to expect the Sainsbury's checkout girl

Most of the staff in Sainsbury's are great but this is a huge new one and they have just 2 or 3 younger women in amongst all the check out operators. In fact the young men are the best, with a steady stream of banter and always being willing to help too!

It was my own fault for opting for the shortest queue!

I don't even attempt to pack as fast as they scan. The heavy tins end up on top of the peaches if you try to keep up.

I put it all straight into a trolley as it lands, and pack in peace in a quiet corner after I have paid. I prefer supermarkets with a shelf or a wide wondow ledge where I can sort things out.

Kitty Ask her what charm school she went to, then tell her she should ask for her money back

Don't mention Co-Op to me; local one, which unfortunately I had to use earlier today, had no checkouts open, 4 DIY tills and at least 20 people queuing while the 3 staff sat drinking coffee! Goodness knows what was going on.
The elderly customers in front of me were completely bamboozled as usually they use the checkouts, according to the gentleman in front of me, so can be helped to pack etc.

It's all about the scanning rate. Reprimanded in some stores if they don't do it quickly enough.
Tesco used to be the worst offender, then someone up high had a light bulb moment and decided that perhaps the customer was being overlooked in it all.
I used to get quite anxious trying to keep up with them and stopped going to Tesco altogether.
I did complain though, long and loud!!!

Kitty, I would suggest an email to their customer care, it was not acceptable.
When our Tesco first opened many of the staff came from the local Co-op and were awful, they very quickly changed !

The checkout people in Spanish supermarkets are a million times worse. The stuff comes hurtling towards you at 100mph and they don't wait for anything. DH and me brace ourselves for the onslaught as soon as the customer in front moves off - or before, if possible!

They say it to everyone, regardless of age, I should add!

Most of our (fairly) local checkout people are very nice and friendly and do wait for slow old people like me to catch up or offer to pack.
Tesco, Sainsburys, Asda, Waitrose, Lidl, we're not fussy where we go
Although a friend did say that Morrison's staff were very grumpy yesterday.

Asda and Tesco checkout operators in my area all ask if I want any help with my packing. It seems to be part of the training to do this (as well as 'have you got enough bags?').

BTW, I am a miserable old git

Yes, I think it very reasonable for the checkout person to pace themselves to you. Glad to say that my local Tesco checkout operators never do that, I would say something if they did. They always offer to pack for you. My pet hate is when they chat to their mates etc when dealing with you, I just stop packing until they pay attention again. Mrs P says I'm a miserable old git.

If they do that I usually say something in admiring tones eg 'You're such a speedy worker! I used to be speedy but not so much now I'm older!'