“Taking a step back can often be the quickest way forward”

The other day I went shopping for some home repair supplies. I went to self check out because there was a register available & I find myself to be quicker than most cashiers, lol.

My register wasn’t working properly & it kept asking for a code so I had to ask the head cashier to come over. The head cashier was a young man, early twenties, athletic build, who seemed flustered already. There were other people calling him over for codes so I knew all the machines were acting up. It was snowing mixed with sleet that day so I’m not sure if the weather played any part in the commotion.

Well my machine asked for a code a few more times & I can see this young man growing increasingly more frustrated each time he came over. By the fifth time I gave up & decided to go to a human cashier. When the young man sees me driving my cart away he says “where you going?” I replied “I’m going to a cashier” He then loudly says “You don’t have to get mad, I’ll check you out” But the best part was, he says that with an attitude. I was annoyed at this point but I kept my cool & I said “I’m not mad”

He then shoots back again with the same attitude “Still, you don’t have to get mad” Everyone else checking out stops and looks at me. Now I’m mad! I felt he was extremely unprofessional but I knew he was having a bad day so I didn’t say anything & I moved to his register.

This young man was running from register to register putting his code into everyone’s machine & I could see he was losing his cool. It was so bad that I made eye contact with one of the other cashiers (casually pleading for her to help him out) so she came over when she was done with her customer & helped out.

When all the chaos was over, that young man came over & apologized to me. I accepted his apology, thanked him for his help & I left.

I could have easily escalated the situation….easily, lol. But sometimes you have to take a step back, take a deep breath and evaluate a situation. I knew this kid was having a really rough day and who knows if he was new, nervous or any number of factors.

Don’t get me wrong, that does not excuse his behavior by any means but maybe he also realized he was wrong. I’m just grateful that I kept my cool long enough to give him the opportunity to apologize to me.