When self checkouts came around, I was a big fan. I hugely preferred it because I'm pretty socially awkward. I used it pretty much exclusively for a decade or so.

But this past year, something flipped in my brain. The rise of AI taking over everything, economy in shambles, general shit state of the world, I don't know... But now I go out of my way to avoid self check outs. I will stand in line waiting for a cashier even if there's self checkout wide open. I want that cashier to have a job. I want them to be able to afford their groceries.

I hate using the manned checkout at Sainsbury's. No I don't want to talk about my day, no I don't want to talk about the weather.

Manned checkout at Aldi or Lidl though, bliss. Bags at the ready and try to keep up as they throw it all at you. Got Lidl+, yep scan, pay, done.