The Self Scan Debate

 I know there has been a big debate about the whole self checkout thing. Many believe that it will eliminate jobs, and refuse to use it. I do not believe that this will be the case, at least not in my lifetime. 

For me, I prefer to use the self checkout when I do grocery shopping. I have a certain way that I want things bagged, and no matter what I do, the bagger or the cashier can't seem to do it to my standards. I try to politely explain what I want and even put my groceries on the belt in a way that makes it easier to bag, but it meets with lackluster success. To avoid the frustration of having to rebag everything after I have paid, I would rather do it by myself. By using the self scan, I can bag as I go along and relieve myself of that stress. Sadly, while the grocery store I shop at does have a self scan, it is limited to 20 items, which does not work if I am doing my usual shopping for 2 weeks worth of meals.

As to the whole elimination of jobs, I highly doubt that it will happen.  Self checkouts are machines and will still need to humans to deal with their idiosyncrasies.  I can not count the number of times that I actually use the self check out and have some glitch happen.  The scale doesn't read right, a price is wrong, the scanner happened to scan the item twice, the list is endless.  And when those errors happen, a human being has to come over to sign in and correct the error.  

I am also not fond of making the small talk with the cashier.  I work over 40 hours a week and honestly, I just want to get in, get what I need, and go home.  Also, I have worked retail over 10 years and the small talk is the most tedious.  You have to act like you care about what you are being told by the customer.

 Another thing about self checkouts is that it allows individuals that have neurodivergent issues to have that sense of independence without having the overwhelming anxiety of interacting with another person.  It does suck having any type of anxiety but when it is an extreme version, it can literally cause you to shut down completely.  It is important to have that independence, even in the smallest doses.  It does allow you to feel better about yourself.  

I see the pros and cons about having self checkouts.  I am not for having all self checkouts or having none.  I would prefer to give a good combination of each, properly manned so that people can get what they need.