatable! I can hear those mumblings going off in my own head! Why is it that grocery stores can be a place of instant headache? It seems like our society feels so "entiled." If every one should be treated like we had titles, then wouldn't we all be gracious, kind & generous? But, I guess, it's more like "I'M entitled - not YOU!" Good for you for not making it a big deal and ruining your day as well! Can't you see the ripples extending creating more heartache?

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm not for sure if I would have been so gracious.

For me it's not forgetting my savings card, its the employees who is cordial and polite to everyone, and when I get to my turn, her attitude turns to "who do you think you are to come to my checkout?!" At first I used to feel like I have to apologize for being Native, but now, I pray God's mercy on her for being judgmental and continue being courteous myself. Even giving a genuine smile and saying thank you to lemon-sucking face.

If we could all remember that we will spend eternity with our Lord wouldn't it put our "waiting time", whether it be in lines at stores or red lights or for a child to finish something tedious, in perspective

I am a checker and I could relate to this experience. I have had bad days at work. Whether it is customers, management or home. Everyone has a story.
My prayer everyday is to go in with "joy".
I pray for my customers.
We do live in a fast pace, impatiant society. And we do need the Grace of God everyday.

It is so sad that we have become such a society in a hurry. In times past, shopping wasn't suppose to be done fast. It was where you met friends, discussed produce and lived in the moment. It was chance to teach your kids survivial skills on shopping. What was good, what wasn't, how to get a better deal.... Now it is sporting event.

Too bad that store don't take your telephone number when you forget your card. That is what our store does.

I work for a small grocery store, and happened to be a bagger one day. I am always nice to all the customers and people I work with even tell me so. I had a customer come in and blast me because I told her in a decent tone to go to the register with the light on. Let me tell you also that it was barely 8am, and she was possibly the third customer in the store. She got insulted and started going on a rampage about thats why she doesnt come to our store more often because the help is rude, and not nice. Which is not true at all. Not just speaking of myself but all the cashiers. Well, I told her I was sorry she felt that way, and that I was sorry. She didnt take it to heart instead she chose to blast me, and treat me like I was 10, and asked me to say it like I 'meant it'. I am 44 years old. Honestly, in retrospect, something must have been going on in her life that was making her miserable and she took it out on me, and she did what she set out to do, to make someone upset and make their day as troubled as hers. One thing I would like to add is, that we are "working", and our job is just as important as anyone elses. Cashiers get downplayed and degraded because of the position we hold. But honestly, we are the last person a customer sees, and if we cant please the customer they wont be coming back. Evidently, our store is not as bad as she says, because I have seen her in several times since. I pray for all the lost souls, that there hearts and minds will be opened to Jesus. He is what keeps me going everyday. My hope and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. May all of you be blessed today and everyday. Thank You

Ouch. I think we've all been one of these characters at one time or another, have we not?

Just yesterday, the kids and I were in a grocery store. There was just one person ahead of us, but she had gotten the wrong turkey breast. The kind she wanted was the shaved (it was on sale). The bagger went back to go get the one that was on sale and picked up ham instead of turkey. He went back for a SECOND time to get the right one. All this time, this one customer was holding up the line.

I was in no hurry, so I wasn't really bothered by it (although I was a bit shocked that she didn't apologize). From behind me, I hear "I wish she'd hurry up."

Imagine my shock when I saw that the words were coming out of my OWN 10 yr old son!

I chastised him, jokingly, saying 'Do you have a hot date? No? Then calm down. We don't have anywhere to go.'

Your story about your experience just made me think about my experience. We not only have a sense of entitlement, but we're passing it on the next generation.

We all need to get to our knees and pray!

Amen to your graciousness!!!
I was just in the grocery store myself a few hours ago - express lane & cashier having to go to the customer service desk, too - but this cashier was SUPER polite to EVERYONE...
For a split second as I anticipated a long wait, I wished for a large post-it note to cover the sign that read "Express", or to write "Almost" on it & stick it before "the E word"... I was hungry & realized at 5:00 that I hadn't eaten all day - my mistake & my problem, so it was time to get over the momentary impatience. Then as I watched the elderly couple & the single mom in line in front of me chatting away to pass the time, I thought to myself about how smart they were to do just that - nothing makes time pass faster than enjoying good conversation.
I, too, often pray for the beligerent people I see in stores that disrespect cashiers, as well as the salespeople that seem to be having a bad day. I thank them (mentally) for making me feel better about my own life, and then I pray that whatever has made them act that way is removed by God so their lives are happier. It stinks to be angry & I thank the good Lord for frequently remembering "how good I got it"!

YES THANKS,what I try and do when I notice the '\"cashier", I say "give me your arm" then I squeeze the arm [not hand] & say "here's a HUG" THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THANKFUL THAT I NOTICED THEY HAD A BAD DAY, anyone that is in a "sevice job "
[cashier, waitress, nurse,etc]
I have also said to people in line waiting & were in a hurry I have said be thankful
for the time you have by your self, it makes people think about the way they were
MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU IN YOUR HEART

thanks for sharing your experience! Its a great reminder to extend grace to those who arent extending it to you.

Actually my faith in God has made me much more tolerant and more patient. I use to grmble and moan and groan and do the eye rolling and exasperated huff when I had to wait in a line for what seemed like hours (when it reality it was probably only 3 whole minutes). I was short -tempered with people who had eleven items (how dar they!) instead of the regulated ten. I fumed at people who used checks instead of cash (unless they kept their loose change in a seperate change purse because that delayed the process too as they counted out 73 cents in pennies).
But growing closer to my Lord, now I smile pleasantly (because I really want to) and say, "No problem." I now view waiting in lines as opportunities to talk to God in prayer or to mentally give thanks to Him for a long list of blessings that I tick off in my head as I give thanks. Ihave found that in no time at all I am at the register/counter and I am in such a good mood and even carefree! When I smile at the person attending to me and greet him or her first I can't thank of a better way to be the patient and caring face of Jesus for them.

Having worked at a grocery store for a couple years as a teen now as an adult I am still amazed at the behavior of people sometimes. Whether it be the employees or the customers at grocery stores. There are people out there starving with nothing, or very little, to eat and the people with the bad attitudes have money to actually go to the grocery store! Then they get to go home and make a meal they like and eat it! People should go to the grocery store with an attitude of thanksgiving.

As I read through your story, I couldn't help but realize that although I try to consciously be gracious, kind, patient.... I'm not sure I would have been able to extend that graciousness to the cashier. I realized that while I am completely onboard with being understanding, kind, sympathetic, etc. to someone who's made a mistake, I'm not so generous with the people in the role of the nasty cashier. You brought out a very important point, that she obviously has other issues in her life contributing to her behavior. Of all involved, she probably needed prayer the most! God is so good to gently point things out to us. Thank you for sharing this experience!

Cashiers seem to be especially brusk and harried these days but there is nothing worse than bad customer service and she was the perfect example!Her reaction negatively affected the others in line.

Maybe next time we're all in that situation we can remind the cashier (and the forgetful customer) that "we've all forgotten things before, haven't we?"

Thanks for the reminder to be patient and kind.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger

Thanks. Because of the way I felt treated by my former doctor over 5 years, I felt uncomfortable coming in for medical care. I eventually had to disconnect with her, but it has bothered me since for various reasons.

Thanks for the reminder to have grace. It's okay to just forgive. When people don't have the Lord, it's so easy to feel like the world is coming apart and to take it out on others. I know He's been a big part of my strength and hope in many ways. I can't imagine being without it.

I work in retail and have been that cashier. I have never spoken to a customer in that way , but I have definently had that same attitude. Thanks for blogging about this experience.

I sometimes get caught in Ms. Super-efficient mode and find myself being short and curt. Not rude, just in a hurry to accomplish everything I need to. I'm making a conscious effort to slow down, especially in retail establishments. I now, say "Hello, how are you?" And I wait for a reply before I go on with my business. 90% of the time the salesperson, responds with, "Fine, thank you for asking."

Thanks for the reminder that these interactions have value.

It seems I often choose a checkout line at the grocery store which ends up being the slowest, the one with a problem, the one with the new (and slow) cashier, etc. etc.
What do I do? Well, long ago, when my kids were young, I would tell them that either God had me in that line to *learn* patience, or because I had *enough* patience to deal with it, while others might not. I still think that, and try to be as nice as possible while waiting. :)

great write up ,his grace is sufficient to see us through,any time i have such experience i always take a breath and ask God what to do or say to the person.many people are heart broken ,as such they burst out at the slighted opportunity they get to explode. God will help every believer in this race ,in jesus name that we may be instrument of peace

At a certain grocery chain in my area, there are several cashiers that act as if they hate their job. When it's my turn to checkout. I always smile and ask them how their day is. I encourage them to smile as well. This lets them know someone is watching and that their attitude shows. I always say "thank you" and tell them I hope their day gets better. Then I write a note to the store manager and tell them that it would be a more pleasant experience shopping at their store if the employees had a better attitude.

This incident is very eye-opening. It is a reminder that all people have feelings. The cashier should have been nicer and thankful that she had a job. The customer was obviously sorry she forgot the savings card. You were right to pray for them.