Cashiers Reveal 35 Items That Make Them Give Customers The Side Eye At The Register

As customers, we rarely pay attention to the person behind the cash register. We have them ring up our items, make the payment, and then go on with our day. 

What they think about our purchases is the least of our concerns. But after reading these responses in a Reddit Thread from a while back, you may start doing so. 

We’ve collected stories from cashiers about the times they’ve silently judged customers based on what they bought. Some involve items for a questionable purpose, while others just don’t make a lick of sense. 

Scroll through and see what purchases may get you the side eye from the person ringing them up.

#1

When parents get angry at their kids for wanting a 50p pack of stickers, or some cheap child’s magazine saying “we don’t have enough money for that.” Whilst paying for cigarettes and lottery tickets.

#2

A Vietnamese lady came in a day after Valentine’s Day to buy candy, she bought hundreds of bags, I made a joke about how the dentist bill must be insane, and she told me how she sends the candy to orphan homes in Vietnam because they don’t have candy there apparently.


Don’t judge a book by its cover guys.

#3

I usually didn’t judge unless it was ridiculous amounts of junk.

My favorite was a customer who bought two cases of tuna, a large pack of disposable razors and a few cans of ladies shaving cream. I was ringing the stuff out and started giggling. He was confused and I asked, “are you gonna shave a cat?” The guy took a look at his purchases and started laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe. Both of us were in tears by the time he was out the door.

No one else heard us so we just looked insane.

#4

When parents with very overweight kids buy nothing but junk food.

#5

Every time this question comes up, I wonder: What makes you think I think *anything* about you. I think about my feet hurting, my back aching, and how long until my shift ends. You? Not so much.

#6

I didn’t judge but it’s a great story.
I saw a guy in the c****m aisle looking absolutely baffled. I am a pharmacist and went to help (with an inward sigh, some people have no idea how to use them). He said, “i have no idea what I’m looking at. There are so many! I’ve been fixed for almost 20 years. But my boy’s going to college, and I don’t want him bringing STDs or any babies home with him!”. He got really excited when I told him about spermidicde and bought 5-6 dozen count boxes. That’s a good dad.

#7

A cashier once talked s**t to my grandma when she bought pigs feet. I think they are gross, too. But I dont want you talking s**t to my grandma about how gross they are. Mind your business.

#8

This isnt exactly the same thing but…

I used to work at Autozone. One day a customer came in and asked if there were any deals on our “strongest” antifreeze. I asked him if he meant the lowest temperature rating and he said no, the one with the most Ethylene glycol.

I was really confused and asked him what he needed it for and he told me it was because his neighbors kids just got kittens and they were trespassing on his property. I excused myself and went back to my boss/the store manager and told him and he told me I had to make the sale.

I had to sell him four gallons of antifreeze to k**l some defenseless kittens and absolutely crush his neighbors kids. I try to never say I hate anybody and I never wish harm on anybody but…. yeah.

#9

The only people I silently judge are the ones trying to make up a reason for me to not silently judge them. So what if you eat that whole cake by yourself.

Live a little.

#10

I got judged by a cashier once.

I was working in a welding and fabrication facility at the time as a repair guy. Since I wasn’t one of the welders I would often get tasked with whatever needed doing.

The particular job at the time required ultrasonic testing of bends made in some tubing to ensure proper wall thickness. We had one tube of ultrasound gel. Sure enough, the tube got knocked off the table and run over by a forklift.

The job was very time critical and we need to do the ultrasounds NOW. A good substitute for ultrasonic gel is KY.

I grabbed a fistful of petty cash and rushed over to a nearby grocery store and grabbed *every* tube of KY they had.

I then ran up to the cashier who then rang up tube after tube after tube. I was in such a rush that I really hadn’t thought about the normal use of KY. As she was looking at me oddly and silently ringing up my purchase I said something like “It has been crazy at work today.”

The look on her face was priceless.

Halfway out of the parking lot I realized what happened. We all had a good laugh about it at work and I had the nickname of “KY” for a few days.