what happened to hello? how are you? my name is?
Should cashiers be saying hello to customers? a mini rant.
Somehow, I found myself on the side of the Tic Tac app, where people are debating whether cashiers and service workers should greet their customers. At first, I said, “Haha,” but then I realised people were serious. Many truly felt service workers should not have to greet customers.
Have we lost our minds? Is politeness some lost art form?
I’ve scrolled down tens of Tic Tac (I’m intentionally saying Tic Tac) videos, searching for who sparked the conversation. My findings reveal it was content creator Anayka in a now possibly deleted video, where she joked, “Do cashiers not talk anymore?” regarding her experience with a cashier.
After this, I assume people just added more points with stitched videos and reposts. Some service workers have expressed they are tired of the “Emotional abuse” they face at work, having to interact with customers trauma dumping. They would be correct; as dramatic as emotional abuse sounds, my brother said it best; “Not everyone can carry the weight of strangers’ burdens like that. It can take a serious toll on one’s mental health; if people do say it (hello), then it’s nice, but I understand if they don’t. Service workers are extremely underpaid”.
To constantly hear about other issues, especially strangers, is invasive and unhealthy, so if you love trauma dumping to your local Coles cashier, please seek immediate counselling or rather consult your nearest GP for a referral. Nobody wants to hear about your cheating spouse, abusive mother or whatever else is wrong in your life this week. People are just doing their job.
I’ve worked in retail and hospitality and often dreaded conversing with customers. I found it tiring; I had to force a smile, fake giggle, and laugh to ease the air and act like I actually ate or shopped where I worked when you would not catch me anywhere near the establishment if it wasn’t to get paid.
So, I genuinely understand first-hand what service workers are talking about; some customers can be abusive, mentally straining, and violent. It can all be such an unpleasant experience, and I feel for people who do not have options but to work in such environments.
Another argument is that people are “too introverted” to say hi to customers. Again, have we lost our minds?
Many want the job without the description. Simply saying “Hello” or “Hi” is not emotional abuse. As highlighted above, I get the other side. Still, again, that said… how are you willingly applying for a service role with a description that acknowledges you will need to greet customers as part of your role and refuse to do so when you get the position. Not to sound like a hating ass boomer, but where is the work ethic?
I get it. COVID-19 made most of us more introverted and unable to interact in social situations, making the majority awkward, especially when the world opened again. People are still recovering from how COVID-19 has shaped many personalities. Now, it’s the rise of introverts, and many seem to think this introverted way of being can translate into workplaces that require social interactions.
You can still be an introvert and provide outstanding service with banter and charm, but you can’t be entitled at your job and blame being an introvert. Most of your favourite entertainers and celebrities are introverts, but they still get up at four am for that red carpet, gum showing, veneers polished, geeking at the Getty photographers. Where is your work ethic?
With all of this said, defund the government. I don’t know how given that they run everything, but I blame the government—all that money goes into their pockets while the average resident is slaving away. Look at our economy—a hot mess.
Defund the Government 2025.
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✧ Disclaimer ✧
Nyanyala (Nini) Kïer is not responsible for any political representation or influence, all information provided is in good faith, humour and entertainment.