I’ve just been in Sainsbury’s in King’s Lynn and as usual I took my shopping to the served checkouts. Yes, self checkouts are faster and more efficient and I used to use them all the time but I decided a couple of years ago that I’d use a served checkout wherever possible because it keeps someone in a job.
The cashier was chatting to an elderly gentlemen in front of me about how to spell samphire, which surprised me as I didn’t think they sold that as Sainbury’s so I tuned into the conversation. When it was my turn to check my items through, my curiosity won out and I asked the cashier if they sold samphire all the time.
“No. That gentleman has just brought me a bunch of it.”
“Oh, that’s nice of him.” (Gita, it’s none of your business.)
“Yes. He comes in here to see me every evening.”
“Is that not - dare I say it? - a little creepy?”
“Not at all. It started during the pandemic. People were so isolated that this was the only time they could pop in and have a chat with anyone else. And it’s just carried on.”
“It’s good that you’re here then, still serving at the checkout. My nearest supermarket in London is a Waitrose. I’ve been going there for 30 years. When I had my first baby I felt so isolated and lonely and the staff were allowed to chat to me and we built up good friendships. They were my lifeline and they pulled me through. ”
“Yes. I like to help especially the elderly people who find it difficult to use the self-checkouts. I don’t know what they would do if they ever move to self-checkout only in here. And I’m disabled. I can’t stand by the self-checkouts all day so if they go, so do I.”
Digital exclusion is a real problem. If we must give in to shininess and efficiency, please let’s spare a thought for those who feel left behind in our busy world.
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