Baby steps

For years I have resisted using self-checkouts. Part of it is that I prefer to interact with someone, but it is also partly due to fear. I was scared I wouldn't know how to use them. I finally used one the other day and it went fine. I didn't embarrass myself, sirens didn't go off, people didn't stop and point and shout "Look at that person who doesn't know how to use a self checkout." The world didn't end, and now I feel slightly less anxious about doing things I have never done before.

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Mar 24, 2019 at 4:34pm

bonus...a few free items every time doesn't hurt.

Anonymous

Mar 24, 2019 at 5:17pm

Aren't you putting people out of work by using them? What are we going to do when everything is automated or replaced with a AI program?

Okay but

Mar 24, 2019 at 7:35pm

I can also handle dealing with new things. However, I completely resist self checkout for a few reasons: they reduce staff which means fewer jobs. Frequently I see a staff person is necessary anyway because they tend to be problematic. They aren’t good for people with vision or hearing loss. Finally, and the main reason, is that the ONLY true benefit is for the store, because they’re reducing their bottom line without passing those profits along to their customers. I will continue to refuse to use them until they offer me at least a 10% discount on my purchases for doing so.

Anonymous

Mar 24, 2019 at 9:40pm

I am happy you feel good about it, but remember that the purpose self checkout is to eliminate jobs. Use the tellers and give someone a pay cheque.

If someone doesn't know how to use it

Mar 25, 2019 at 6:38am

I don't care. I have better things to do than worry about that. If you actually think everyone is looking at you then smoke less weed

Anonymous

Mar 25, 2019 at 8:39am

Some of them are great. Everyone is complaining about Shoppers Drug Mart right now but they have the most functional self checkouts, just wish they took cash. Safeway self checkouts basically require an attendant at all times, they glitch out so often.

13 9Rating: +4

Late bloomer

Mar 25, 2019 at 10:02am

I can relate to your "baby steps". When I was growing up, I didn't have an allowance and I was never allowed to handle money; if I wanted to buy something, I had to convince my parents of its worth. This was my parents' way of teaching me to value money (and it worked). When I was 17, my parents drove me to the CBC downtown mid-weekday for an interview. I'd had a little cash saved up, though I'm not sure how. So when I was waiting for them to pick me up, I went to the Flying Wedge in Library Square and I bought myself a slice. The act of handing over money to a cashier freaked me out a little bit, but it was exhilarating at the same time. Keep taking those baby steps. You'll get through life just fine.

14 8Rating: +6

You should be ashamed

Mar 25, 2019 at 6:47pm

Yeah, go join all the other soulless sellouts to humanity, and try to pull down everyone else you can into the belly of the abominable beast of technocracy!

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