Self Check-Out

I had an epiphany a few years ago while checking out at the (American*) grocery store.

I think sometimes parents are to their children, what self checkout machines at stores are to adults. 😂

“PLACE YOUR ITEM IN THE BAG.”

“PLEASE SCAN YOUR ITEM.”

“PLEASE WAIT. HELP IS ON THE WAY.”

“AWAYS REMEMBER TO SCAN YOUR ITEM BEFORE PLACING IT IN THE BAGGING AREA.”

“GET ALL YOUR STUFF. OMG, WHAT IS TAKING YOU SO LONG. THERE ARE PEOPLE WAITING. NOW GET YOUR RECEIPT. COME ON, WE’RE IN A HURRY.” (ok, it doesn’t say that in those words but that’s definitely the vibe it puts off)

By the time I’m done using one, I’m a little flummoxed from the continual instructions. And embarrassed that people might be watching me mess everything up. And contrary to what the machine might believe, I’m not actually *trying* to do anything wrong, or to be “defiant” or “rebellious” or test its boundaries. And feeling like I could probably have figured the task out just fine if I had a few seconds to process without someone talking at me the whole time.

I mean, the analogy writes itself, right?

*Walmart self checkout machines are much more aggressive than any I've encountered in England or Australia. 😆