Yesterday, I went through the checkout line with
a small quantity of peppers. I watch the stocking
situation at the supermarket, and only buy when
the stock is recent and good quality.

CHECKER: Okay, what is this? [Holding bag up.]

ME: Habanero chili peppers.

CHECKER: [Riffles through instruction pages.]

ME: I believe that's thirty-one twenty five.

CHECKER: Huh? Oh, you mean the code, right?

ME: Yes.

CHECKER: Okay, let's try that. [Immediately
registers as Habanero Chili.] You're good!

* * * * *

Today, a similar situation with the same checker.

CHECKER: What's this? [Holds up bag of Brussels sprouts.]

ME: Forty-five fifty.

Of course, when the code is punched in, it registers
as "Brussel sprt" or whatever on the computer display.

And as I leave the checkstand, I hear her telling
the next customer:

CHECKER: That's my favorite customer!
He knows all of the codes!

Which is not quite true. I know a few codes which get
me checked out sooner, because they have in the past been
delays. The supermarket does not sell many of certain
items, which are sometimes items that I buy. Checkers
are often not familiar with the codes for these
seldom-sold items.