You're viewing a single thread.
Grocery baggers. I'm German - we pack our own bags over here and most customers do NOT like others to fondle their groceries. We literally do not have any "baggers" in any supermarket, and if a cashier packs a customer's bags without being specifically asked to do so (basically never happens) the customer will take that as an insult - as if you're trying to say they don't get out of your sight fast enough / that you want to speed up their departure to get rid of them, or that you don't think they're capable of that super basic, simple task. It's considered rude and condescending.
A cashier is expected to scan the stuff the customer wants to buy, take payment, hand over the receipt and change, and then leave the customer and their groceries alone.
This seems more like a regional thing these days, over here. I haven't seen grociers bagging groceries for customers since I was a child. I mean... outside of delivery or curbside pick-up. I do remember it being a pretty standard thing, though. Heck, it used to be a dedicated job position.
The bagger is presented as a courtesy, someone to do the work for you. In reality you're exactly right: it's to keep a brisk pace for the transaction. And if it takes too long to finish the transaction the manager can also yell at someone to speed it up.
We have Aldi here (at least in some of the states) so some of us know what you mean. But it's definitely not the norm, so many customers aren't very acclimated to the rapid baggerless checkout.
WinCo Foods doesn't bag for you either. Love their cheap prices.
Hear hear! Why is this so hard to understand in this damn country?! (US)
I always just tell the sacker I'm going to do it myself. They never have a problem with that
Some popular supermarkets will have grocery baggers here in Norway on super busy days before long holidays, for efficiency to keep the lines moving. Maybe two or three days a year.
Same in the UK, they scan it, then you're on your own.