this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2025
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I like self checkout. I struggle with talking to people and it can really drain on me so it's a godsend to have if I only need to run in for a few things.
People are using it to steal because people can't afford the basic necessities anymore and we've lost a shit ton of our purchasing power.
Valid take.
That being said, I'd probably prefer human checkout unless we can get a more-automated form of self checkout. Self checkouts have gotten a lot better since the early days, but human checkers are still faster than I am at the self-checkout and if a human is doing the checkout, I can dick around on my phone or whatever.
Cost savings are nice, but cost savings on my groceries just aren't a massive concern for me. There just isn't that much human time being expended on checking my back out. I don't have strong feelings about the human interaction one way or another.
Maybe one day, we can get some sort of robotic arm setup that can do checkouts as well as a human checker, and then I'd quite happily be in the "machine" camp.
Oh I don't give a crap about their "savings".
Even if self checkout is more expensive to the companies I still prefer self-checkout for personal reasons rather than economical ones.
Besides the issues and opportunities for theft that self checkout creates means that it's probably a wash as far as how much money they're saving.
I definitely understand though not wanting to like scan your own groceries or deal with the whole system it would refer somebody else to do it. That's why they should have both available.
i'm right there with you. i'm at the point where i will go self-checkout even if the line is shorter for the cashier. I checkout faster than most cashiers. I don't like having to rush with laying everything out and then rush to bag it before the next person. I usually have headphones in at the store to tune all the bs out, I don't want to take them out to make small talk with an 18 year old for 2 minutes while they fumble with my groceries. Self-checkout is just better at this point.
Where the hell are you shopping that you have to make small talk? I say "hi" when I walk up. Wait while they scan. They say "that'll be $10". I tap my card, say "thanks" and leave.
If people can't even interact with each other on a surface level like that it's no wonder we're all so lonely and depressed.
On a related note, I've been wondering whether the masking for COVID-19 will have any long term effects. Like, little kids didn't see faces much for years during their formative years. I don't know how much people need to learn to associate facial expressions with communication at a particular point in their development.
Basically anywhere in the US besides Aldi. And Aldi works fine because the cashiers are trained to skip small talk, scan everything quickly, drop it directly into the cart, and then leave me to go bag my groceries in peace without having to rush.
I'm happy for you extroverts to go use the cashier checkout lanes if you are that desperate for small talk. I can small talk, but I don't like it, esp in scenarios like this where i'm focused on other tasks. The interaction is not fun, it does not liven up my day. It's just draining.
Now social interaction with my friends? Social interaction at a party? That shit fills me up, but i'm not going to the grocery store to get my social fix.
That's amusing. I'm a total introvert. I don't do small talk. It's draining to me too. That's why I'm wondering where the hell you're shopping. I never use self checkouts and never have a problem with having to chat with anyone.
Agreed. Governments need to put a stop to greedflation, get employers to pay people better and tax the ultra wealthy more.
I think that's a good start if electoralism can get us that far. That does sound a whole lot better than the way we have it now