nah, it's rare when people aren't too talkative. There is always a problem with prices bc shop always fuck up. Also people will complain non stop at you for anything
Also: cashiers in most, if not all European countries are allowed to sit down and actually have a chair. It's so normal to me (I live in the Netherlands), and when I learned that they have to stand up the entire time in the USA I was shocked.
The worst part is that standing still for so long on those hard floors can actually cause medical issues too. They are literally hurting people for "image."
I have no clue why they can't sit other than to look like they're always ready to come run and help 😂 Though usually older folks or those with disabilities, at a good grocery store, will let them have a swivel chair to sit in
@@whatsthekeytothekeykat I think it's because people consider it "lazy" and rude towards the customers (who are standing, so the cashiers should stand as well apparently) :/
Loathe it, it's so insincere ... "guapa" " hija". Can't stand it in English either "love" "darling" etc. especially when their eyes and facial expressions don't match the love language 😅
@BamaMophi It's wild how quickly that changes when the trucks stop showing up. I worked as a manager at Walmart during the pandemic and the hurricanes that happened in our area, and just missing 2-3 trucks damn near emptied some of our shelves. I remember calling the meat and produce distribution center, and them telling me almost half of their drivers were out either sick or taking care of sick family. We had one day where our fresh meat was 99% empty, so we had to get an emergency frozen food truck just to at least have frozen meat bc we almost emptied our freezers in 24 hours.
@@gwynnethweinrich2612 Right? I always HATED that. MY room was an "organized" mess and I knew where everything was but my mon STILL could find things that I "lost".
It just accentuates the fact that they are forced to be cheery and conversational with the customer, even when they would rather just do the work and get to their kid's birthday.
We all know a Justin. That kid who is always missing when it's time to work. Off playing on his phone or pretending to work while gooding around. You gotta yell "JUSTIN" like that to get his attention.
My family are romanian immigrants to France and I remember one time we were at a grocery store in Southern France and the clerk asked us where we were from in english, I told him we're romanian and then the next time we were there he greeted us in romanian which he'd clearly just learned, it was incredibly sweet and certainly made us feel less out of place having only been there for a couple of weeks.
@@d.a.tsun5104 I think they are lying about the south USA. South is fake nice. Those people are so back handed. Everything is them making fun of you. Not a good intention around. It's like they look for blackmail. North Mid Westerners are the "ope sorry" folk. The East Coast is just blunt and doesn't waste your time. Would you rather deal with "honest" and fast or slow and two faced? I never went west... but I think they can be entitled? From the people I meet.
In general in The Netherlands it’s like in France but one supermarket chain now has dedicated slow checkout desks, where you can go if you want to chat with the cashier. They did it to combat loneliness, especially among the elderly.
in the US if you want to aviod contact you use the self checkout. So much nicer because you don't have to deal with anyone at all and can bag your things how you want.
French impression - 10/10 - totally love it - I hate smalltalk. You can always be friendly by smiling and telling them to have a good day, which is enough They’re total strangers that won’t see each other ever again, why ask all these questions if you’re not interested anyway, there’s no point.
I’m not total strangers with the clerks at my local grocery stores. They know me and I know them. Maybe if you are in a huge city and you shop a bunch of different stores outside your neighborhood….but even then, when I lived in Tokyo the clerks their knew and when I moved back to the USA and visited three years later, and with two new babies in tow, they remembered me. I loved that. ❤
I work as a cashier in America, And have for 10 years. We are all human.. some people don't talk. Theres a difference between not talking and completely ignoring the cashier. Being a cashier is hard mentally. We get so many types of people in our lines.. it can be hard when one customer is super happy and the next won't look you in the eyes. All I'm trying to say is please be kind even if you don't want to talk.
Just wanted to comment that some of us are autistic but don't look like it so we struggle with social interactions and also shopping is exhausting and the checkout is a lot to do and talking is extra distraction. I like all cashiers and never mean to be rude. Hope that helps.
I'm a cashier at Target. So many different kinds of people. Now I don't want to talk to them anymore unless I have to. Half-smile, bag as fast as I can, and get them out. 🤷♀️
@@Suzanne1999I go to target sometimes JUST to fight this type of attitude bc it destroys the social fabric of our great nation I will love you regardless if you don’t like me, that’s your choice not mine haha!! You are in fact getting paid to be appreciated so there’s no sympathy from me Suzanne ❤
I'm in Northern Germany. It's "Moin" and "Moin" and then "bep-bep-bep-bep-bep" - "Need a receipt?" - "No, thanks" - "Bye" - "Bye". No small talk. I love it.
As someone who used to work as a cashier myself, I can tell you that being this friendly to customers is exhausting. If it were a couple of times a day of chit-chat it'd be fine, but make it 80 times and it quickly gets old.
You say this like it’s an absolute when really it’s just a personality trait. I worked as a cashier and other customer-facing jobs and this was my favorite part of the job!
Last Thanksgiving, the sweet old lady cashier at my local grocery store gave me some tips on making my first turkey and hyped me up so much - "I know it's going to be wonderful", "you're going to do great!" Came back in after Thanksgiving and she asked about my turkey, and I showed her photos. She was so proud. She's like my grocery store mom - such a sweet lady.
I once told an anxious first turkey maker "Don't let that buzzard get the best of you, you got this." He posted pics on the book of faces and was so proud.
So true- well I lived in Germany, but this is one of my favorite things about America. Simply going outside makes you happy because there are so many friendly smiles and conversations here and there throughout your day
People act fake in the US. They smile to your face and then talk shit behind your back. America is superficial. At least in Europe you know what you get.
I lived in Paris 26 years! I only met my same floor neighbor after living 4 years in the building! One thing I trully loved in France is to cross the street to the opposite sidewalk not to have to say hello to people! Selon moi, c'est une excellente preuve de civilization! On s'en occupe pas de la vie d'autrui! Et encore mieux...on n'accorde guère l'occasion de s'en occuper de la notre! 🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️
@@OatmealTheCrazy Oh, right, I understand. I was just thinking about the fact that not all unkindness to people is about what we DO -- that some of it can be from what we DON'T do. I'm not sure how that idea fits in with it. I'll have to do my usual overthinking on this. 🤔
@@thelemurofmadagascar9183 but it's a fake and forced smile because their boss tells them they have to. When really they're probably close to cussing at every annoying customer lol. I love a random smile with a stranger when we both see something funny happen or something. But a smile from someone that isn't genuine and only because they're paid for it makes me uncomfortable. Like I'm in a play with them haha
@eevee2411 I agree 100 percent. There's too much compulsory fake smiling in the U.S. One of the things I liked about France( and other European countries) is that they don't smile at strangers. Some Americans interpret this as rudeness, however. P.S. I'm American, and am frequently taken to task for not smiling enough. 😠
Publix is the best!! BEST HOT & COLD SUBS! BEST DELI & BAKERY! I wish they were cheaper, but quality & cleanliness is expensive sometimes. I just wish the Hunters Creek Orlando Publix would get rid of the goat soap display. The "Dragon" aroma soap stinks up the store so bad. 🤢😷🤧🫢😬😪🥴😵💫😤
As an American I'm also freaking out, and I've had to live here all 34 years of my entire life. I desperately want out of this crap. But I have no choice other than to be here :) Consider yourself lucky that this isn't a daily interaction that you have to deal with :)
As a southern American, I can't imagine a world where people don't acknowledge one another! That's not an insult or anything, it's just weird to me to have another person right in front of you without a few pleasantries.
As a cashier in Europe, we can acknowledge you with a "Good day" and "Goodbye" Anything other than that is exhausting for someone that is working a lot of hours and on top of that has a lot of curious, chatty customers. It's maybe fine for an extrovert but for an introvert that's like working two jobs if you have to make small talk with everyone.
@@NymphaeAvernales I'm Greek and we do pleasantries a lot, but I don't find it necessary and I don't feel bad for not talking to the person next to me. A simple Hi and Bye suffice.
Over here in Germany it's the same. But very appreciated. We aren't built for having smalltalk with strangers. Either we are really interested in the other person's day, or we aren't.
As an Indonesian living in Germany, same. It felt weird to make a small talk with a literal stranger who you're just see for a few minutes and then forgot all about them.
This is actually why Walmart failed in Europe. The idiot American tasked to enter the German market made the employees behave like Americans in this video and after traumatizing Germans, they never came back again and the chain closed everything due to low attendance.
Meanwhile, lidl and aldi workers are scanning at the speed of light and depending on if you get a friendly one, having a full conversation while doing it 😂
I was a grocery store cashier - highest scanning ratio and customer satisfaction in the store. You figure out quickly who wants to talk and who doesn't, but everyone likes fast.
I’ve found that these interactions vary pretty significantly in the US depending on the region you’re in. In the northeast my experience is usually similar to how France is depicted here. After living most of my life in the south it took me a while to get used to cashiers in NYC not acknowledging my existence.
Right! From the south we talk to everyone. We went out west. And I kid you not. People looked at me like I was gonna rob them because I said hi how are yall when I walked by someone. Lol.
too many people for that shit here and when someone talks to you it's usually because they want something. Not to mention all the 3rd world immigrants here, so speaking English isn't always an option. It's a fake, self-centered cesspool here.
I’ve always lived in the south and it seems the trend now is 20 year old on their phone who believes you are annoying them by utilizing the checkout line
I visited Paris twice when I was a teenager with my grandparents and there was a grocery store right around the corner from our hotel room that my brother and I would stop in and get Fanta and strange candies to try and the checkout lady heard my brother and I speaking english to each other before we got to the front of the line. She spoke english as well, but I didn't know that so when I got to the front of the line, I started to try my best to speak the very little french I knew and she was so sweet, she corrected me in english and asked me to pronounce it again so I could work on my French. She was so helpful. It was one of the best interactions I had there because you always hear the French hate when tourists can't speak French. I think if you are trying, that's all that matters to them.
You're exactly right. What the French dislike is when a tourist comes up to them to ask directions (as an example) and starts trying to speak English immediately without even trying for a greeting in French. Just saying "Bonjour Madame/monsieur" before asking any question will get them in a much more receptive frame of mind. And if you can keep talking in French even if it's just pointing at a map and saying "Moi veux là (Me wants there)" they will be much happier than if you assume they speak English. The language is an important part of the culture, and any attempt at it makes them feel like the person is genuinely interested in being in France, not just here because the famous thing they've seen picture of happens to be in the country. It makes them feel seen instead of part of the show, if that makes sense.
@@anivijudi Yeah and then the same French people when abroad not only can´t speak a word of the local language, but can´t even speak English and mix in French. I work as a cashier in Norway and French tourists are by far the worst in this regard ahaha!
I took two years of French - I try. My teacher wasn't very good at teaching. Germans are the same way, if they hear you trying to speak German they'll automatically switch to English, I'm like thanks but no thanks.
@@heatheranderson3323 A friend who speaks fluent French (he's a translator) regularly suffers this if a shop worker or so on hears him talking in English with his social group. He has to politely keep speaking French until they stop trying to talk to him in English - to be fair, they might be trying to work on their English as well, so you never know.
I worked in a Wisconsin grocery store as teenager. We were open a half day on thanksgiving morning and I got at least three offers in four hours to join families for dinner. Everyone was very concerned I might have nowhere to go.
A German friend of mine was visiting me in the USA and she said, "oh, I forgot how you have to smile at everyone you see and ask them how they are here." It made me laugh. Like wow, what a burden! LOL!
Yah, many people Europeans are off put by this mannerism in North America and think people are trying to get something from them. But when they settle down and lean into it they find that it actually lifts their mood!
I moved to Utah a couple of years ago and the grocery checker invited me to her bbq that weekend after she found out that I just moved around the area. LoL
not trying to rain on any parades, just want a vibe check; would this scenario be uncomfortable for anyone else? I am autistic, so that could easily be a factor. but for me it's a bit too overly familliar. going to people's houses is a hard no for me if I don't already know them decently well, and idk if this is common or really weird of me. I am happy it makes yall feel warm and included, though. I understand the intent when I get invites like that, I always feel really bad when I turn them down bc I know they're being nice and want to get to know me, but I'd realistically be anxious the whole time and generally not be fun to be around. I tend to say things like "maybe next time" just so they know I'm not 100% shutting down the idea permanently
@@DemraSynfata the nice thing about being invited somewhere when you don't know the person is that you can say no to them, or if you wanna be polite you could say not this time. No one is expecting you to agree to go and I guarantee you're not hurting anyone's feelings.
@@DemraSynfata nah bro it's chill some people just don't wanna be friends w someone instantly, I prolly wouldn't either, but I love when they ask it makes me feel so included. But yeah dont feel bad 4 rejecting lol
This is why Walmart failed in europe. Here in Portugal, you won't have your items bagged... its not the cashiers work and they don't get paid enough anyways
I live in Sweden and would be mad if someone even thought of touching my items after they've been scanned! Putting them in a bag? I would never ever go back to that store. Now I go to the type of stores where you can scan the items yourself. Don't know if there's a specific English word for them.
I live in Maryland (US) and I'm pretty sure the local grocery store clerks would be confused if they had to actually bag things. Everyone bags their own stuff from what I've seen, but then almost everyone brings their own bags anyways.
That's funny because Walmart just added more self checkouts and less cashiers and everyone is angry because they want a person to scan and bag their stuff😅
@@emnis368 Haha! Things really can be different depending on where you live. I know that many here in Sweden appreciate to not be "forced" to talk to anyone while shopping. On the other hand, you know the meme with "waiting for the bus like a Swede" where people stand in a line with a lot(!) of space between them? That's pretty accurate :D (We do talk a lot as well, but don't when it's not necessary)
I used to be shy but working customer service allowed me to become the outgoing person I was alwyas meant to be. I am so thankful for the GENUINE and kind customer service here in the US. When I worked at Target and asked how your day was you best believe I actually care
I’m Canadian and I think the awkward silence would kill me, I always end up learning enough about the cashier to successfully access their bank accounts man!
😂 Canadian expat of 36 years (since I was 20) in Europe (France and Belgium mainly), apart from some exceptions, I absolutely confirm this. I'm originally from Cape Breton Island, NS and this is something I have NEVER gotten used to. Most (not all), Europeans have zero personality in these situations, sadly.
@@Canuckbelgogo to a small village for this type of interaction where everyone knows eachother. In the City people do not care and will not pretend to care like in North America.
@@Syntax.error. I live in a VERY small village south of Charleroi hun. I've lived in both France (my first year) and then the next... 35 years in rural Belgium. I married and raised children here - lived all of my adult life here. The most "hilaruous" is that most people here who are honest... say the same thing.
Last year my french kids visited the US for the first time with my american husband and me. I remember my son asking my husband all the time "do you know her?" because of how friendly every cashier was 😂
I'm from Philadelphia. When my grandparents took me to their hometown in Appalachia, I asked them if they knew the super friendly cashier and the answer was, "Course we do, that's your second cousin Tammy."
This is one of the reasons why Walmart failed in Germany, people were creeped out by the overly chatty and artificially polite staff. Not counting other factors like Walmart not understanding the economy of Germany, shopping habits of Germans and having trouble adjusting to employee protections and worker unions in Germany.
What you call artificial politeness we call customer service. If when people go into your store and it's all sad faces looking like they hate life, the odds are low of the customer returning.
@@lorenzowashington5546 for small shops maybe, for supermarkets? Hell no, we germans don´t go to supermarkets to talk to ppl, we go there to get groceries and be gone again, the less you bother us, the happier we and the staff are.
Same. They give wonderful suggestions too. "Did you see this or that. I used this for whatever recipe" I'm in Texas, so we're extra friendly. I was in customer service for 15ish years, give me all the conversation. I'll do the damn surveys too! 🤣 🤣
I'm in northern BC and I chit chat with my customers if they want, tell them if I have tried something they're buying and like it, give dinner ideas or cooking instructions if asked. If they seem to want quiet I give them that. I couldn't imagine spending an entire shift in that social void. My younger son (17) went to Paris on a group trip and enjoyed the experience, from the Romany street hawkers to the employee at the arcade with a bulk candy store and of course teasing his travel group with threats of hitting the pool in Speedos. The Cathedral and Eiffel tower made less of an impact on him than the people.
In Mexico, we're similar to Americans in this situation too!! 😂😂 However, the small talk would be different. In the American way, it feels more customer service-oriented, but in Mexico, the conversation would be more gossip-oriented, like talking about a current scandal or complaining about things like prices, weather, the government, etc.
Midwest here. Yes, it is exhausting unless you are someone who likes pointless banter. I have been a cashier. I'm not interested in striking up a convo unless it's about the stuff you are buying. You don't care about my day; I know this. Let's not pretend.
I’ve noticed a weird shift lately at my local grocery store where cashiers and baggers will try to have conversations with you and ask you why you picked out this blue canvas bag at a random store three years ago. It’s made shopping frustrating. I’d go to the self-checkout, but they’ve closed them all due to “retail theft”.
sometimes her in england you get someone who scans your shopping so fast it gets home before you do, 😂😂😂 although other times they take so long that you might as well buy a birthday cake too cause your going to be celebrating it inline.
Really? That's too forward and extrovert for my liking! Northern European here. If you go to the supermarket in the UK, hoping to make friends..... you'll be disappointed. People will just think you're abit weird!! And abit too eager/desperate/in yer face. Cashiers are polite, but don't expect to get invited to a family party, even if you have a good conversation with them while packing - it ain't gonna happen! We're too reserved for that.
@@robtyman4281 People in Brazil are just more relaxed in general, specially on the beaches , like Rio de Janeiro: a lot of Sun, a lot of drinks and everybody laughing and talking all the same time. Latin America is way more extrovert, Europeans and Americans in Brazil are knowing as cold. No offense.
I was so overwhelmed in the US with everyone being so excited and chatty and so much use of the words "Amazing".. "Fantastic".. "Exciting".. "Incredible".. I used to think it was fiction for effect in the movies.. I couldn't believe that people were actually that way
Agreed, I am a introvert by American standards and even I will banter with the clerk if they engage. I also hate self checkouts since I see it as a store that is already price gouging me trying to get me to bag my own stuff.
Yeah, we Americans can be enthusiastic, it's kind of encouraged throughout our lives, as is being social with even strangers, so we end up doing that. Even if we're introverts, (Like me) we often still beave that way if engaged, just because it's so normal. I honestly don't even realize that about us until someone from outside America mentions it, because I'm used to it. Some of us can also be rather friendly because we want to make people feel a little happier than when we met them. 😊
I live in America, and always make sure to help bag my own groceries when it’s extra busy and they’re always grateful. I usually let them bag my groceries when it isn’t busy because the store I frequent often hires disabled folks for the bagging position and they take great pride in doing their job so I will only step in when the store is short staffed but the cashier always seems to appreciate me helping out anyway. As someone who also has a disability I understand the pride they take in their work. So much love for grocery store workers because most of us literally depend on them to survive (as in most people aren’t really growing enough to food to not purchase from grocery stores at all)
I am French and I always smile and say jokes to cashiers, they generally really like having a customer who isn't rude or plain miserable. Doesn't have to be the way you portray it. Spread the love! Everyone wants some love.
yep same for me. as long as you stay polite and don't insult them ,talk with a smile and say hello first , you can chat with the cashier just fine. even more if you don't have a line waiting after you.
I was a cashier in France when I was a student and I was very surprised at the amount of people who would engage in small talks, asking me about my life, my studies , if I had read the book they were buying. I as a client never, ever would have thought of having a conversation with a cashier. It was funny , I liked that job and I was quite good at it, I even had to pack the bags in that retail store, I was so smooth sliping those books in the plastic bags. lol.
I moved to Portugal last year. The Portuguese are like the French (as shown in this video). But Brazilian workers (at least here) talk among themselves (rather than with customers) and hardly concentrate on the work. Any store or restaurants with Brazilian workers here are extremely slow and you just keep on waiting while you see them chatting in groups even if there are long queues and it gets frustrating sometimes. Very stark contrast in the work culture of Portuguese and Brazilians despite having a shared history for the last few centuries.
Yes I have observed this in the US and initially I was pleasantly surprised how chatty how friendly Americans are and loved it .they do small talks everywhere and are very friendly people
Those are probably the extroverted people. I’m an introvert and hate small talk with people I don’t know well enough. I’ve been told I’m friendly but as a cashier I just say the minimum and don’t chat with most customers. I can joke around with a few regulars. We also have both friendly and rude customers.
i fucking hate it, its so fake and cringe. I dont want to be spoken to, i want to get my shit and go. Its not friendly its social pressure to spout stupid nonsense.
@@nitintyagi2024Americans are not the most friendly ppl by a long shot, maybe if you compare it to French or even more unfriendly people but you walk in New York and try and greet someone they’ll look at you like you’re crazy for just saying hi
As a midwestern in another country, i miss small talk. I moss just saying nice things to people like "oh, i love your bag" or " your hair looks great" to just random people. Its just nice to make someone happy.
That...sounds terrible. Maybe italy needs to actually invest in clubs or rec centers if people are that desperate. I just want to grab groceries, not have an improptu city-council meet-up
My grandmother thought grocery stores were social clubs. My mom seems to somehow find people that she knows. Then she wonders why I don’t want to go out shopping with her. 😂
Come to rural France. The cashier from our little grocery store (Franprix) knows my son since he's born, i know her life's up and downs. I once forgot my wallet, i didn't had a car back then and she knew. The shop was about to close, I was the last customer, she just told her coworker she would be back in a second and she DROVE ME HOME with my groceries so i could grab my wallet and took me back to the closed store to pay. 🥺
I love when cashiers will tell me their plans, or when people ask me about myself. It’s really nice to just remember we’re all just going through life as people, doing different things. Rather than seeing each other as just “workers” and just “customers”
I think I'm the complete opposite because I like it when they just bag and we just go. I mean of course they have to be friendly but I don't care for it chit chat when it comes to the customer service. I don't know why I've always been like that
I started crying first time I went grocery shopping in the US because the cashiers were so nice. I didn't have to carry my groceries out. It was so pleasant and noticeably easier for such a mundane thing.
And I cried one time when I was trying to be friendly and fast and had one a$$hole after another until an older German lady came through and after I checked her out she told me to always remember that my job was an important one and to be proud to do it as well as I was. She inspired me to start my own retail customer service oriented business and I continued being friendly, helpful and proactive with customers. I wouldn't try to get blood from a stone if someone didn't seem to want to talk. I just read the room.
Where was this bc that is NOT at all the norm! Are you disabled? Have more than 1 cart? Children with you? bc for an able bodied adult no grocery store will take the time to pay an employee to carry groceries out, that's not in their Job description and here in the US all corporate cares about is profit. this story must be from 1950 and a blizzard if a single able body female.
I studied abroad in Spain recently and one of the things I missed most about home was the friendly chatter of a midwestern mom checking me out at the grocery store. I think these small gestures of care is one of those things that make America beautiful.
I think it's one of those things that make the rest of the world wonder when did you start going nuts and why nobody noticed it before the January 6 Capitol attack
@@darioa.5381 Calling an impromptu unguided tour an 'attack' is hilarious. There was less news back in the day when terrorists actually set off a bomb in the Capitol building than about that fed psyop.
Yea I’m a 29 year old American and I don’t like talking too much to cashiers so I use self checkout 😂 they are very nice though! Especially in the west side and mid west of America :)
My french dad in the States thought people were TOO friendly, he was like how could people possible care that much about my day or about what I'll be doing with it? 😂 I'm honestly happy both ways, talking or no talking 😊
Tbh that's something I hear a lot from people coming to the US, "How is/was your day" in most cases is just a simple greeting that you're mostly meant to just say "it's been good" too and continue on. It's weird even to me because if you actually explain your day a lot of people will think it's weird but are polite and wont cut you off.
As a cashier, I actually don't care at all about how your day has been. I won't ask unless I've been asked first. In which case my response is automatically "good, how are you" even if I'm literally crying. I think it's weird how as service workers we have to be your best friend and therapist all day everyday while making minimum wage
This isn't the 90s. Most kids working there can only talk to someone through a phone screen and get all weird with in-perpson conversation. They aren't called the lonely generation for nothing.
As a former cashier, this is true. I got a lot more out of my job than I anticipated, and it meant a lot when people were kind, took an interest in me, & even got me gifts!
@@MisterIncoga library and a grocery store have many similarities. People come in and shop/browse for what they want. They bring it to the counter and we check them out/ring them up. They can ask staff where to find the items their looking for. When there is a queue, you have to move fast to get as many people checked out as possible, calling for backup if needed. The main differences is libraries "sell" books while grocery stores sell food. Libraries are funded by donations, grants and taxes while a grocery store charges per item. Library items are reusable while grocery store items are single use.
Library worker here! Just yesterday I said about someone’s 4 year old “that’s the fun age” lol. I’m in a small neighborhood branch so I know all my regulars by name, can look them up without even scanning their cards
@@jdaze1as a French AND autistic person I just don’t know how to do small talk (people here don’t do it a lot but when they do it’s horrifying lol). If a cashier started telling me about her day I would just freeze not knowing what to do, that’s why I always use the automatic ones, that way I don’t have any kind of social interaction with a stranger
This is why I love Spain… they usually encourage you to speak Spanish, I understand basic Spanish and had a whole average conversation with the cashier and I slipped up with a sentence ever so slightly, her jaw dropped when she asked if I was english! It’s appreciated in most countries when you learn their language!
I had multiple experiences in France that I think about. I froze with one woman. I think she was annoyed, but wasn't rude. The next time, I was practicing my limited French in my head the entire time i was shopping. I had a moment of panic when she asked a question the first time. When she repeated it the second, I answered. I was so happy I was beaming because I got it right. She laughed at me in the best way. The memory always makes me smile
Yes , the cashiers are friendly if they know you ( I have been going to the same supermarket for 9 years ) and we talk , but we bag stuff very fast as we are at it.
In the U.S. they've gotten rid of most of them over the last 5 years or so. Automated checking, almost everywhere you go (and of course, the machines malfunction often).
If you've ever been to Ireland...you can tell where Americans get it from! Also, what about southern Europe? The cold interactions are mainly in northern Europe.
@@gregre99 I'm Italian, it depends on where you live, in the cities it's less likely to meet sociable cashiers, in the villages it's easier. In the north people are more reserved than in the south. I live in Poland now and here people don't talk or smile to strangers
Bagging the groceries yourself, that's basically my experience at Aldi. Good to know it's not just a Germany thing (or just an Aldi thing since I'm from the US).
One of the biggest culture shocks for me when moving overseas was the hairdresser who DID NOT TALK except to ask questions about my hair 😂 Edit: this was *my* particular experience, with my hairdresser who I went to for 2 years in Korea. I know that not every single hairdresser outside of the US is like this.
Where was this? In the Netherlands, and I was born and raised there, small talk with the cashier is also uncommon but at every hairdresser I've been to, there was effort to get conversation going. Sometimes too much to my taste, I don't always like to talk about myself. Then I learned the trick: ask about their life and you can have conversation without having to talk about yourself.
Tell me about it! I was on the phone yesterday with Senior Services. The guy had this weird fake voice, sort of like "this is the voice I use with old people" He over pronounced and he had a totally unctuous sound to his voice. I couldn't get off the phone fast enough!
yall are adults and deserve the dignity and respect that comes with that, I'm sorry you were treated like that. I work in geriatric care and notice that I tend to have a customer service voice, however I avoid infantilizing the patient. I like to ask open ended questions like, "Does that work for you?", avoiding assumptions. Tbh pls lmk if there's anything I can improve on or should be aware of, I'm still young so I could easily have some blind spots. I can only hope I'll be treated well when it's my turn to be in your shoes
It’s definitely genuine when I’m cashiering. It is a sort of code switch, and being perky and happy for hour can be exhausting, but I genuinely do care about the people I talk to and want to make them happy.
no one is friendly, theyre spitting in your soup behind your back because they never have a release for their emotions because they always have to fake caring about you just to get more money out of you when it comes to tips. Its actually disgusting behaviour.
The german way is best. Speed of light scanning, a simple hello and bye if you feel like it, and you're out. Best interactions I have in my life, no unnecessary talks. Just pure efficiency. I love it.
@@Boozneos-h2xit's much more fun than pretending to care and pretending to be happy without actually wanting to have a meaningful human interaction, which seems to be the default seppo modus operandi
American customer service is LEGENDARY! ❤ (it saddens me that most people don’t get paid enough and desperately needs tips but I have always felt very welcomed there as a tourist… random fact: the only other place I’ve experienced exceptional hospitality was Greece).
They probably get paid so little because they scan at half the speed whilst having a chat, so you need to employ twice as many to serve the same number of paying customers
fake conversations and forced dialogues is not 'legendary' customer service, its embarassing. These are grown adults doing a job, get your shit and go. I feel like you americans have convinced yourselves that the overworked person whos served 1000 other people that day really gives the slighest fuck about you or your life.
@@randommusic4567 the usa in general has poor workers rights too. Theyre working 40 hours minimum with their healthcare tied to their jobs so they have to adhere to their bosses demands thats where this fake friendly shit comes in, theyve done studies that show americans buy more shit when you dote on them like theyre children. If you tried to make a euro do this youd be like nah fuck that and if they had an issue you could go to the union or just go on benefits while you look for another job lol.
@@mayam518that is so not true. If you’re working for tips in a restaurant, you are going to be very hospitable. Don’t like it, don’t go out to eat in America
I think one of my favorite "how to spot an American" things is that we're weirdly friendly. It givea me hope that not only the worst of us get to travel.
@@KindredBrujah Are you saying that being very friendly isnt suitable or that people no being friendly isnt suitable? Reads either way and I wanna make sure I'm responding right. XD
@@DorksidertheGreat when people say "weirdly friendly" its because some American tourists come off as super nosy and shallow. Its like your small talk is so fake, you have these big smiles and loud voices but we all know we are never meeting each other again anyway. I guess you can call it overly polite (which isn't the same as friendly). If you are a genuine person then the small talk doesn't feel that way and being outgoing and extroverted is only a positive. I've met Americans of both kinds
@@denusklausen3685 I get that, I'm mainly talking about the more positive "weirdly friendly" ones. Even if we never meet again its nice to get to know folks, trade experiences and the joy of finding common ground even though we are whole countries apart. Folk being overly loud and nosy for the sake of "I met a native!" isnt ok by any standard. I'm sorry if anyone was rude or treated y'all like tourist attractions. Some of us just really like learning about folk for the sake of "aw, they seem so nice!"
I love the human touch. I love being able to connect with people in everyday life. If you don't want to talk, order online and stay at home. Otherwise, don't expect people in public to just conform to your needs. This whole "is it weird to talk to strangers in public?" thing needs to stop. I say, do it if you want to, and it's up to them if they want to be rude and ignore you.
Americans buy multiple bags groceries all at once. French people tend to buy in smaller batches. I prefer the friendliness even if it's fake. There are studies that say that if you smile even if you're not happy, it still affects your mood positively. Obviously, it's not good to overdo it, but your disposition can greatly affect your life. This is coming from someone who's shy as fuck and can't maintain a conversation like the one in the video. I still prefer to interact with friendly people even if I can't match their energy
There might be a few more pleasantries at a British checkout but yeah, we are closer to the French mindset. And no way would my mum trust somebody else to pack the bags for her. 😱🙂 No no no.
As a European cashier this is unbelivable accurate, I process a couple of hundred customers a day. I usually get annoyed if people are overly talkative, at the end of my shifts I am a husk and you're lucky if you even get a word out of me.
The transition from customer service voice to normal when calling for Justin is so accurate. Being an introvert in France is great.
nah, it's rare when people aren't too talkative.
There is always a problem with prices bc shop always fuck up. Also people will complain non stop at you for anything
Chatgpt
Bot 😊
@@Crainshaw83 what are you on about
french introverts is why my grandchildren will never meet a real french person. they are being overrun
Same in Germany but the cashier scans the products faster than the speed of light.
The do that here in France too, i just dump everything into the trolley cos trying to bag the items is futile!
as in, germany's same as france, or usa?
Except at that ONE store (not naming names but i think many germans know
😂🤣💀
i feel so awkward when they say the amount and im sill packing ;-; mi..mitte karte bitte
Also: cashiers in most, if not all European countries are allowed to sit down and actually have a chair. It's so normal to me (I live in the Netherlands), and when I learned that they have to stand up the entire time in the USA I was shocked.
The worst part is that standing still for so long on those hard floors can actually cause medical issues too. They are literally hurting people for "image."
I have no clue why they can't sit other than to look like they're always ready to come run and help 😂
Though usually older folks or those with disabilities, at a good grocery store, will let them have a swivel chair to sit in
@@whatsthekeytothekeykat I think it's because people consider it "lazy" and rude towards the customers (who are standing, so the cashiers should stand as well apparently) :/
Usa is a third world country....
how nice!
In Spain you’ll get called “love”, darling, sweetheart, handsome, my king, my queen, etc. and I love it
Loathe it, it's so insincere ... "guapa" " hija". Can't stand it in English either "love" "darling" etc. especially when their eyes and facial expressions don't match the love language 😅
Y todo eso sin la necesidad de fingir que la vida de la otra persona te importa. Educación sin ser entrometido, and I think that's beautifull
Querida / carinõ lol
@@saorisaya3329hay gente muy amargada en este mundo
❤❤❤😂😂😂
If you lived in Brazil, there was a chance of you ending up invited to the birthday party at the end of the conversation.
😂❤
I love that, like in Egypt 😂.
that sounds horrible. i dont need new friends so shutup n do your job.
This is so true😂
I have brazilian neighbours and i fully believe this
I love how the green screen makes it seem like you’re just grabbing endless cans from the ether
Just like a real grocery store 😮
It's like when you can't find something then your mom comes to look for it😂
@BamaMophi It's wild how quickly that changes when the trucks stop showing up. I worked as a manager at Walmart during the pandemic and the hurricanes that happened in our area, and just missing 2-3 trucks damn near emptied some of our shelves. I remember calling the meat and produce distribution center, and them telling me almost half of their drivers were out either sick or taking care of sick family. We had one day where our fresh meat was 99% empty, so we had to get an emergency frozen food truck just to at least have frozen meat bc we almost emptied our freezers in 24 hours.
@@gwynnethweinrich2612 Right? I always HATED that. MY room was an "organized" mess and I knew where everything was but my mon STILL could find things that I "lost".
The grocery store at the end of the universe
retail worker, that switch in the "hey, Justin!" is 1000% accurate
Damnit Justin, we know you're just talking over there.
As someone who worked as a cashier for years:
"F*** Justin"
"Justin get off you phone, Carrie isn't interested"
It just accentuates the fact that they are forced to be cheery and conversational with the customer, even when they would rather just do the work and get to their kid's birthday.
Facts! I was a bagboy when I was 18 at a major supermarket in SoCal and the female cashiers were ALL bitches! Thank God I quit after almost a month!
HEY JUSTIN -- most accurate line in the video fr
As a French person, a cashier telling me anything unrelated to the transaction and basic politeness would trigger a fight or flight response.
As an a English person I agree.
As a german, I know which of these it would be...
What a fun age
Second French person here. Absolutely correct. This is a nightmarish situation. Please don’t talk to me.
I'm American and same 😆 It stresses me out, I need to leave this country
That shift in tone from the Customer Service voice to normal when calling for Justin 🤣🤣
👺🤬 JUSTIN! 🤬👺
Yup
Wasn't the French example so much more peaceful, efficient, and sincere.....
We all know a Justin. That kid who is always missing when it's time to work. Off playing on his phone or pretending to work while gooding around. You gotta yell "JUSTIN" like that to get his attention.
I pictured Justin Bieber movimg grocery bags around with a swagger.
The funniest part to me is her reaching into the fourth dimension to get each of the groceries.
They don't do that where you live?
I had to bag my own groceries and rarely had a warm welcome or a thank you from the cashiers in both England & France.
You're there to get food. Not have a friendly chat. If you want that, just go to a pub. @@KitKat_2007
Underrated comment!!! I laughed so hard I cried.
Not just that. She's grabbing them from across her register, instead of parallel to it.
My family are romanian immigrants to France and I remember one time we were at a grocery store in Southern France and the clerk asked us where we were from in english, I told him we're romanian and then the next time we were there he greeted us in romanian which he'd clearly just learned, it was incredibly sweet and certainly made us feel less out of place having only been there for a couple of weeks.
Desigur, beh ouais, c'est le Southern France.🤷🏻♀️
@@micky112007 Southern France, Southern US. Much nicer than the northern or the main/metro, it sounds like.
They should do a "cashiers in New York City vs. America"
"Yo, Lashika, I need tha key!......Well, ah axed you twice!"
@@d.a.tsun5104 I think they are lying about the south USA. South is fake nice. Those people are so back handed. Everything is them making fun of you. Not a good intention around. It's like they look for blackmail. North Mid Westerners are the "ope sorry" folk. The East Coast is just blunt and doesn't waste your time. Would you rather deal with "honest" and fast or slow and two faced? I never went west... but I think they can be entitled? From the people I meet.
@@RaptorFromWeegeeyou mean North America or South America? Those are continents. Or the country United States of America? They are different things.
In general in The Netherlands it’s like in France but one supermarket chain now has dedicated slow checkout desks, where you can go if you want to chat with the cashier. They did it to combat loneliness, especially among the elderly.
Lots of elderly people in my area. We have the 'klets-kassa' for people who like to see a friendly face.
Thats a damn shame
I love that! We should have that in Canada
That’s honestly sad 😢
Lmfaooo
The France one was an introvert’s dream come true.
in the US if you want to aviod contact you use the self checkout. So much nicer because you don't have to deal with anyone at all and can bag your things how you want.
Not really, they're actually extroverted in comparison to Germany :D But so much more polite
In Uruguay we have this AND the self checkout option if you don't even want to hear the price
Exatamente. Sem essa felicidade tóxica neoliberal
Trust me, thats an introvert nightmare, 'cause person behind you will be impatient
French impression - 10/10 - totally love it - I hate smalltalk.
You can always be friendly by smiling and telling them to have a good day, which is enough
They’re total strangers that won’t see each other ever again, why ask all these
questions if you’re not interested anyway, there’s no point.
I’m not total strangers with the clerks at my local grocery stores. They know me and I know them. Maybe if you are in a huge city and you shop a bunch of different stores outside your neighborhood….but even then, when I lived in Tokyo the clerks their knew and when I moved back to the USA and visited three years later, and with two new babies in tow, they remembered me. I loved that. ❤
I'm French and I went to the USA last Fall. I was left flabbergasted by the friendliness of people. The cashier told me "God Bless You".
Oooooo la religion en publique!!!!!! Ça se fait pas! Vous avez survécu néanmoins ?
@@jillybe1873 bah en fait j'ai trouvé ça plutôt sympa 😅
@@bayo-rinn ce que je trouve dingue c est que le"god bless you" peut tres bien etre dit apres une engueulade!
Did you visit the south by chance?
@@kendra.s😂😂😂😂 My thoughts exactly.
I work as a cashier in America, And have for 10 years. We are all human.. some people don't talk. Theres a difference between not talking and completely ignoring the cashier. Being a cashier is hard mentally. We get so many types of people in our lines.. it can be hard when one customer is super happy and the next won't look you in the eyes. All I'm trying to say is please be kind even if you don't want to talk.
Just wanted to comment that some of us are autistic but don't look like it so we struggle with social interactions and also shopping is exhausting and the checkout is a lot to do and talking is extra distraction. I like all cashiers and never mean to be rude. Hope that helps.
Try being a server😅
@@jenergy1000 real!
I'm a cashier at Target. So many different kinds of people. Now I don't want to talk to them anymore unless I have to. Half-smile, bag as fast as I can, and get them out. 🤷♀️
@@Suzanne1999I go to target sometimes JUST to fight this type of attitude bc it destroys the social fabric of our great nation
I will love you regardless if you don’t like me, that’s your choice not mine haha!!
You are in fact getting paid to be appreciated so there’s no sympathy from me Suzanne ❤
I'm in Northern Germany. It's "Moin" and "Moin" and then "bep-bep-bep-bep-bep" - "Need a receipt?" - "No, thanks" - "Bye" - "Bye".
No small talk. I love it.
Mit karte.
"Mit Karte bitte"
I wish it were the same in 🇨🇦
Yeah that was kind of slow from my experience of France too.
That sounds awesome
I always feel so much better when I‘m in America! Thank you Americans for being always so friendly❤
As someone who used to work as a cashier myself, I can tell you that being this friendly to customers is exhausting. If it were a couple of times a day of chit-chat it'd be fine, but make it 80 times and it quickly gets old.
I had laughed so hard at the french depiction, because that's me a few hours into my shift
I mean I used to be a cashier and interacting with customers was by far the best part of the day. Its the rest of it that was exhausting.
I'm a cashier at a grocery store and I usually have over 200 customers a day.
You will scan my items and do as you are told🫵do not talk to me and for God sakes do not look at me. Now scan flunky.
You say this like it’s an absolute when really it’s just a personality trait. I worked as a cashier and other customer-facing jobs and this was my favorite part of the job!
“ 🗣 HEY JUSTIN ‼️🗣”
What?
There’s always a Justin. And he’s always the go-to guy.
@@RealGalaxyGamers Please, stay away.
😅😅 the way she changed her voice. Like Paris Hilton
Its called brainrot @@user-pt-67066G
Last Thanksgiving, the sweet old lady cashier at my local grocery store gave me some tips on making my first turkey and hyped me up so much - "I know it's going to be wonderful", "you're going to do great!"
Came back in after Thanksgiving and she asked about my turkey, and I showed her photos. She was so proud. She's like my grocery store mom - such a sweet lady.
🤭🤣🙌✌🙏🦃
Nuce to here a pleasant story!
I think we all need a grocery store mom in our lives, to be honest.
That's so wholesome! Bless that lady for cheering you on and props to you for cooking your first turkey!
I once told an anxious first turkey maker "Don't let that buzzard get the best of you, you got this." He posted pics on the book of faces and was so proud.
So true- well I lived in Germany, but this is one of my favorite things about America. Simply going outside makes you happy because there are so many friendly smiles and conversations here and there throughout your day
People act fake in the US. They smile to your face and then talk shit behind your back. America is superficial. At least in Europe you know what you get.
This silence is absolute heaven!
As an American in France I'm thrilled not to have to talk to anybody lol
I lived in Paris 26 years! I only met my same floor neighbor after living 4 years in the building! One thing I trully loved in France is to cross the street to the opposite sidewalk not to have to say hello to people! Selon moi, c'est une excellente preuve de civilization! On s'en occupe pas de la vie d'autrui! Et encore mieux...on n'accorde guère l'occasion de s'en occuper de la notre! 🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️🇨🇵❤️
Yes I would love it the chatty Pattie’s would lose their mind lol
@@louismz1046 Well, if you're *that* misanthropic, you've provided your fellow citizens with a great service by avoiding them.
@@marthajean50 not misanthropic, I actually like people. I just dislike being actively social with strangers
@@OatmealTheCrazy Oh, right, I understand. I was just thinking about the fact that not all unkindness to people is about what we DO -- that some of it can be from what we DON'T do. I'm not sure how that idea fits in with it. I'll have to do my usual overthinking on this. 🤔
Introvert in France: I see this as an absolute win!
I'm an introvert, but I still appreciate friendly customer service. A simple smile from a stranger is enough to make my day.
@@thelemurofmadagascar9183same 🫶
@@thelemurofmadagascar9183 Ditto.
@@thelemurofmadagascar9183 but it's a fake and forced smile because their boss tells them they have to. When really they're probably close to cussing at every annoying customer lol. I love a random smile with a stranger when we both see something funny happen or something. But a smile from someone that isn't genuine and only because they're paid for it makes me uncomfortable. Like I'm in a play with them haha
@eevee2411
I agree 100 percent. There's too much compulsory fake smiling in the U.S. One of the things I liked about France( and other European countries) is that they don't smile at strangers. Some Americans interpret this as rudeness, however.
P.S. I'm American, and am frequently taken to task for not smiling enough. 😠
Last week at Publix I had an interesting conversation with the cashier about their pet lizard. He walks it on a leash to get some sun.😅
Publix is the best!! BEST HOT & COLD SUBS! BEST DELI & BAKERY! I wish they were cheaper, but quality & cleanliness is expensive sometimes. I just wish the Hunters Creek Orlando Publix would get rid of the goat soap display. The "Dragon" aroma soap stinks up the store so bad. 🤢😷🤧🫢😬😪🥴😵💫😤
This is what I like to hear.
Between mentioning Publix & a pet lizard I'm going to guess you're from FL. Greetings from Tampa!
I moss publix! I used to be a cashier there and met my husband who worked in the deli!
@@paddybazin9066 Tampa area here as well :) Love Publix customer service
I live in Poland and its just like in France with this and as a huge introvert I couldn't be happier
Haha! As a Scandinavian I’m secretly freaking out just watching the US scenario! 😅
As an American I'm also freaking out, and I've had to live here all 34 years of my entire life. I desperately want out of this crap. But I have no choice other than to be here :) Consider yourself lucky that this isn't a daily interaction that you have to deal with :)
"Haha!"
As a southern American, I can't imagine a world where people don't acknowledge one another! That's not an insult or anything, it's just weird to me to have another person right in front of you without a few pleasantries.
As a cashier in Europe, we can acknowledge you with a "Good day" and "Goodbye" Anything other than that is exhausting for someone that is working a lot of hours and on top of that has a lot of curious, chatty customers. It's maybe fine for an extrovert but for an introvert that's like working two jobs if you have to make small talk with everyone.
@@NymphaeAvernales I'm Greek and we do pleasantries a lot, but I don't find it necessary and I don't feel bad for not talking to the person next to me. A simple Hi and Bye suffice.
As someone outside of America who works in a store, my American customers are the kindest. They are always very grateful and always smile.
And the always don't mean it.
Who cares? It's pleasant. I'd rather deal with insincere pleasantries than a jerk. @@Bamboule05
You’re falling for their fake friendliness :)
@@klamin_originalbetter than to be rude.
@@Bamboule05there’s nothing wrong with being kind even when you don’t feel like it?
A lot of cashiers in germany are stunned if you´re a friendly customer smiling and wishing them a nice day
Really? Where do you live, Berlin? Hamburg?
All the cashiers at the supermarkets I go to here in Germany are friendly, of course some are more talkative than others.
@@Katharina14031982 i did not say that they are unfriendly, they are not used to friendly customers anymore.
I have been to Lidl in Duisburg & while not " as chatty" by American standard, they were very nice, especially when I said, thank u, in German! 😇🍞🧀🍗
I bet that's one way they know you are a tourist (besides how you are dressed).
Over here in Germany it's the same. But very appreciated. We aren't built for having smalltalk with strangers. Either we are really interested in the other person's day, or we aren't.
Yeah, wouldn't want to be caught being human and talking to the peasants who work at grocery stores right? Fucking weirdos
As an Indonesian living in Germany, same.
It felt weird to make a small talk with a literal stranger who you're just see for a few minutes and then forgot all about them.
This is actually why Walmart failed in Europe. The idiot American tasked to enter the German market made the employees behave like Americans in this video and after traumatizing Germans, they never came back again and the chain closed everything due to low attendance.
i hate the fake nice, when we are nice it means something
Samebhere in Sweden 😅
Meanwhile, lidl and aldi workers are scanning at the speed of light and depending on if you get a friendly one, having a full conversation while doing it 😂
Aldi US workers will absolutely scan at top speed and still have an entire conversation 🤣
Edeka is even worse
Very true! The Lidl's where I shop (in US) has the friendliest, chattiest staff, ever.😊
Germany and US grocery stores had a baby.
I was a grocery store cashier - highest scanning ratio and customer satisfaction in the store. You figure out quickly who wants to talk and who doesn't, but everyone likes fast.
I’ve found that these interactions vary pretty significantly in the US depending on the region you’re in. In the northeast my experience is usually similar to how France is depicted here. After living most of my life in the south it took me a while to get used to cashiers in NYC not acknowledging my existence.
Right! From the south we talk to everyone. We went out west. And I kid you not. People looked at me like I was gonna rob them because I said hi how are yall when I walked by someone. Lol.
Midwest is in the house!
too many people for that shit here and when someone talks to you it's usually because they want something. Not to mention all the 3rd world immigrants here, so speaking English isn't always an option. It's a fake, self-centered cesspool here.
yea most places in the usa people avoid human contact at all costs
I’ve always lived in the south and it seems the trend now is 20 year old on their phone who believes you are annoying them by utilizing the checkout line
Ok this one is spot on accurate. The cold you feel at this moment is truly chilling.
Whatever you do, don't cheer up France.
“😊I could have one of our associates help you take this to your car!…hEy, JUsTiN!👹”
the infamous customer service voice switch😭😭
I visited Paris twice when I was a teenager with my grandparents and there was a grocery store right around the corner from our hotel room that my brother and I would stop in and get Fanta and strange candies to try and the checkout lady heard my brother and I speaking english to each other before we got to the front of the line. She spoke english as well, but I didn't know that so when I got to the front of the line, I started to try my best to speak the very little french I knew and she was so sweet, she corrected me in english and asked me to pronounce it again so I could work on my French. She was so helpful. It was one of the best interactions I had there because you always hear the French hate when tourists can't speak French. I think if you are trying, that's all that matters to them.
You're exactly right. What the French dislike is when a tourist comes up to them to ask directions (as an example) and starts trying to speak English immediately without even trying for a greeting in French. Just saying "Bonjour Madame/monsieur" before asking any question will get them in a much more receptive frame of mind. And if you can keep talking in French even if it's just pointing at a map and saying "Moi veux là (Me wants there)" they will be much happier than if you assume they speak English. The language is an important part of the culture, and any attempt at it makes them feel like the person is genuinely interested in being in France, not just here because the famous thing they've seen picture of happens to be in the country. It makes them feel seen instead of part of the show, if that makes sense.
@@anivijudi Yeah and then the same French people when abroad not only can´t speak a word of the local language, but can´t even speak English and mix in French. I work as a cashier in Norway and French tourists are by far the worst in this regard ahaha!
I took two years of French - I try. My teacher wasn't very good at teaching. Germans are the same way, if they hear you trying to speak German they'll automatically switch to English, I'm like thanks but no thanks.
Agreed
@@heatheranderson3323 A friend who speaks fluent French (he's a translator) regularly suffers this if a shop worker or so on hears him talking in English with his social group. He has to politely keep speaking French until they stop trying to talk to him in English - to be fair, they might be trying to work on their English as well, so you never know.
I worked in a Wisconsin grocery store as teenager. We were open a half day on thanksgiving morning and I got at least three offers in four hours to join families for dinner. Everyone was very concerned I might have nowhere to go.
It's actually like this all over Europe an introvert's paradise 😅
My mom is French and the last time i visited with her she literally told me that i smile at people in the street too much
LOL
Don't smile at people. It's creepy.
A German friend of mine was visiting me in the USA and she said, "oh, I forgot how you have to smile at everyone you see and ask them how they are here." It made me laugh. Like wow, what a burden! LOL!
@LaoSoftware And that is what's wrong with people today.
Yah, many people Europeans are off put by this mannerism in North America and think people are trying to get something from them.
But when they settle down and lean into it they find that it actually lifts their mood!
I moved to Utah a couple of years ago and the grocery checker invited me to her bbq that weekend after she found out that I just moved around the area. LoL
Omg I'm jealous... people in the south/west seem so warm
Yeah Utah is so kind ☺️
not trying to rain on any parades, just want a vibe check; would this scenario be uncomfortable for anyone else? I am autistic, so that could easily be a factor.
but for me it's a bit too overly familliar. going to people's houses is a hard no for me if I don't already know them decently well, and idk if this is common or really weird of me. I am happy it makes yall feel warm and included, though. I understand the intent when I get invites like that, I always feel really bad when I turn them down bc I know they're being nice and want to get to know me, but I'd realistically be anxious the whole time and generally not be fun to be around. I tend to say things like "maybe next time" just so they know I'm not 100% shutting down the idea permanently
@@DemraSynfata the nice thing about being invited somewhere when you don't know the person is that you can say no to them, or if you wanna be polite you could say not this time. No one is expecting you to agree to go and I guarantee you're not hurting anyone's feelings.
@@DemraSynfata nah bro it's chill some people just don't wanna be friends w someone instantly, I prolly wouldn't either, but I love when they ask it makes me feel so included. But yeah dont feel bad 4 rejecting lol
This is why Walmart failed in europe. Here in Portugal, you won't have your items bagged... its not the cashiers work and they don't get paid enough anyways
I live in Sweden and would be mad if someone even thought of touching my items after they've been scanned! Putting them in a bag? I would never ever go back to that store. Now I go to the type of stores where you can scan the items yourself. Don't know if there's a specific English word for them.
@@WahidahCherazade self check out or automatic check out
I live in Maryland (US) and I'm pretty sure the local grocery store clerks would be confused if they had to actually bag things. Everyone bags their own stuff from what I've seen, but then almost everyone brings their own bags anyways.
That's funny because Walmart just added more self checkouts and less cashiers and everyone is angry because they want a person to scan and bag their stuff😅
@@emnis368 Haha! Things really can be different depending on where you live. I know that many here in Sweden appreciate to not be "forced" to talk to anyone while shopping. On the other hand, you know the meme with "waiting for the bus like a Swede" where people stand in a line with a lot(!) of space between them? That's pretty accurate :D (We do talk a lot as well, but don't when it's not necessary)
I used to be shy but working customer service allowed me to become the outgoing person I was alwyas meant to be. I am so thankful for the GENUINE and kind customer service here in the US. When I worked at Target and asked how your day was you best believe I actually care
I’m Canadian and I think the awkward silence would kill me, I always end up learning enough about the cashier to successfully access their bank accounts man!
Lol
😂 Canadian expat of 36 years (since I was 20) in Europe (France and Belgium mainly), apart from some exceptions, I absolutely confirm this.
I'm originally from Cape Breton Island, NS and this is something I have NEVER gotten used to.
Most (not all), Europeans have zero personality in these situations, sadly.
@@Canuckbelgogo to a small village for this type of interaction where everyone knows eachother. In the City people do not care and will not pretend to care like in North America.
@@Syntax.error. We're not pretending to care. We're actually friendly human beings who enjoy talking to each other.
@@Syntax.error. I live in a VERY small village south of Charleroi hun.
I've lived in both France (my first year) and then the next... 35 years in rural Belgium.
I married and raised children here - lived all of my adult life here.
The most "hilaruous" is that most people here who are honest... say the same thing.
Last year my french kids visited the US for the first time with my american husband and me. I remember my son asking my husband all the time "do you know her?" because of how friendly every cashier was 😂
Lol
It's just Americans in general.
We're a friendly people.
Part of me is hoping your husband said yes every time.
I'm from Philadelphia. When my grandparents took me to their hometown in Appalachia, I asked them if they knew the super friendly cashier and the answer was, "Course we do, that's your second cousin Tammy."
This is one of the reasons why Walmart failed in Germany, people were creeped out by the overly chatty and artificially polite staff.
Not counting other factors like Walmart not understanding the economy of Germany, shopping habits of Germans and having trouble adjusting to employee protections and worker unions in Germany.
What you call artificial politeness we call customer service. If when people go into your store and it's all sad faces looking like they hate life, the odds are low of the customer returning.
@@lorenzowashington5546 I go to a store to buy stuff and leave not to chat and waste my time. If you want to chat go see your friends.
@@lorenzowashington5546 for small shops maybe, for supermarkets?
Hell no, we germans don´t go to supermarkets to talk to ppl, we go there to get groceries and be gone again, the less you bother us, the happier we and the staff are.
@@lorenzowashington5546 so none of the stores in germany have returning customers according to that logic. yet somehow, wallmart couldn't make it..
We know Germans are a cheerful lot😅
depressing thing is, cashiers in USA would be paid 15% more than french ones but cost of life is double.
Honestly I love when Trader Joe’s cashiers tell me I’ve made good snack selections and how they’re feeling today
Same. They give wonderful suggestions too. "Did you see this or that. I used this for whatever recipe" I'm in Texas, so we're extra friendly. I was in customer service for 15ish years, give me all the conversation. I'll do the damn surveys too! 🤣 🤣
Trader Joe’s is in a league of its own. Every time I shop there I sound like I’m filming a propaganda commercial for it.
@@Sheabuttertendit’s hard not too!! Maybe one day I’ll find another joy comparable to how I feel when there’s a new Trader Joe’s candle scent
I'm in northern BC and I chit chat with my customers if they want, tell them if I have tried something they're buying and like it, give dinner ideas or cooking instructions if asked. If they seem to want quiet I give them that. I couldn't imagine spending an entire shift in that social void. My younger son (17) went to Paris on a group trip and enjoyed the experience, from the Romany street hawkers to the employee at the arcade with a bulk candy store and of course teasing his travel group with threats of hitting the pool in Speedos. The Cathedral and Eiffel tower made less of an impact on him than the people.
Trader Joe's is the only American grocery outlet with a soul
In Mexico, we're similar to Americans in this situation too!! 😂😂 However, the small talk would be different. In the American way, it feels more customer service-oriented, but in Mexico, the conversation would be more gossip-oriented, like talking about a current scandal or complaining about things like prices, weather, the government, etc.
No wonder I loved Mexico.
In Spain, too!
Going to the grocery store to gossip sounds hilarious 😊
That sounds like fun! I'm from Canada. We're more like the US, but less personal. It might depend on the area.
I used to go to Mexico a lot for work. I always enjoyed going.
People actually speak that much at the cash register in the US?! Sounds utterly exhausting on both sides!
Midwest here. Yes, it is exhausting unless you are someone who likes pointless banter.
I have been a cashier. I'm not interested in striking up a convo unless it's about the stuff you are buying. You don't care about my day; I know this. Let's not pretend.
If the customer doesn't join the conversation, then they stop.
Sometimes, the customer tries to talk and the cashier doesn't want to.
This is quite common in the South. It is all about the hospitality.
It can happen but not all the time.
I’ve noticed a weird shift lately at my local grocery store where cashiers and baggers will try to have conversations with you and ask you why you picked out this blue canvas bag at a random store three years ago. It’s made shopping frustrating. I’d go to the self-checkout, but they’ve closed them all due to “retail theft”.
I live in france and the Guy that works in the grocery store is the nicest and most positive person i have ever met
sometimes her in england you get someone who scans your shopping so fast it gets home before you do,
😂😂😂
although other times they take so long that you might as well buy a birthday cake too cause your going to be celebrating it inline.
😂
Lidl vs Co Op
😂
Its almost like people are different every day wow smarty 😂🙄
@@sugarblunt
☝️
people who don't get satire on real life events.
smarty 😂🙄.
In Brazil, we make friends everytime we go to the supermarket. 🤣❤🌞🇧🇷
Really? That's too forward and extrovert for my liking! Northern European here. If you go to the supermarket in the UK, hoping to make friends..... you'll be disappointed. People will just think you're abit weird!! And abit too eager/desperate/in yer face.
Cashiers are polite, but don't expect to get invited to a family party, even if you have a good conversation with them while packing - it ain't gonna happen! We're too reserved for that.
People are probably happier in Brazil.
@@robtyman4281 People in Brazil are just more relaxed in general, specially on the beaches , like Rio de Janeiro: a lot of Sun, a lot of drinks and everybody laughing and talking all the same time. Latin America is way more extrovert, Europeans and Americans in Brazil are knowing as cold. No offense.
Same in India.
Same in South Africa
I was so overwhelmed in the US with everyone being so excited and chatty and so much use of the words "Amazing".. "Fantastic".. "Exciting".. "Incredible".. I used to think it was fiction for effect in the movies.. I couldn't believe that people were actually that way
This is only a beginner level of American banter at the checkout. For an advanced level of American banter, try a Midwest US checkout.
Agreed, I am a introvert by American standards and even I will banter with the clerk if they engage. I also hate self checkouts since I see it as a store that is already price gouging me trying to get me to bag my own stuff.
Yep we are that way. 😁
Yeah, we Americans can be enthusiastic, it's kind of encouraged throughout our lives, as is being social with even strangers, so we end up doing that. Even if we're introverts, (Like me) we often still beave that way if engaged, just because it's so normal. I honestly don't even realize that about us until someone from outside America mentions it, because I'm used to it.
Some of us can also be rather friendly because we want to make people feel a little happier than when we met them. 😊
We kinda have to be or we’ll get in trouble for not giving good,happy, friendly service
I live in America, and always make sure to help bag my own groceries when it’s extra busy and they’re always grateful. I usually let them bag my groceries when it isn’t busy because the store I frequent often hires disabled folks for the bagging position and they take great pride in doing their job so I will only step in when the store is short staffed but the cashier always seems to appreciate me helping out anyway. As someone who also has a disability I understand the pride they take in their work. So much love for grocery store workers because most of us literally depend on them to survive (as in most people aren’t really growing enough to food to not purchase from grocery stores at all)
I am French and I always smile and say jokes to cashiers, they generally really like having a customer who isn't rude or plain miserable. Doesn't have to be the way you portray it. Spread the love! Everyone wants some love.
Exactly
yep same for me. as long as you stay polite and don't insult them ,talk with a smile and say hello first , you can chat with the cashier just fine. even more if you don't have a line waiting after you.
I was a cashier in France when I was a student and I was very surprised at the amount of people who would engage in small talks, asking me about my life, my studies , if I had read the book they were buying. I as a client never, ever would have thought of having a conversation with a cashier. It was funny , I liked that job and I was quite good at it, I even had to pack the bags in that retail store, I was so smooth sliping those books in the plastic bags. lol.
In Brazil we are just like US. We talk...A LOT! 😂😂😂😂
I would love to Visit Brazil 😊❤ I think you would like to visit India too. Everyone here is very Friendly.
Yeah and every girl gets boob job ) so every women in Brazil is DD ,
Brazil is now on my list of places I would like to travel to!
I know, I've a Brazilian colleague and he's very friendly but just can't stop talking
I moved to Portugal last year. The Portuguese are like the French (as shown in this video). But Brazilian workers (at least here) talk among themselves (rather than with customers) and hardly concentrate on the work. Any store or restaurants with Brazilian workers here are extremely slow and you just keep on waiting while you see them chatting in groups even if there are long queues and it gets frustrating sometimes. Very stark contrast in the work culture of Portuguese and Brazilians despite having a shared history for the last few centuries.
Yes I have observed this in the US and initially I was pleasantly surprised how chatty how friendly Americans are and loved it .they do small talks everywhere and are very friendly people
Those are probably the extroverted people. I’m an introvert and hate small talk with people I don’t know well enough. I’ve been told I’m friendly but as a cashier I just say the minimum and don’t chat with most customers. I can joke around with a few regulars.
We also have both friendly and rude customers.
i fucking hate it, its so fake and cringe. I dont want to be spoken to, i want to get my shit and go. Its not friendly its social pressure to spout stupid nonsense.
Exactly!! Not only inside US but Americans in other countries as well. Most fun-going, chatty and least judgemental people compared to any country.
@@nitintyagi2024Americans are not the most friendly ppl by a long shot, maybe if you compare it to French or even more unfriendly people but you walk in New York and try and greet someone they’ll look at you like you’re crazy for just saying hi
They are just trying to placate you so you won't shoot them.
I'd rather have a honest silence then a dishonest "friendly time".
As a midwestern in another country, i miss small talk. I moss just saying nice things to people like "oh, i love your bag" or " your hair looks great" to just random people. Its just nice to make someone happy.
In Europe we save our words for meaningful conversations
@@scheggehutgiving compliments is meaningful 🤷🏻♀️
@@scheggehutAnd that's why yall are miserable over there. 😂😂😂
That guy sounds like a real barrel of laughs at parties XD
@@scheggehut liar😭
In Italy, a quick trip to the local supermarket often turns into lively debates -buying groceries feels like joining a neighborhood club sometimes!
That...sounds terrible. Maybe italy needs to actually invest in clubs or rec centers if people are that desperate. I just want to grab groceries, not have an improptu city-council meet-up
@@Solonneysa good thing you don't actually have to participate. congrats on achieving control over your body and making your own social decisions! :D
Sounds good
My grandmother thought grocery stores were social clubs. My mom seems to somehow find people that she knows. Then she wonders why I don’t want to go out shopping with her. 😂
Yeah and the shopkeepers would be having a heated debate about Fascism VS Capitalism with the customers and then say "Bye see you tomorrow!"
"i'ts my daughters birthday"
*proceeds to pull cans out of thin air*
That awkward "merci beaucoup madame.. au-revoir!" at the end from the desperate American lady..😅😅😅😅😅
I remember experiencing this in Europe and I just sighed in relief every time… everyone has their comforts… 🤗
Come to rural France. The cashier from our little grocery store (Franprix) knows my son since he's born, i know her life's up and downs. I once forgot my wallet, i didn't had a car back then and she knew. The shop was about to close, I was the last customer, she just told her coworker she would be back in a second and she DROVE ME HOME with my groceries so i could grab my wallet and took me back to the closed store to pay. 🥺
Wow. Which city is this?
Wow, that was incredibly nice!
@@heythave in south of France, a little village near Béziers
@@CasualTS I know, right! It wasn't a long ride, but it was so kind I could have cried this day.
Wow, I thought she payed for your groceries and expected to get paid back later.
What a waste of time and afford.
I love when cashiers will tell me their plans, or when people ask me about myself. It’s really nice to just remember we’re all just going through life as people, doing different things. Rather than seeing each other as just “workers” and just “customers”
EXACTLY! People in the comments think the american one is “being fake”, no, we just genuinely want to know how other people are doing😂
I think I'm the complete opposite because I like it when they just bag and we just go. I mean of course they have to be friendly but I don't care for it chit chat when it comes to the customer service. I don't know why I've always been like that
In the queue behind you we wish you would just cut the chat and move on.
It's terribly tiring and fake
They must DESPISE their grocery store jobs in France!
France is literally heaven for me they way this describes it
I started crying first time I went grocery shopping in the US because the cashiers were so nice. I didn't have to carry my groceries out. It was so pleasant and noticeably easier for such a mundane thing.
And I cried one time when I was trying to be friendly and fast and had one a$$hole after another until an older German lady came through and after I checked her out she told me to always remember that my job was an important one and to be proud to do it as well as I was.
She inspired me to start my own retail customer service oriented business and I continued being friendly, helpful and proactive with customers. I wouldn't try to get blood from a stone if someone didn't seem to want to talk. I just read the room.
Where you from
Where was this bc that is NOT at all the norm! Are you disabled? Have more than 1 cart? Children with you? bc for an able bodied adult no grocery store will take the time to pay an employee to carry groceries out, that's not in their Job description and here in the US all corporate cares about is profit. this story must be from 1950 and a blizzard if a single able body female.
I studied abroad in Spain recently and one of the things I missed most about home was the friendly chatter of a midwestern mom checking me out at the grocery store. I think these small gestures of care is one of those things that make America beautiful.
I am American living in Andalucia for over 20 years and you can't shut these ppl up, jajaja😅
@@TheEmily1218 Jajajaja
I think it's one of those things that make the rest of the world wonder when did you start going nuts and why nobody noticed it before the January 6 Capitol attack
@@darioa.5381 Calling an impromptu unguided tour an 'attack' is hilarious. There was less news back in the day when terrorists actually set off a bomb in the Capitol building than about that fed psyop.
Employees friendliness in stores actually SHOCKED me my first months in the US. I couldn't believe how warm and welcoming they were. I'm french 😭
come to Brazil you will see what´s friendly
You know it's fake
Yea I’m a 29 year old American and I don’t like talking too much to cashiers so I use self checkout 😂 they are very nice though! Especially in the west side and mid west of America :)
I experienced that in Canada. It was totally unreal. It was really too much for me.
😂 I thought I must have done something wrong when I went grocery shopping in France 😂
My french dad in the States thought people were TOO friendly, he was like how could people possible care that much about my day or about what I'll be doing with it? 😂
I'm honestly happy both ways, talking or no talking 😊
Tbh that's something I hear a lot from people coming to the US, "How is/was your day" in most cases is just a simple greeting that you're mostly meant to just say "it's been good" too and continue on. It's weird even to me because if you actually explain your day a lot of people will think it's weird but are polite and wont cut you off.
@@noeasyshybayou can just say good lol
@@tonilloyd7734😂😂😂
As a cashier, I actually don't care at all about how your day has been. I won't ask unless I've been asked first. In which case my response is automatically "good, how are you" even if I'm literally crying.
I think it's weird how as service workers we have to be your best friend and therapist all day everyday while making minimum wage
@@noeasyshybayes😂 now I do respond with a long answer if 1. I’m annoyed by the question 2.just to make things more awkward.
I always feel that sharing a few words and a smile with a cashier makes their job go a little easier.
As a former cashier, that very much depends. I've had some super weird, awkward attempts at conversation. 😅
This isn't the 90s. Most kids working there can only talk to someone through a phone screen and get all weird with in-perpson conversation. They aren't called the lonely generation for nothing.
As a former cashier, this is true. I got a lot more out of my job than I anticipated, and it meant a lot when people were kind, took an interest in me, & even got me gifts!
As a former cashier, smiles did make my job go a little easier :)
I prefer to not talk to customers.
In Colombia you need to wait til the cashier finish the conversation with another.
En España igual, me desespero 😂
Same in brasil, there’s no latino experience that’s unique, we all the same 😂
They do that in the Philippines too. Super nice, but very slow lol. (Btw just traveled there, not from there)
@@PepaBotika Ohh no sabía cómo era en España, saludos 👋
LMFAOOOOOOOOOO THE SHOUTING FOR SOMEONE TO GET THE BAGS IS SO REAL i never use my customer voice w my coworkers😭
"HEY !JUSTIN"....is hilarious.🤣
I have watched 3 of your videos. They are spot on! I lived almost four years in France and can confirm all that you’ve depicted 🎉!
It was that "hey, Justin!" for me😂
Justine? That may been before the store employee's transition.
@@brianarbenz1329?
I worked at a public library for 31 years and I still sometimes miss my favorite, chatty regular patrons.
Library is as comparable to a grocery shop as an orange to a protractor
I love going to the library, the librarians are always so kind and do chat which is nice as long as there isn’t a long line lol
I LOVE LIBRARIANS.
@@MisterIncoga library and a grocery store have many similarities. People come in and shop/browse for what they want. They bring it to the counter and we check them out/ring them up. They can ask staff where to find the items their looking for. When there is a queue, you have to move fast to get as many people checked out as possible, calling for backup if needed. The main differences is libraries "sell" books while grocery stores sell food. Libraries are funded by donations, grants and taxes while a grocery store charges per item. Library items are reusable while grocery store items are single use.
Library worker here! Just yesterday I said about someone’s 4 year old “that’s the fun age” lol. I’m in a small neighborhood branch so I know all my regulars by name, can look them up without even scanning their cards
Ow j’adore la versión français ! No empty conversations needed ❤
That's one of the reasons I love America ❤
Small talk is my worst nightmare
Would you mind explaining why? 😂
Yes. Quit stressful
@@jdaze1as a French AND autistic person I just don’t know how to do small talk (people here don’t do it a lot but when they do it’s horrifying lol). If a cashier started telling me about her day I would just freeze not knowing what to do, that’s why I always use the automatic ones, that way I don’t have any kind of social interaction with a stranger
This is why I love Spain… they usually encourage you to speak Spanish, I understand basic Spanish and had a whole average conversation with the cashier and I slipped up with a sentence ever so slightly, her jaw dropped when she asked if I was english! It’s appreciated in most countries when you learn their language!
So why do you liberals expect us to learn the migrants language in the USA! You people are complete hypocrites.
I had multiple experiences in France that I think about. I froze with one woman. I think she was annoyed, but wasn't rude. The next time, I was practicing my limited French in my head the entire time i was shopping. I had a moment of panic when she asked a question the first time. When she repeated it the second, I answered. I was so happy I was beaming because I got it right. She laughed at me in the best way. The memory always makes me smile
In Spain we are like USA but we pack the groceries ourselfs and the cashier is FREAKING FAST
Yes , the cashiers are friendly if they know you ( I have been going to the same supermarket for 9 years ) and we talk , but we bag stuff very fast as we are at it.
In the U.S. they've gotten rid of most of them over the last 5 years or so.
Automated checking, almost everywhere you go (and of course, the machines malfunction often).
If you've ever been to Ireland...you can tell where Americans get it from! Also, what about southern Europe? The cold interactions are mainly in northern Europe.
Irish are the best!
And Canada. We bag our own groceries and hardly have any conversations.
Italy, if the cashier has conversations with you’re like “ehm do I know you?”
@@gregre99 I'm Italian, it depends on where you live, in the cities it's less likely to meet sociable cashiers, in the villages it's easier. In the north people are more reserved than in the south. I live in Poland now and here people don't talk or smile to strangers
You obviously haven’t been to Sicily! 😂
And it’s not “cold”, we just don’t do fake friendliness.
that's why the self-checkout counters are a big help for the introverts
Yes! I am not a fan of self check-out, but I prefer it to having to talk to a cashier.
Bagging the groceries yourself, that's basically my experience at Aldi. Good to know it's not just a Germany thing (or just an Aldi thing since I'm from the US).
One of the biggest culture shocks for me when moving overseas was the hairdresser who DID NOT TALK except to ask questions about my hair 😂 Edit: this was *my* particular experience, with my hairdresser who I went to for 2 years in Korea. I know that not every single hairdresser outside of the US is like this.
Where was this? In the Netherlands, and I was born and raised there, small talk with the cashier is also uncommon but at every hairdresser I've been to, there was effort to get conversation going. Sometimes too much to my taste, I don't always like to talk about myself. Then I learned the trick: ask about their life and you can have conversation without having to talk about yourself.
Well. it depends. Some do. Some don´t.
If you are a man, this is normal, cause the hairdressers smalltalk to woman, even in germany
You can talk to them and have smalltalk (if they reciprocate the smalltalk).
@@rainerwahnsinn9585 Well I'm a man, they smalltalk to me
I try to leave the cashier, server, etc happier than I found them. A compliment is painless, and usually always get a smile, in return.🤟💯💙
I prefer knowing that in the rare occasions someone is having that kind of a casual chat with me, they are genuine and not forced
Tell me about it! I was on the phone yesterday with Senior Services. The guy had this weird fake voice, sort of like "this is the voice I use with old people" He over pronounced and he had a totally unctuous sound to his voice. I couldn't get off the phone fast enough!
Ahh noo i know this voice from visiting doctors. Some treat you like you are a toddler
yall are adults and deserve the dignity and respect that comes with that, I'm sorry you were treated like that. I work in geriatric care and notice that I tend to have a customer service voice, however I avoid infantilizing the patient. I like to ask open ended questions like, "Does that work for you?", avoiding assumptions. Tbh pls lmk if there's anything I can improve on or should be aware of, I'm still young so I could easily have some blind spots. I can only hope I'll be treated well when it's my turn to be in your shoes
Why assume it’s not genuine? Cashiers want social interactions too. (Source: Was one. Loved most of my customers.)
It’s definitely genuine when I’m cashiering. It is a sort of code switch, and being perky and happy for hour can be exhausting, but I genuinely do care about the people I talk to and want to make them happy.
I love the Americans. They are very friendly and down to earth. Customer service in America is superb which makes my shopping much more pleasant.
It’s all fake though.
no one is friendly, theyre spitting in your soup behind your back because they never have a release for their emotions because they always have to fake caring about you just to get more money out of you when it comes to tips.
Its actually disgusting behaviour.
The german way is best. Speed of light scanning, a simple hello and bye if you feel like it, and you're out. Best interactions I have in my life, no unnecessary talks. Just pure efficiency. I love it.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I’m American, and I appreciate at least a Hello and a smile. The sound of the silence kind of suffocates me.
Your life is sad: only efficiency, no fun
@@Boozneos-h2xit's much more fun than pretending to care and pretending to be happy without actually wanting to have a meaningful human interaction, which seems to be the default seppo modus operandi
@@igorbednarski8048 you sound like Adrian Monk
@@igorbednarski8048 you are not edgar allan poe dawg. relax with yo emo ass.
American customer service is LEGENDARY! ❤ (it saddens me that most people don’t get paid enough and desperately needs tips but I have always felt very welcomed there as a tourist… random fact: the only other place I’ve experienced exceptional hospitality was Greece).
Only in shops though, service in restaurants is horrible and they expect a tip for not doing 💩
They probably get paid so little because they scan at half the speed whilst having a chat, so you need to employ twice as many to serve the same number of paying customers
fake conversations and forced dialogues is not 'legendary' customer service, its embarassing. These are grown adults doing a job, get your shit and go. I feel like you americans have convinced yourselves that the overworked person whos served 1000 other people that day really gives the slighest fuck about you or your life.
@@randommusic4567 the usa in general has poor workers rights too. Theyre working 40 hours minimum with their healthcare tied to their jobs so they have to adhere to their bosses demands thats where this fake friendly shit comes in, theyve done studies that show americans buy more shit when you dote on them like theyre children. If you tried to make a euro do this youd be like nah fuck that and if they had an issue you could go to the union or just go on benefits while you look for another job lol.
@@mayam518that is so not true. If you’re working for tips in a restaurant, you are going to be very hospitable. Don’t like it, don’t go out to eat in America
I think one of my favorite "how to spot an American" things is that we're weirdly friendly. It givea me hope that not only the worst of us get to travel.
A lack of effort to engage with a culture in a suitable way is not the sign of a good traveller.
@@KindredBrujah Are you saying that being very friendly isnt suitable or that people no being friendly isnt suitable? Reads either way and I wanna make sure I'm responding right. XD
@@DorksidertheGreat when people say "weirdly friendly" its because some American tourists come off as super nosy and shallow. Its like your small talk is so fake, you have these big smiles and loud voices but we all know we are never meeting each other again anyway. I guess you can call it overly polite (which isn't the same as friendly). If you are a genuine person then the small talk doesn't feel that way and being outgoing and extroverted is only a positive. I've met Americans of both kinds
@@denusklausen3685 I get that, I'm mainly talking about the more positive "weirdly friendly" ones. Even if we never meet again its nice to get to know folks, trade experiences and the joy of finding common ground even though we are whole countries apart. Folk being overly loud and nosy for the sake of "I met a native!" isnt ok by any standard. I'm sorry if anyone was rude or treated y'all like tourist attractions. Some of us just really like learning about folk for the sake of "aw, they seem so nice!"
@@denusklausen3685 You're just an ass.
I love the human touch. I love being able to connect with people in everyday life. If you don't want to talk, order online and stay at home. Otherwise, don't expect people in public to just conform to your needs. This whole "is it weird to talk to strangers in public?" thing needs to stop. I say, do it if you want to, and it's up to them if they want to be rude and ignore you.
I was really waiting for the France part. No wonder it lasted mere seconds to the end
I prefer the French approach to the American faux friendliness.
Well, of course...
@@valerietaylor9615Uhm no, it's better to be nice and happy than to be unfriendly, even if it's all fake
Americans buy multiple bags groceries all at once. French people tend to buy in smaller batches.
I prefer the friendliness even if it's fake. There are studies that say that if you smile even if you're not happy, it still affects your mood positively. Obviously, it's not good to overdo it, but your disposition can greatly affect your life.
This is coming from someone who's shy as fuck and can't maintain a conversation like the one in the video. I still prefer to interact with friendly people even if I can't match their energy
@@milantehrandubai Fake-nice grosses me out. I'd rather people stay absolutely stoic faced
lol this is just Europe in general
There might be a few more pleasantries at a British checkout but yeah, we are closer to the French mindset.
And no way would my mum trust somebody else to pack the bags for her. 😱🙂 No no no.
@@Nicho_Ldn I expected the French cashier to be smoking and a lot of shrugging.
@@Nicho_Ldn
I think the British have it figured out. Pleasantries and politeness, but no intense pressure to make stupid small talk like in America.
A cashier in Norway helped me to sort a database and correct at least two record errors.
I prefer the European approach, but Americans in general seem to prefer fake smiling and friendliness.
As a European cashier this is unbelivable accurate, I process a couple of hundred customers a day. I usually get annoyed if people are overly talkative, at the end of my shifts I am a husk and you're lucky if you even get a word out of me.
AI is coming for your job. 🤣
@@AnteaterOne More like selfcheck out cash registers at this point
I’m American, and I’ve never had a cashier like that. They’re usually a friendlier version of the French one.