Lidl

First off I have to say that I generally enjoy shopping at Lidl. I like the size of the store. There is almost always parking close to the door. The prices are good, the choice while limited in the number of brands is actually quite impressive for the store space available. I like the fresh bread. I like the deli choices. In a word I am a fan. But. My one gripe with Lidl, and it is a small one is that I often feel rushed at the checkout. I usually pay by debit card (they don’t take credit cards — ok so two gripes) and before the little LCD display has even had a chance indicate it the checkout clerk is nagging you to remove your card then staring at you impatiently while you try to complete the bagging task and put your card back in the wallet and take the receipt… If you are one of the «idiots» who can’t complete these tasks in the twenty nanoseconds that are apparently allotted the silent impassive glare is deafening and withering. I must assume that the staff themselves are under very strict time constraints/​penalties regarding customer processing time. Today I had my worst experience ever at a Supermarket when I dared to suggest that I did feel pressured at the checkout. (For the record I am currently undergoing my second session of chemotherapy and maybe I’m not quite as nimble as Lidl customers are required to be.) I was expecting a «no rush sir» or a «don’t worry about it» instead from the frosty faced, portly, 30-​something nobody at the checkout I got a «well this is German company and you are supposed to take your groceries over to the window sill to bag them there.» I replied with a «I never knew that» to which I got a sarcasm dripping «well you know now don’t you.» If the tone in her voice and the complete lack of empathy wasn’t enough she then fixed me with the most obvious «Eat s%7t and die smile» that I have ever been subjected to. Listen I don’t expect anyone to roll out the red carpet for their customers at a supermarket but I do expect a modicum of respect and civility in exchange for my patronage. I think I will shop at Asda or Tesco or Aldi or the CoOP from now on.