Tesco has had its fair share of criticism for many
reasons. I shop at Tesco because it is
the closest and have done for 40 years.
I don’t feel a particular loyalty but it is convenient, the prices and
quality are good enough and the demeanour of the staff has improved
substantially in recent years.
My title “Care in the Community” relates to the name given
to the Government programme launched several decades ago which aimed to
deinstitutionalise people with mental health issues deemed not to be a risk to
themselves or the community, out of institutions and back into the community.
In general it is hugely preferable but resources do not always meet demand.
The links between this and Tesco are two incidents I have
seen in the last couple of weeks. Now
that I don’t work full-time I no longer have to shop in quantity, or at night nor
brave the crowds at weekends. So shopping (albeit not my favourite past-time)
is a more leisurely affair.
The first was a couple of weeks ago – the cashier was
scanning my shopping when a middle-aged woman clutching a cuddly toy came up to
her – greeted her very effusively, insisted on kissing her and kissing the toy
and the cashier kissing the toy as well. After a moment or two the cashier said
to the woman – “now go and do your shopping and come back when you are ready, I
need to finish this lady’s shopping” and off she went. The cashier thanked me
for my patience, I asked if she was a friend and she said – “no, she comes in
here a few times a week and always looks for the cashiers she knows and we
always have to kiss her toy”.
The second was last week: again my shopping was being
scanned when I became aware of a woman at the next door till whose shopping was
being scanned and who was shouting “I have bought too much, I don’t have enough
money for a taxi, I shouldn’t have bought so much, I don’t have a car” and on
and on.” The cashier said very quietly – “don’t worry, just tell me what you
want to take out and we will do that.” The woman behind me must have said
something to our cashier who replied, “She comes in several times a week and
always fills her trolley but she only buys a few things, but we understand”.
I was moved and impressed.
So the next time the cashier is not quite quick enough or doesn’t smile
enough or makes a mistake – just think of what they may have been doing that
day.
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