oh Cass, there was a news report last night. From Kiev. About the FIRE FESTIVAL. I thought of you. And Jilli. And wondered why you weren't there.

I was explicitly taught as a child (like, we had actual discussions about this in school) that, if you're buying something or conducting some other business that requires waiting on a line, and there are people on line behind you, then it's rude to take any more time than just the amount you need to get done whatever you need to do. Standing around chatting with the cashier while there are people behind me waiting to buy things just feels so wrong.

What smonster said. I've never seen a line of people wait while a southern cashier was chit chatting with another customer. While ringing things up, sure. A genuinely friendly, "Have a nice day!" as the customer is gathering their things, yep, but never just having a conversation while people are waiting, as that would be rude.

What DJ said.

But these days I often see a line come to a standstill because someone's more interested in their cellphone conversation than their transaction.

There is a FIRE FESTIVAL!??!!???

I thought of you. And Jilli. And wondered why you weren't there.

I want to know the same thing. No one tell Pete about this and maybe we can go next year. We'll say it's ... a cultural trip?

Fire pretty.

Well, that's a whole 'nother ball of wax. Some places now have signs that they won't serve you unless you have ended your cell phone conversation, which I support.

Hmm. I think of "checkout politeness" as asking "did you find everything?" while in the act of scanning my stuff. And then no more chit-chat. They can say "have a nice day" at the end if they like, and I won't gut them for it.

Which is why I use self-checkout and/or shop on the internet as much as humanly possible.

But these days I often see a line come to a standstill because someone's more interested in their cellphone conversation than their transaction.

That has happened to me twice in the past 18 hours while in NYC. Get off your fucking phone you fucking self important tool.

Yes, Cass, there is a Fire Festival. In Kiev. For those who aren't chicken.

But these days I often see a line come to a standstill because someone's more interested in their cellphone conversation than their transaction.

Oh lord yes! Also, retail is often thankless and kind of a beatdown sometimes. Exchanging plesantries with the cashier or counter person helps with that a bit. When I worked retail it was heartening when I told someone to "Have a nice day!" they said "Thanks! You too!" back.