Checkout by Anna Sam Read Free Book Online Page A

exit, his bag full of shopping under his arm. By the time the checkout girl can react and warn security he is already home free. He counts on the passivity of the crowd and the checkout girl’s weariness. Nice try, but it won’t work. This tactic requires the security guards also to be very tired or else absent altogether. So you have to choose your time carefully and watch out for the security guards’ break times. It can be a question of seconds.
     
    I would also like to warn you about a final point: beware of other customers. Some are born to tell tales and won’thesitate to betray you to a checkout girl or to management. Honestly, I promise. So be careful when you steal in the aisles (and hiding a pan under your jumper isn’t very discreet anyway!).
    Some useful advice, I hope.
    Good luck!
    Supermarket raids? Don’t push it!

I’M THE BOSS!
    Did you think that when you were on the till you were alone at the helm dealing with the customers? Wrong. You’re forgetting your boss – who has one eye looking out for you and one eye watching you.
    But who is he or she? What do they do? What is their day like? And what is the best way for you to manage your boss?
    There are nearly as many managers as checkout girls in supermarkets. Some will last a few days, others years. Each will have their own method, goals and principles.
The efficient boss
    They have climbed the ladder, rung by rung, throughhard work and they certainly deserve their place. They fully understand the workings of the store and know how to solve problems. They will be there to help if you have a problem.
    Your till breaks down. You call your supervisor (naturally).
    â€˜My till is stuck.’
    â€˜I’m on my way,’ the efficient boss replies immediately.
    Three and a half seconds later the door of the Office opens and your supervisor emerges with a telephone in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. ‘Good morning!’ he says with a big smile for the customer. ‘I’ll take care of this little problem, won’t take a second.’
    Yes, managers like that do exist, I’ve actually met some!
The eternally dissatisfied boss
    Fear not – you will also meet some moody ones. They don’t say hello. Want to try the same with your customers? (Oh, that’s right, you can’t, you’re not a boss.)
    You will also come across the moaners. When it comes to the sensitive issue of cashing up, these are the bosses who harass you, adding to your stress. And they don’t see any more need to be helpful than they do to be nice.
    â€˜My till is stuck. I can’t do anything.’
    â€˜Again? Bloody tills! And bloody checkout girls who don’t look after their equipment,’ followed by an unintelligible grumble.
    One of their minions will arrive a few minutes later to reboot the till. While you wait you should tell the customer a few jokes to keep the bad vibes emanating from the telephone from reaching the customer.
The God boss
    This one only thinks about his career, his progress and his personal goals. He forgets that staff under his command still have rights. His weapon? Excessive communication. He writes hundreds of memos – on targets, turnover and performance. He spells everything out for you. You’ll almost feel involved in the running of the store – until your lovely boss reveals his predatory side.
    If you say hello to the union representative and chat with him for a couple of minutes you can be sure that thirty seconds later the boss will ask you if you have a problem with authority …
    If you need to change your hours because of a personal appointment you’d better agree to do overtime (unpaid and claimed back in lieu … six months later) the week before unless you want to attract the rage of the God boss.
    And if you are unlucky enough to contest a truly unfair decision by the boss he will quickly call you to order with his unanswerable argument: ‘I’m