It’s no secret that customers can be rude to cashiers.
In fact, it seems to be happening more and more often.
But why do people act this way? Are they just having a bad day? Or is there something else going on?
In this article, we will explore 7 reasons to try and answer the question – Why are customers so rude to cashiers?
We hope that after reading this article, you will have a better understanding of why this happens and how to deal with it!
Why Are Customers So Rude To Cashiers?
Here are 7 (unjustifiable!) reasons why customers are so rude to cashiers:
- Customers feel entitled
- There are no consequences (to bad customer behavior)
- Customers think the cashier is slowing them down
- Customers are having a bad day and take it out on the cashier
- Customers may look down on the cashier
- Cashiers cannot fight back
- The cashier didn’t do what the customer wanted them to do
Let’s look closer at each of these reasons.
1. Customers feel they are entitled
We live in a business culture where we are constantly reminded that the “Customer is King”.
Well, guess what? We shouldn’t be surprised then if some customers start acting like kings.
Such customers feel they are entitled to be rude to cashiers. They reckon that the cashier doesn’t have any power or authority and that they can get away with being rude. And so they are.
2. There are no consequences (for bad customer behavior)
The reason many rude customers believe that there will be no consequences for their actions is simply because, most often, there are no consequences.
The cashier can’t do anything about the customer’s rude behavior and is likely just trying to do their job. The customer also doesn’t have to interact with the cashier after they’ve been rude, so there are no negative long-term consequences for them.
The cashier will try not to make a scene because their job will be on the line. And so, the customer can walk away scot-free with no consequences.
3. Customers think the cashier is slowing them down
We inhabit a world where everyone is in a hurry. We’re always on the go and we don’t have time for anything that’s not a priority.
So, when customers are at the grocery store and have to wait in line, they may feel like someone is trying to slow them down from getting their shopping done as quickly as possible.
And unfortunately, the person who often takes the brunt of a rude customer’s frustration and behavior is the cashier.
Cashiers often become the target of customers’ wrath because they’re seen as the person who is slowing the line down. But what many people don’t realize is that the cashier is simply doing their job the best they can. They’re not responsible for why there’s a long line, and they’re certainly not trying to make the process take longer than it has to.
4. Customers are having a bad day and take it out on the cashier
Sometimes customers are just having a bad day and can get irritated by something small. And they simply take their frustration out on the cashier.
The customer might be angry about something that has nothing to do with the cashier, but the cashier becomes their target. Whatever the reason, it’s not fair to the cashier to have to deal with the customer’s external problems.
5. Customers may look down on the cashier
Some customers can be arrogant and tend to look down upon someone doing a cashier’s job. This arrogance can lead them to believe that they can speak to the cashier in any way they want. They may also think that they are of different social status and are too good to be standing in line and waiting their turn.
This attitude can be very frustrating for a cashier, who is just trying to do their job. It can be especially insulting when the customer is rude or condescending.
6. Cashiers cannot fight back
Most cashiers are in temp jobs and, unfortunately, are replaceable. They know that.
Store managers know that too and so many don’t care about their cashiers and neither do many customers.
So, if a cashier is misfortunate enough to encounter a rude customer, they are in no position to fight back. How can a cashier fight back if their manager doesn’t have their back?
Cashiers are in precarious jobs and getting into a fight with a customer is a sure-shot way of getting fired.
And the irony is that rude customers know this, and they exploit this fact to misbehave with cashiers.
7. The cashier didn’t do what the customer wanted them to do
Another reason why a customer can be rude to a cashier is that the cashier didn’t do what the customer wanted them to do.
Sometimes, customers can have unreasonable expectations from a business and could ask for something that is impossible for the cashier to do.
For instance, the customer may ask for a discount on a product. But, cashiers aren’t empowered to give discounts!
The customer may ask the cashier to hurry up, but while manually scanning each article, the cashier can only go so fast.
Maybe the customer’s credit card was declined, and they asked the cashier to do something about it. But what can the cashier do?
There can be numerous such reasons, all of them completely unjustified, why a customer can be rude to a cashier for no fault of the cashier at all.
Summary
We hope this article helps shed some light on the question – Why are Customers So Rude to Cashiers?
We know that the vast majority of customers are polite to store staff. But it only takes a few bad apples to create an unhealthy work environment for a cashier.
A cashier doesn’t deserve this type of treatment and it’s important to be respectful when interacting with them.
If you’re a customer try to be polite and understanding with the cashier. Remember that they are just doing their job and aren’t responsible for the long line or the prices of the items in the store. Be patient and wait your turn, it will make the experience much more pleasant for everyone involved.
If you’re having a bad day, try to take it out on someone or something that isn’t the cashier. The cashier is just trying to do their job and doesn’t deserve to be treated poorly because of your mood. Be respectful to the people who are helping you, and try to have a good attitude.
If you are a cashier and you encounter a customer who is having a bad day, try to be understanding. Remember that it’s not your fault and do your best to help them through their transaction. Be polite and friendly, even if the customer is not being very nice to you. It can be difficult to deal with angry customers, but it’s important to stay calm and professional.
