After leaving the gym this morning, I stopped by a nearby Kroger to pick up a few items. I arrived at the store around 7 am. During this timeframe, the only lanes open are self-checkout.
I was the first one in the self-checkout lane and opted to use the register in the very back. After I started scanning my items, two men with separate transactions proceeded to the self-checkout kiosks near the front – which were across the aisle from each other.
During the time this was taking place, the attendant on duty was having a lively discussion with someone within several feet from where I stood.
After I finished scanning my items, I selected the option for entering a coupon that triggered an alert for the attendant to assist me.
Shortly after my register triggered an alert, the other two check-out kiosks triggered an alert. We all turned in the direction of the attendant to get his attention. When he turned around, he had a surprised look on his face and exclaimed, Oh! Everyone needs help!
At that precise moment, I could tell he was processing who to help first. As a recap, my register signaled the alert first. The attendant would also have to walk past me to assist the other two gentlemen.
He decided to help the gentleman then backtrack to help me.
Could this have been a result of him being an older white gentleman and the other two gentlemen were also white?
Could this have been because they were men and I was a woman?
Could this be because they were at the front and I was at the rear?
Could it be that he felt he would get pushback from the gentlemen if he helped me first?
Could this be because I was in gym attire and they weren’t – which gave an impression that I didn’t have any place to be?
I patiently waited for him to assist the other two gentlemen, paid for my transaction, and kept it moving.
What would you have done if you were the attendant?
Ramona Mills 