How To Embarrass Checkout Staff Messing Around With One Customer.

[mca]

I think that in addition to the well documented mid life crisis there is something to be said of an old age crisis, especially among many of the retirees in this wonderful country.

What on earth would posses a mature gentleman to start yawning loudly like a 15 year old being told off by his mother because he hasn't been noticed at a supermarket check out? Ah of course, a 'mature' gentleman wouldn't. And as for standing there cross legged saying I need a pee pee. Well, the mind boggles.

There has to be some sort of senile meltdown happening if its not only beyond the ability to say 'excuse me, are you working?' in Thai (or English if you lack the ability or motivation to learn even a few words of your adopted country) and instead make loud yawning noises or bizarre toilet references to girls a quarter of their age.

And for the whole episode to actually become an event that lasts longer in the mind than the 4 seconds it actually took place for would lead one to asume there are some very mundane lives counting down to death in the hills and beyond.

It really is no wonder that retirees in this country are so often stereotyped as ridiculous old twits with this sort of behaviour. Thais look up to their elders as the pillars of their society, what on earth must they think when they see this sort of bizarre and cringeworthy behaviour day in day out from the pillocks of our society...

I've found a simple "Excuse me" in Thai and slightly raised eyebrows to indicate I'm waiting is the way forward. Unlike the scruffy seedy western scuzzbucket in Tesco Lotus Khon Kaen who, upon the cashier girl accidentally starting to ring up the next persons stuff on his bill, shouted "NO IDIOT!' and looked at me and smirked as if I was some kindred spirit. Not in a million years mate. Not in a million years.

[Kananga]

Has anyone heard about patience?

Sure, I've heard about patience, but when the checkout girl is just messing about having a jolly good old time with another staff member, and I've been standing there for 5 minutes with my one item, I think it's a bit beyond the pale.

For those that thought she might have been on her break, no, she wasn't.

So let me get this straight, you stood there in silence for 5 full minutes and then decided the best way to be served was to start yawning loudly?

Would it have not been easier, faster and more normal to asses the situation which should take someone of sound mind about 4 seconds to do and they say excuse me, can I pay for this here?

I don't know why, but it just seems more logical than standing in silence for 5 minutes and then start yawning loudly at check out girls less than half your age.

[Donnie Brasco]

Works every time. I am not Thai, so why the hell would I lose face over a silly 7 year old language skill? I actually bend my knees while saying it. All you politically correct folks here (kwai?) need to lighten up a bit.

There's nothing politically incorrect about a group of expats commenting collectively about a ninny-@ss farang who not only makes a complete fool of himself at a Tesco check out but who then goes on to a public forum and boasts about it as if he'd discovered a wonderfully creative alternative to adult behavior.

Ninny-ism is not pretty.

[Donnie Brasco]

Ok.

What's the Thai word for ninny-@ss farang ?

[simon43]

I just (very obviously), take a photo of the check-out girl with my mobile phone. That freaks them out.

[Birdman]

check out staff can at least speak a bit English, you say politely: "excuse me, but I am in a hurry, my plane will leave soon...." She will understand and check you out. Same is in Thai possible of course, if you can speak Thai. All other strategics are from minor success and make probably you lose face. Confrontation any style is a lose lose situation, mostly for the costumer.

People, who can handle that the decent way, will forget that "non-incident" immediately. For people who can't, there are more incidents to follow for sure, in their daily emotionally fight against a completely other culture....

[TexasRanger]

I just queue up and get served normally, every time. Surely other people have experienced this phenomenon?

[pgs]

I just leave the trolley with the items in it at the checkout, and go home. Then i tell the TGF to go and do the shopping

Why in the world would you be out shopping in the first place. If the old lady is sitting at home while you go out shopping ..... not judging, just saying.......

Why? Guaranteed to be cheaper..

[itchybum]

If its a 7-11, I just piss in those trays of mints. That gets them off their phone fast.

do not.

Works every time. I am not Thai, so why the hell would I lose face over a silly 7 year old language skill? I actually bend my knees while saying it. All you politically correct folks here (kwai?) need to lighten up a bit.

Yes, I worry endlessly about losing face to a Thai......

[uptheos]

"How To Embarrass Check-out Staff?"

From a lot of answers I've read, some people seem to have a deep seated need to embarrass themselves!

[thaibeachlovers]

Reading some responses, really makes me wonder how many actually live in Thailand or understand anything.

You can fart, speak , scream, jump, blow bubbles but you will not be served until she/he is ready.

Perhaps not, but making them lose face is perhaps the ultimate revenge.

[samran]

Reading some responses, really makes me wonder how many actually live in Thailand or understand anything.

You can fart, speak , scream, jump, blow bubbles but you will not be served until she/he is ready.

Perhaps not, but making them lose face is perhaps the ultimate revenge.

I don't know. Spending my life playing an endless game of 'gotchya' and 'see I made you look stupid'?. Miserable existence.

[muythai2013]

everyone is saying what they do or say, most in reality probably just stand and wait and leave in silence.

It's simple, wait in line until it's your turn, if they are talking to each other or on the phone just be honest, tell them to serve you now and continue that later, honesty will always work even though they will not like it.

[Cuban]

I can't wait to see all the 'burmese speaking' farang linguists here on Thaivisa zealously correcting peoples Burmese

"....farang linguists here on Thaivisa zealously correcting people's Burmese."

Missed the apostrophe.

[sunlong]

thaibeachlovers, on 04 Jun 2013 - 01:10, said:

lemoncake, on 01 Jun 2013 - 18:04, said:

Reading some responses, really makes me wonder how many actually live in Thailand or understand anything.

You can fart, speak , scream, jump, blow bubbles but you will not be served until she/he is ready.

Perhaps not, but making them lose face is perhaps the ultimate revenge.

And:

Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind

-- Juvenal

[Sheryl]

Some personal insults have been removed. Keep it civil please.

[Kananga]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

[HeavyDrinker]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

Nor did you embarrass her either.

Nice to see some Westerners can function in a normal human way without having to resort to some of the utter buffoonery posted here...

[Spoonman]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

3. Tell her in Thai your penis hurts when you take a piss.

[Kananga]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

3. Tell her in Thai your penis hurts when you take a piss.

Well there is always that option. However as my children were with me I wanted to show them how adults should conduct themselves in public. If they started fake yawning or pretending they needed the toilet they wouldn't get their pension, I mean pocket money for a week.

[mca]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

3. Tell her in Thai your penis hurts when you take a piss.

I agree.And then show her while yawning loudly and saying "The buffalo can speak" in English. I tell you what some of the suggestions on TVF are pure gold. Advice to live your life by.

[mca]

Or if you really wanna insult them you can say...

Kwai puut mak loey = the buffalo speaks alot!

Highly recommended for use with a gaggle of motorcycle taxi drivers at the end of a soi or off-duty police officers knocking back the Johnnie Black in an upcountry restaurant. Also the perfect opportunity to see exactly what your expat health insurance accident cover will take care of.

[sunlong]

[thaibeachlovers]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

And how does your situation equate in any way to my OP?

[Rimmer]

One post with incorrect quotes removed

[besth]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

And how does your situation equate in any way to my OP?

How doesn't it equate to your OP?

It is exactly the same situation. Both of you were in a commercial area, not receiving the service you should be getting, because

the staff was busy with personal things, whilst being paid by their employers to do their jobs.

What is different is your reaction and Kanaga's.

He acted like the huge majority of reasonable people would act. Made his point and got things sorted out quickly.

You say you played some foolish act that supposedly made the staff lose face. I don't see how but that's beside the point. I can see how she

would have felt ashamed for you, but obviously you couldn't care less about that, so no winners on that one.

All in all, probably your reaction brought more positive results than Kanaga's, as his only got things sorted out quickly and yours I'm sure

gave a few people a good story to tell that evening about the ting-tong farang who did whatever.

Next time you may want to try air guitar!

[thaibeachlovers]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

And how does your situation equate in any way to my OP?

How doesn't it equate to your OP?

It is exactly the same situation. Both of you were in a commercial area, not receiving the service you should be getting, because

the staff was busy with personal things, whilst being paid by their employers to do their jobs.

What is different is your reaction and Kanaga's.

He acted like the huge majority of reasonable people would act. Made his point and got things sorted out quickly.

You say you played some foolish act that supposedly made the staff lose face. I don't see how but that's beside the point. I can see how she

would have felt ashamed for you, but obviously you couldn't care less about that, so no winners on that one.

All in all, probably your reaction brought more positive results than Kanaga's, as his only got things sorted out quickly and yours I'm sure

gave a few people a good story to tell that evening about the ting-tong farang who did whatever.

Next time you may want to try air guitar!

If you can't tell the difference...............................................

I was being held up by a checkout staff messing around with another customer (not doing personal things ). ie she couldn't help me till she had finished with the first customer.

kananga was faced with someone talking on their phone that could stop and help him straight away.

If you don't like what I did, start your own thread to help people deal with ignorant staff if you feel that you have a better solution.

I have a way of embarrassing inconsiderate staff messing about and holding up customers for no good reason without resorting to screaming and shouting.

IMO they deserve to be embarrassed. If people don't like that, they can run along to utopialand and spend their days singing Kumbaya.

[besth]

I was in Tesco Lotus today. My children wanted to use the indoor playground. The girl who oversees this dept was stood in the corner next to the arcade games pretending to use a feather duster while chatting away on her mobile phone.

I was presented with two options.

1 - Stand in Tesco for 5 minutes without doing anything and then without warning start yawning loudly in front of everyone in the direction of the girl on the phone.

2 - Walk up to her and ask her if my children could use the playground now.

I went for the second option. Took all of 6 seconds to execute and I didn't embarrass myself in the process. Of course I missed the opportunity to get REVENGE on this young girl, but then I guess I'm not the vengeful type. Well not over non-issues anyway.

And how does your situation equate in any way to my OP?

How doesn't it equate to your OP?

It is exactly the same situation. Both of you were in a commercial area, not receiving the service you should be getting, because

the staff was busy with personal things, whilst being paid by their employers to do their jobs.

What is different is your reaction and Kanaga's.

He acted like the huge majority of reasonable people would act. Made his point and got things sorted out quickly.

You say you played some foolish act that supposedly made the staff lose face. I don't see how but that's beside the point. I can see how she

would have felt ashamed for you, but obviously you couldn't care less about that, so no winners on that one.

All in all, probably your reaction brought more positive results than Kanaga's, as his only got things sorted out quickly and yours I'm sure

gave a few people a good story to tell that evening about the ting-tong farang who did whatever.

Next time you may want to try air guitar!

If you can't tell the difference...............................................

I was being held up by a checkout staff messing around with another customer (not doing personal things ). ie she couldn't help me till she had finished with the first customer.

kananga was faced with someone talking on their phone that could stop and help him straight away.

If you don't like what I did, start your own thread to help people deal with ignorant staff if you feel that you have a better solution.

I have a way of embarrassing inconsiderate staff messing about and holding up customers for no good reason without resorting to screaming and shouting.

IMO they deserve to be embarrassed. If people don't like that, they can run along to utopialand and spend their days singing Kumbaya.

If you can't see how it is the same........................................................................................

Are you sure you embarrass THEM?

[Cambodger]

Why would you possibly want to embarrass the poor girl and make her lose face if she was only doing her job dealing with a customer ahead of you in the queue?

I can picture the scene now, like some cringeworthy Mr Bean sketch.

[homeownership]

jep shee? Where the hell do these people learn "Thai"? Doesnt your Mrs correct you or is she happy to see you make a fool of yourself?

I think this is completely self explanatory. My maid let me going around BKK for a week saying " Kanum Bang", which means sweet bread. Instead of saying "Kop Kunn Kapp" )Thank you.

Its like a one upmanship for them. She said she didnt want me to lose face. I said, I look a right t--t getting out of a taxi, shouting "sweet bread" at the taxi driver.