Cashier Bagging Behavior, I Don'T Get It

[Jingthing]

This happens at all kinds of cashiers where you have purchased something that goes in a bag. Perhaps more so at grocery stores than at 7-11s. Watch out for this; it definitely happens a lot in Thailand. In my experience, pretty much always.

You are in the middle of buying something, paying cash, dealing with the change and putting it back in your wallet and either the cashier or the bagger insists on presenting the bag to you, raised off the counter, into your hand. That is whether your hands are busy doing something else or not.

It's uncanny and totally predictable. There may be tons of space to simply place the bag down and let gravity hold it there for some seconds, but no ..., you've got to be made to hold it before its time.

Once you see this pattern, you can have some fun with this. For example, move your hands away from the bag and watch them freak out and not know what to do. Will they chase after your hands, have their head explode, or perhaps do something logical like just put it on the counter. No, I don't really do that, but it could potentially be a little cheap fun. Generally what I do do when I am not ready to lift the bag (which is usually) is I just accept the bag by touching it if it is not raised up or if it is raised up I take the bag and immediately and with a certain flourish put the bag back down on the counter, often accompanied with a wry smile. (What are they thinking when I put the bag back down? Have I broken some ancient code of Thai merchant culture?) Then when I am good and ready, I lift the bag and leave. It's not as if I want to hang out with the cashier and bagger all day, but everything in its time ...

Edited April 2, 2012 by Jingthing

[BookMan]

As always JT...excellent observation skills and and entertaining subject.

[richard_smith237]

I think you might be able to successfully re-educate a nation !!!

BTW: Do you have issues with your groceries on the baht bus? perhaps pay more for excess baggage? what about the dilema: Do you place your bags on the floor or the seat next to you? Life is tough !! ;-)

[BookMan]

I would suggest the 'random spanner in the works' technique..here are a few to get you started...

Random spanner 1.

Once the cashier has finished bagging your items...and presuming there is only a few... Quizzically looking at the bag and then informing the cashier that you do not require a bag?

When the Cashier has removed your items from said bag, then request that you now be given the empty bag. Place the bag on over your head and tie a knot under you chin with the straps.

Comment to the cashier that you believe rain is coming.

Random spanner 2.

When the cashier hands you the bag, in return give them whatever is in your hand; the wallet, the change, the coins, your keys etc: Do this BEFORE you get the bag back. Once they give you the bag, say thank you. At this point the cashier will then offer you back your wallet/keys/etc.

When the cashier does this, then hand the bag you have just received from the cashier back to said cashier. Obviously you could carry on with this game all day, and what a laugh you might have, but just once or twice should suffice.

Random spanner 3.

When the cashier hands you the bag, begin to cluck like a chicken and do a chicken dance. Make sure you do a full 360 degree chicken dance circle. At no point acknowledge the cashier. By the time you finish your 360 degree dance you should find your bag now sitting waiting for you on the counter.

These are just a few random spanners that come to mind. Obviously there are many more out there.

Edited April 2, 2012 by BookMan

[CharlieH]

Bookman, you really should get out more...lol

[Crossy]

No, he should publish on YouTube

[David48]

Bookman, you really should get out more...lol

I put it down to a sugar hit from eating too much ice-cream.

He's normally much better then that.

[xen]

Yesterday in Big C, Rama 4, i had an experience when the cashier typically places the items such as frozen food in with the clothing/ cosmetics/ stationary etc instead of putting like with like so the frozen food keeps other frozen food cold . I put the bags into the trolly and started repacking and so this began the flinging the rest of the bags of groceries onto the shelf with some force. I thought i did it with some degree of subtlely , enough not to have her loose face but it was quiet obvious i had offended her by her temper tantrum. What is the correct etiquite in this situation.

[tutsiwarrior]

you guys got it all wrong...I just patronize shops that have attractive shop assistants in tight jeans and t-shirts and then watch when they package things up; bending slightly but just enough fer me to look down their t-shirts at their full, brown breasts and admire their backside contour...and then I exit knowing that I got more than I paid for...