Dave Smith wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
>
>>
>> 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.
>
> Hey. No fair. We probably all used to know a lot more than 5 phone numbers
> before they invented speed dialling.
>
> Staff knowledge of produce items varies from store to store and clerk to
> clerk. Some hire mature people because they are are good reliable
> workers. Others hire students because they work cheaper.
>
>
>
My favorite cashier just retired a month ago. Thirty-five years with
Kroger in the same store. Miss Barbara knew every code in the store by
heart. She was the lady who trained all the new checkers and was also a
licensed florist for their flower department. Best of all she was only
four months younger than my wife and I and we shared a lot of
generational memories. She is sorely missed by all but I hope she enjoys
her well earned retirement.

Mr. Thomas, my favorite sacker, is in his late fifties and works there
because he doesn't want to just sit around in retirement from his
original career as an engineer. Says he gets to meet a lot of nice
people and the work isn't hard and he makes enough money to support his
hobby of hunting and fishing.