Like most people nowadays I'm increasingly concerned about the plastic crisis. I do my bit to try and save the oceans by re-using plastic bags and disposable cutlery, but until an alternative is introduced I occasionally have to submit.
We all know the struggle of a self checkout don't we ....
Have you swiped your nectar card?
Please wait for an assistant.
and the eternally embarrassing UNEXPECTED ITEM IN BAGGING AREA! (which usually comes out extremely loud alerting all the other shoppers and staff that you're actually a thief and the police will be here any minute .... even though you've yet to scan your first item)
Popping into Boots for some 'men's items' (no, I haven't had to succumb to Tena men just yet) I unwittingly had to use the self checkout option. I patiently waited for the member of staff to grin maniacally at me and point at a free machine like a Disney World employee showing you which way the ride entrance is, and I set about my scanning duties.
Have you noticed by the way that some of the bigger chains no longer trust us muggles to scan that 5p bag ourselves so you have to ask for one? Then of course they will scan the bag themselves and give you a satisfied look as if to say 'You ain't stealing from us!!'
Well upon asking for one this particular employee looked rather uncomfortable and fluttered about looking behind the machines, under the machines and over his shoulder for another employee to help him.
"Erm .... yeah ..... erm ..... we've actually ... erm run out of bags and er ... we have to order some more ...."
Upon hearing that the biggest chemist chain in the world had forgotten to order any bags and knowing full well the man was lying so he didn't have to go looking for some, my face contorted into my favourite emoji, 😳
As I started cramming my coat pockets however, another employee appeared as if by magic with a massive handful of plastic bags. Yep, the lying employee had been well and truly shamed.
"Oh erm .... yeah ..... erm ... we've just found some"
Clearly embarrassed he grabbed a bag and opened it for me as I happily filled it.
I trotted out to the street with a smug face ...... and now 5p richer!
xxx