The secret life of a supermarket checkout operator

"Good morning" the checkout operator says with a pasted smile across her face. She has been told by her supervisors that if she doesn't smile, say good morning, ask if the customer would like to buy: a lottery ticket, car insurance, house insurance, pet insurance, contents insurance, stamps or have cash back she will not get her bonus???
Most customers I have spoken too just want to get out of the supermarket as quickly as possible. They are not interested in the operators trying to sell them whatever, they want to pay for their goods and get out.
Some assistants take this personally because they can't process 19 items a minute, ask all these questions, pack, smile and pass the time of day with their customers because:
1. customers are not interested
2. they (the assistants have enough on their plate already - so why should they have to put themselves into the firing line even more than before while their supervisors and managers just putter around making themselves look important. Where are they when you need them?)
3. they are unable to multi-task.
4. they are on a minimum wage - who gets the commission from all these sales anyway?
5. rather than look at the positives management always picks up negatives and doesn't seem to appreciate, know or care what goes on behind the tills unless it is something un-to-ward.
6. it is not in their job description to do these extra jobs - where are the unions?

Support your local checkout operators by writing to Supermarket Store Managers telling them what a good job the assistants are doing and how they should be financially recognised for their significant contributions.