Some people really have no clue about technology. Even the most simple things confound them.
I was in my local branch of 'chav'DA yesterday evening after picking up my new gym membership card. I only had a few items in my basket so decided to use the self-checkout they recently introduced there. Now, I'm a veteran at these things - I use them whenever I can - at Tesco, Sainsbury etc. They save time, I don't have to talk to a surly checkout clerk who looks like they should still be in playschool and, I have to admit, it's kind of fun to play checkout girl for real.
But today, several people were obviously unclear on the concept. Honestly. Scan item, place in bag. Scan next item, place in bag. Lather, rinse, repeat. The computer even tells you what to do in a polite English accent.
That might be the problem. Maybe it should be a bit more forceful and say things like "point the barcode at the red-laser thingie you moron", in a really loud voice so everyone can hear you.
If you get it wrong three times, a siren should go off, and the screen should read "Sorry, it appears you are unable to correctly press a button in an elevator, let alone use our made-for-idiots software! Please jump under the nearest bus on your way out."
So after what seemed like an hour of rolling my eyes and 'tutting' under my breath (I'm so British now), it's my turn. I stroll confidently towards the checkout thinking, I'll show these technologically challenged people how it's done.
I scan my freshly made pizza - "Please scan your item BEOFRE you placed it in the bag". Ooops. Maybe I went too fast. I forgot the sort of clientelle they normally market towards in that shop. I scan it again and place it in the bag. Hurrah.
I scan in my Special K Red Berries. "Item not recognized". I try again. Same thing. Grrr. Luckily there's someone there running the whole thing and can bypass my till from hers. So she does....after every single item I scan. Of course, now I'm swearing under my breath, and then utter F*CK after the third time I try to swipe my Visa card.
What should have been a stress free checkout is now hell with everyone looking at me thinking I'm one of those people I mentioned earlier. But I'm in IT I think to myself...I know what to do - I could reprogramme these things to charge me a penny for everything I scan dammit.
I finally pay and get my receipt. I notice the self scan till two along from me is out of order. The screen is very clearly broken, and I don't mean a scratch or crack. The pattern of the breakage can only suggest someone got very fed up and slammed their tin of baked beans into it.
I know how they feel.
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