By politely asking them to put their purchases down on the counter. “Excuse me Sir/Ma’am, but would you mind if we began your transaction while we talked? I’m a little behind today and I apologize for that.” (Yes, I worked in retail for awhile, and yes, lonely people want to talk. Put it the right way and things will keep moving and no feelings are hurt.)
“Now art thou what thou art, by art as well as by nature, for this drivelling love is like a great natural that runs lolling up and down to hide his bauble in a hole” Romeo and Mercutio (and yup, a Bawdy Bard phallic joke.)
By politely asking them to put their purchases down on the counter. “Excuse me Sir/Ma’am, but would you mind if we began your transaction while we talked? I’m a little behind today and I apologize for that.” (Yes, I worked in retail for awhile, and yes, lonely people want to talk. Put it the right way and things will keep moving and no feelings are hurt.)