A Pet Peeve -- How we treat Cashiers?

Question

Many years ago, when I worked as a cashier, I noticed that when I told the customer how much their purchase would be. They then would reach into their pocket for the cash and instead of putting it into my outreached hand, they instead place it on the table. WHY?????

If they are to receive change, the customer extends their hand and expects the cashier to place it in their hands.

I've found it to be quite rude and disrespectful.

Am I right? And, the next time, you go shopping watch to see what you do.

ps: Whenever this happened and a customer would not place the money in my hand, I would return their change ON THE TABLE as well. The looks that I would get were quite revealing.

Answer 1

Of course, you're pulling money out of a nice, organized drawer and I'm pulling it out of my pocket or wallet where it's all kind of jumbled together.  It's easier to put the bills and change on the counter as I pull them out than to juggle them until I have them all together, or put them in your hand one at a time.

Answer 2

Well, I think you may be reading too much into it. I do that sometimes. It isn't a sign that I don't want to touch the person- it just works out that way.

And on the flip side, often the cashiers will not verbally say your total (that screen thingy is hard to see), and they will throw your change at you so it falls on the floor.

Answer 3

your right, they used to do the same to me and I hated it. I am very aware of how I treat cashiers because I used to be one.

Oh, and for all you people that said maybe they are afraid of germs, if that's true then why are they handling cash? Cash has been through so many different hands and germs that it's not even funny.

Answer 4

I really don't know why Americans do that.

But I know in a lot of places in Europe, there's a special little tray on the counter that you're supposed to put your money in, so there's never contact between the cashier and the customer.

So maybe everyone who came through your line was European!

Answer 5

I completely agree that it is rude when the customer puts the money on the counter instead of your outreached hand...it honestly wastes transaction time for you to pick up the coins!

Answer 6

This reminds me of very cheap people I use to wait on while bartending.  They would do that to me and then put their hand out for the nickel change they would get back for their beer.  I figure if they wanted that nickel so bad and couldn't be considerate enough to put the money in my hand then they were going to have to work for that nickel.  I'd put it on the edge of the counter and let them reach over a grab it.

Answer 7

If this is your biggest source of irritation with people, consider yourself blessed.  

If the cashier has their hand out, I hand it to them.  If I'm ready before they are, I put the money where they can take it when they are ready. I don't care if they hand me the change or put it on the table, as long as it's reasonably accurate, which is hoping for a lot these days.

Answer 8

This happened to me all the time when I was a cashier in college, like I was dirty to touch or something. Then when I put the money back not in their hands, they got offended. Funny.

Answer 9

ahhh yess i feel yah, used to be a cashier before and i think it is rude as well.

im also guilty of the, you put it on the counter for me, then im gonna put it on the counter for you

its great, especially when they already have their hand out like your going to put it in there for them

hahahahaha

i think maybe it will make them realize that having to collect change and bills off of a counter is a teeny tiny bit more of a pain, and will consider changing that themselves..

also i think a big part of it was being a cashier is boring, and i secretly enjoyed getting the slightest rise out of someone.. for lack of a better thing to do. hahah.

Answer 10

Sounds like you are overreacting to me.

You're trained to do your job, they are not trained to treat you how you want to be treated

Answer 11

I have been both a cashier for many years & also a customer as well & all I can say about your complaint is "so what", as long as they pay & don't give you a problem what the heck is the difference of where & how they give you the money ?

I know some people do not want to touch another person's hand, fine. Actually personally I feel rushed when a pushy, in the hurry cashier has her hand out as I am trying to count out my money. Their hand extended says to me "HURRY UP, GIVE ME THE MONEY" !

Answer 12

The money is more dirty/germy than your hands.  But if customers prefer it that way, hey why not go along with it?  There are a lot of things that people do that don't make any sense.  Pick your battles.

Answer 13

I work in a retail pharmacy.  Know how you feel.  I don't mind if they are counting money on the counter, but did they have to just toss the $20 on the counter instead of handing it to me?  I don't know if they want to add more to it, or change their mind and pay me with two $10's or what.

--------------------------------------...

"Whenever this happened and a customer would not place the money in my hand, I would return their change ON THE TABLE as well. The looks that I would get were quite revealing."

Wish I could have been there! :)

Answer 14

I find that rude...but some people are so afraid of germs they will do this...it's nothing personal against you.

Answer 15

I've been a cashier and this doesn't bother me. I'd rather pick it up on the counter because usually the way it's handed to me necessitates that I do just that. I would hand the money back to the customer in their hand with coins first and dollars on top.

I had more of a problem with people just being rude overall, expecting cashiers to know everything and to have more authority then they do.

Answer 16

the only thing i can say in our defense being the customer, is maybe we're thinking maybe you/the cashier might want to either see the money. or maybe its easier to count when lifting it off the counter. or maybe its a germ issue. idk. thats a good question.

Answer 17

Some people do it out of respect so that they don't interfere with your personal space or maybe the cashier isn't paying attention, besides cashiers always have a bad attitude.. It's not anyones fault that the cashier couldn't get a better job and hates her job. Cashiers should smile, be courteous and they will receive the same in return... But if the casheir doesn't say good morning, and doesn't make eye contact then the customer won't do it either... I always say good morning to cashiers and they're mostly in a bad attitude, saying good morning without making eye contact. So i don't see the point, cashier should be the ones who are nice to customers because the customer is always right!

Answer 18

I always count the money out on the table, that way the cashier can see I am giving them exact change.  Whether the cashier puts the change in my hand or the table doesn't' matter to me as long as they give me back the right change.  Heck in one grocery store I go to the change comes out of a little shoot so all the clerk does is put the receipt in the bag.