Do you think cashiers should read the room when there is a huge lineup and limit the amount they engage with customers?

I worked through both Christmas and New Years and tried to process everyone through the line as efficiently as possible as I personally hate waiting in long lines! But my coworker on the other till had no sense of urgency and was even talking to people about their nails. I felt like I was working 8x harder than her!

Well do you get paid to work that hard or care that much? on the other hand, it doesn't matter how busy the company is customer relations is still important and usually tensions are high when it's busy like that, so I see nothing wrong with making sure your customer feels comfortable and if that involves a conversation here and there then so be it in my opinion.

I can comment on someone’s nails and still keep ringing them up or wrapping their items. Some customers do require more hand-holding than others and many customers want that engagement. It’s all about balance at the end of the day!

I’m your co-worker.

Those conversations control the pace of the food being sent back to the kitchen, it also gets the people in line hype to see what’s so exciting to talk about and eat. If you greet everyone with a compliment they’ll spend more money.

The retail buisness I work want lines to be cut as much as possible. They literally tell us they dont want them waiting a long time in line and will have back up come to 2 different registers if needed. However they also want us to be pleasent with the customers and give them a good experience. We have to wear walkies so they said if a customer gets to deep in conversation act like youve bee called on the walkie and walk to the back for a minute. Then come back out when they have left and keep battling the line.

Yes, we should read the room. Where is the manager/lead? Are they trying to manage the line? Sometimes, it is more art than anything. Also, if someone is going through the line, they can do a lot to manage what goes on before they get to you, even if you don't have the option to scan everything before getting there.

But I used to have a little rant about how much more complicated the register has become. When I started in this crazy industry, it was "Hi, it will be $14.57, here's your change. Thanks, have a great day"

Now, it's Hi, welcome to XYZ, enter your phone number on the pad, will that be cash or charge? Would you like to try our free magazines? You can enter your email if you would like coupons. Would you like the protection on this product? Hit no on the pad. Would you like protection on this other product? Hit no on the pad. Paper or plastic? Your total is $14.57, would you like to round up for charity? Insert your card. Leave it in. No, let me restart it. Insert card. Leave it in. Leave it in. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE LEAVE IT IN!! Ok, it's beeping, please remove your card. Please remove your card. PLEASE REMOVE YOUR CARD. We have Product X coming out in 3 months, would you like to pre-order it? Our feature candy is this bar. Don't forget to check your email for our upcoming sale. Thanks for shopping with us"

I like to go shopping and often, I can only shop at busy times.

I've walked out leaving my shopping at times like that because long lines and little urgency does make me feel trapped. I'd rather save my money for now and go without.

Much respect to yourself for doing your best at work in those situations!

Having seen both sides of it, I understand what you are saying but I also get engaging with customers. I do think there are times when it does get a little over the top. Nothing wrong with engaging but also, there is a huge line waiting.

When I worked as a cashier there were quotas for customer engagement that we HAD to meet. Not that any of us or the customers enjoyed it, but I could make a few people happier each day and that’s what made it worth it.

I know that’s annoying to see when you have a coworker that is more social with customers. I was in your position at my previous job and I noticed my coworker was very chatty with customers while I was clearing the line. I guess it comes down to personality and how fast you work but I don’t think nothing is wrong with what they are doing.

YES!!!! Move that line. There’s plenty of time to chat and engage deeper when it’s slower but when you have a line up stick to the basics, greeting, thank you and next!!!