Real Life Adventures by Gary Wise and Lance Aldrich for February 11, 2013

It is frustrating to be behind someone writing a check. They could at least fill in all but the amount while standing in line.

Get with the program, Gramps!

And he waited until everything had been rung up before he started digging for the checkbook in his back pocket, and getting the wrong pocket. Then, didn’t have a pen. Then couldn’t find his ID. And misspelled the amount, so he had to do another check.

I use checks every now and then, but now the store I go to automatically fills in the information for me, so all I need is a signature. I haven’t been beat up in line since! :-)

Also, he was probably in the express line.

I gots a GOOD story ’bout that!

A check is no worse than the person who uses a debit card and has to search for it then fumbles the PIN, doesn’t pay attention to the card reader when the additional questions pop up such as “do you want cash back” and the customer has to be prompted by the cashier to put in the required information.

He should have paid attention to the sign.

I stood in line once behind someone who wrote a check for 49 cents………

Of course it was the express line, and I didn’t start filling it out until everything was rung up, and then I couldn’t find my ID. And they had to call over the manager. . .

The worst are the old ladies who not only wait until everything is rung up to fumble for their checkbook, but then write verrry slowly as if they were engraving each letter and numeral in hardened steel. But, cheer up! These aggravations are opportunities to grow in patience. And it also helps to remember that someday the old folks will be us!

He waited till it was all rung up, dug out his checkbook, peered at the amount suspiciously for a few moments, slowly wrote it out, messed up a number and had to take the check back to fix it and initial, tried to dig out his id which he couldn’t find so a manager had to be called, the check wouldn’t run so the checker had to use hand-key it in and use tricks to get it to take (rubbing it back and forth on the edge of the checkstand usually does it), and then insisted on refusing to take his receipt and go until he’d balanced his checkbook right there in the line. Even if only one of these things happen it’s annoying. Not just for the customer behind him, but for the checker who is standing there feeling self conscious and somehow guilty for the line being held up and knowing people are going to take their frustration out on them.

Back on the subject of waiting in line at the grocery store. How about the person who questions every price, has to go back and get the one that IS on sale, has a stack of coupons, has food stamps and everything has to be rang up seperately, or the one who is stockpilling for the winter.

I usually stop by the store on my way to work to get something for lunch. When I walk in there are 3 cashiers, all leaning back reading a magazine with nobody in line. I grab my 2 or 3 things, when I get back to the front there is only one cashier and five people in line in front of me. AHHHH!

Why on earth do people still use checks?

If they start charging a fee to just use your credit card, you might see people writing checks the old fashion way again. I sure ain’t carrying cash so I get beat up and robbed on the parking lot. With three kids in the store with me, I can’t remember if I am coming or going between breaking up the fights and dragging them off the displays, I sure can’t remember a pin number at check out. My brain is fried by the time I get there and I really need to be committed to in insanity home.

That’s right, I’m in a rush. I’ll be in an even bigger rush when I’m old, because there will be stuff I want to do before I die.

He totally had it coming!

Checks go faster than the people with their plastic cards at the store I patronise. It helps to have it mostly made out but for the amount before I leave home.