Within one week, I went from a college student working as a cashier in a grocery store to an essential worker on the front line.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread, lines grew across the store to get a package of toilet paper. Customers were stocking up on chicken and canned goods, and there was not a grain of rice to be found.
Everyone shared the food craze in their eyes. However, I experienced some unique individuals that had similar reactions to the crisis.
Here are the five common customers I met during the pandemic:
1. The Extremely Grateful Ones
The moment this type of customer walks into the store, they thank every worker for showing up to their jobs. They thank the bagger wiping down the carts outside, the grocery clerks stocking shelves, and the customer service staff that are frantically answering the public’s concerns during these frightening times.
While ringing up a customer’s groceries, the man thanked my bagger and me for our service. It sounded a little silly at first, but we knew he meant well. I felt like I was a soldier fighting on the battlefield.
Typically, these types talk to me about how wonderful we are for risking our health and family’s health. My coworkers and I do appreciate the gratitude from our customers. It changes my whole mood for the rest of my shift.
2. The Ones with the Gas Masks
I have seen five or more people wearing gas masks and who have covered themselves from head to toe to prevent any skin exposure. It seems they stand 12 feet apart from everyone, as opposed to the required six feet.
One woman had me wipe down the whole register before she put her groceries on the belt. I also had to put on extra hand sanitizer for her peace of mind.
The most interesting shopping tactic happened when an older man brought a plastic tablecloth and taped it inside the shopping cart. I was impressed with his creativity.
3. The Ones with Lots of Questions
With the high demand for certain products, our store puts out the small shipments immediately and limits the quantity, so everyone has a chance to have paper products, meat, or sanitizer. Although most customers are understanding of the situation, there are some who are upset with the restricted availability.
One evening I was tidying up the cleaning supply aisle when an older woman asked me why we did not have any disinfectant wipes. I explained the situation about the small shipments and that we do not know when the next one will come in. She continued the discussion by asking why over and over. We got very deep into a conversation about manufacturers and supply and demand. I guess I never answered her question because she went up to the grocery clerk nearby and asked the same question.
I have seen many confused customers. A woman asked if we stopped stocking our shelves altogether. Unfortunately, our back room has been empty, except for soda and beer. At least we are not running low on these essential items.
4. The Generous Ones
Even though there have been customers putting their stress on the workers while shopping, there are some calm and happy people out there.
I was bagging for my coworker and we were discussing the new requirement to wear face masks to work. The woman we were serving was wearing a homemade mask. My cashier asked her about the comfort and if the mask was easy to breathe in.
Later that day, the same woman came back to the store with two masks each for my coworker and me. We offered to give her some cash, but she refused to take any money. She said she knew these times can be difficult for essential workers, and that she wanted to give us masks so we can keep ourselves safe.
5. The Laid-Back Ones
The last type is the laid-back customers. They do not wear masks, gloves, or follow the directional arrows along each isle. Some of these customers come into the store every day because they are bored and cannot go anywhere else.
Recently we installed Plexiglass at each register for extra protection. People are constantly knocking on the glass and making jokes about it.
One man licked the glass before paying for his groceries. This happened to my co-worker’s register, and she asked him nicely to wipe it down since she had a long line after him. The man cleaned it and apologized.
No matter what, there are nice and not-so-nice customers in the retail world. Thank the workers at your local grocery store. It may put a smile on their face.
Neapolitan Family intern Katie Loudermilk is majoring in journalism at Florida Gulf Coast University and is passionate about writing. Working in retail has been part of her life for the past six years. She hopes to one day become a successful writer and publish a book about working in retail.