From the editor – Disconnecting

Keer Moriarty.
Keer Moriarty.

I went to one of the local supermarkets to do my shopping last week.  I tend to get bits and pieces from where ever, but I do like that place with the random stuff in the middle aisles.

It wasn’t until I arrived at the checkout I realised they had installed self checkouts.

I was disappointed to say the least.

I am sure it is my age, but the less connected we are with each other, the more disappointed I am with society.

Don’t get me wrong, there was a lady helping people with the self-checkouts and she was lovely to everyone.  There was still one staffed checkout open, but for me it is the principle of the thing.

For a start, I don’t really want to scan my own groceries.

I don’t want to see those people lose their jobs.

Then there is the social aspect of it.

I know, who wants to have a chat these days? Who wants to have to stand in a line with other people and potentially talk to the people in the line, or the checkout operator.

I do.

Well, not talk to everyone, and not all the time, but there have been times when a friendly interaction with someone in a shop has lifted my spirits and literally made my day.

I’m sure there are many people who could do with a kind word and a smile from time to time and human interaction at the checkout might be the only chance they get to have this.

They might not even know they need it until a smile lights up there day.

Again, maybe it is my age, but why are we disconnecting?  Let’s bring back some humanity.

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About Keer Moriarty 508 Articles
Small town newspaper Editor, journo, social media manager and tea lady.