On May 29, 1:13�am, Mark Thorson > wrote:
> 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.

That's not true... what they're unfamiliar with is the names of the
items... once they know the name of an item then all they need to know
is the alphabet to look it up on their chart. Checkers do know the
majority of common produce names including their code numbers, it's
the odd ball items, like habaneros, that they're often unfamiliar.
Even the most experienced checkers don't remember parsnips, fennel,
and many of the oriental vegetables... I'd venture to bet most rfc'ers
can't tell endive from chickory, mustard from turnip greens. I never
expect the checkers to remember every produce item/number... today's
modern stupidmarkest carry well over 1,000 kinds of produce... I bet
most of yoose can't remember five phone numbers lest you check your
cell phone directory, is why they invented voice recognition, just for
the stupes like you.