Alright, onto Part 2 of this Neverending Saga of Supermarket Stories…

As holidays ended and jobs started up again, the flow of people calmed down - in a sense. Along with restrictions, people would now mostly come in specific times. Like before work started, lunch times and after workday is over. Sure, people would come all day, but mostly a trickle VS a flood. Seriously, you’d think these people were starved for weeks or something.

Though the flow is also dependant on the days of the week. Mondays have Senior Discount Day, so majority of old folks around the area - not all, but most - go shopping then. And they always ask every Monday if the Senior Discounts are still happening. Ma’am, I don’t see why the company would discontinue 10% discounts that brings in a swell of people every Monday, you’re fine.

At least most of them pay nearly exactly instead of dropping huge notes, like others. And it's kinda sad that when one says 'that was the nicest thing anyone has said to me today' when I wish them a nice day.

Weekends are a mixed bag, depends on what happens there or the weather. Mostly slow trickles, could come in swells or just be empty for a bit. Very few ways to tell before opening the store. If Holiday, the days before are packed and the days of tend to be calmer. But if there are events during the day, or even in the evening, you might get some waves then.

As it was Pandemic Era, masks were mandatory. Now, most people did wear masks, be they the medical or made of cloth, types that followed the rules - though a number did not understand that it is supposed to go over the nose too - but some geniuses decided that any mask was allowed.

Ergo, Horse Head and Bruised-Up Man.

Horse Head was a rubber mask of an actual horse head. Dunno how he breathed in that thing, but the security guard did not yeet them out, so gonna guess it was fine. But, how is that better then a piece of cloth at the very least? The store is warm, does he not sweat? At all?

Bruised-Up Man was a rubber mask of a man that got cartoonishly beaten up pretty badly. I still don’t understand what made the shopper chose that mask in particular. Was it how they actually looked? Was it mocking someone? Probably will never know the answer to that.

A lot of small dogs are brought in the store. A lot. Mostly because it was winter and they are so small their owners can just carry them as they shop. But they are so cute. And some are very polite, even got a permission to pet a pupper. And a lot more doggos since then!

But while most of the dogs are very polite and curious…kids are mostly loud. Man, one just screeched for the heck of it - seriously, just head down, following the products as you scan it and suddenly this SCREECH came outta absolute nowhere, startling everyone in the first floor of the building, then you hear a baby laughing, like, little dude! Seriously, what are you doing, kid? Heart attacks are no good!

Then another almost threw a tantrum, because dad had to take his candy bag and gave it to me to scan and pay for it - probably thinking he's not going to get it, I guess. But it was not the kids first time in the store, and doubt it was the first time they bought candy, so why did they freak out like that?

And another started desperately crying, thinking mommy is leaving him...even though she stepped three steps from the store cart where the kid was sitting to pay for the stuff they want. Again, why, little guy???? Does mommy not usually do that????

Kids are nice, especially when older and can hold a conversation, I had a little girl explain to me why lynx’s are the best animal ever. Very fun, interesting to hear what they think and rationalize, given their limited life experience. I feel bad for the kids who wanted something, but restrictions didn't allow us to sell it, like balloons and toy cars. Still ridicules looking back - how do packaged toys transmit a disease?!

But little kids can be explained and dogs are The Best Little Guys Ever, but you know the truly most annoying thing? That people are so forgetful of their stuff! I have had people nearly forgotten their bank cards, their change, their entire purchase that they just paid for. It is so ridicules. Like, one thing, like chewing gum, because it slid in the corner, sure. But something like 20 items, is…incomprehensible to me.

Some come back, nice and all, thankful for keeping the stuff or letting them get it from inside of the store. We register the forgotten bought stuff in a journal, in case people do come back. But man, this one lady. She all but threw a tantrum. She forgot this small bottle of alcohol and accused me of watching her leave and not alerting her on purpose. What purpose? No idea. But, lady, I had a long line! The second one goes to pack is when I stop paying them any attention to focus on the next customer! I literally do not have the energy to watch after every person AND the line at the same time.

And not just stuff they bought, they forget their own stuff! One granny forgot where she put her bag, so she went to look for it, leaving her stuff as the next in line at the register...the next customers just handed me their stuff, so we can move the line, because she was taking too long.

There is a bakery right across from the registers, so many clients rush to get the freshly baked goodies, where most of the air-headed customers go without taking their stuff. Some do quickly leave the building, so harder to give them their purchase.

Speaking of buying stuff, people get really prissy when they expected a discount, but it didn’t appear, which leads to arguing about that, when they ignored the signs that state the condition to get said discount includes the phrases “with store card only“ (which they did not have) or “two or more“ (which they did not follow). I swear to the gods of my ancestors, one of the head cashiers had to bust out a calculator to explain how discounts work to this one old lady. And somebody else would huff and want it off their purchase just because of them not wanting the extra work of getting that discount. It’s so ridicules.

Is it the cashiers fault that they didn't see right? Like, this happened to me once on the other end. I found some flip-flops for one euro thought, neat and bought them and they were like 3 euro. I was confused about it, but I didn't threw a tantrum. I just payed the bill and sucked it up that I didn't see right.

Some people just really go to the store to have a fight. Like, my mentor was talking with the security guard and this random angry lady just went in her face with 'oh, so you're too good to do your job now?!' outta nowhere. Like???? Talking with colleagues is not forbidden, madam???

At least it wasn't in the same week as Calculator Lady.

Yeah, this all sounds rough overall, but there are worse jobs. Plus, I like routine, so it makes it easier.

Alright, Part 2 done, more in Part 3, it is just too hot to write anymore.