TIHL #15 How To Use The Self-Checkout

I'll be the first to admit that I rather enjoy this new "self-checkout" phenomenon that is sweeping grocery stores across the country. Said system offers several advantages. First, a great number of people fear new technology, and ergo are hesitent to jump on this newfangled purchasing bandwagon. This creates shorter lines for those of us who are willing to go out on a limb, which makes everyone happier. Second, haven't you all had days when you just don't feel like making small talk with the cashiers as they weigh your tomatoes and swipe your credit card? Or times when you really wanted some things in paper bags and other things in plastic bags? Again, self-checkouts can make all these dreams come true. Third, don't you all have some eensy little part inside of you that really enjoys the satisfying "beep" as the bar code is dragged across that red laser line? Yes, self-checkouts also allow everyone to play cashier without actually having to work at a grocery store.

As I have recently discovered, there are also a few drawbacks to this checkout system. For example, my neighborhood grocery store is so small that if you hesitate for even one millisecond in the operation of the computer, a store employee immediately dashes over to offer assistance. (In my opinion, they should be more concerned about rushing to aid the people who are looking for margarita mix in the "Ethnic Foods" aisle--not that I've ever done that...) On a more serious note, the self-checkout may or may not have turned this formerly law-abiding citizen into somewhat of a thief. Before you call the proper authorities, allow me to explain the situation.

Since produce does not yet feature bar codes, one must weigh the produce and then select the particular fruit or vegetable from screen after screen of options. On this particular day, a friend and I had decided to make our nearly infamous fall dish (affectionately known as "apple whoops"), and there was no question that we needed to buy the best apples available. Whilst trying to select "Honeycrisp, $2.49 per lb" from the list of options, I inadvertently selected a cheaper variety of apple that was in fact only $1.23 per pound. Try as we might to fix our error, we could not find a way to undo our purchase of the inferior apples. Not wanting to hesitate and cause further ado, we just shoved our money in the machine, grabbed our partially pilfered apples, and left. I feel just a little guilty about the whole incident, but I'm sure they'll find a way to overcharge me for something else. Or, maybe next time I can buy the cheap apples and just say I bought the expensive ones? In the meantime, I urge you all to try your local self-checkouts. Just remember that if you hesitate, you may not get your apples accidentally on sale after all.