Self Checkout Lines

 

I like self-checkout lanes.

I like being able to control my pace and the order in which I scan my items.

I like using my own bags or not using bags at all.

I like not feeling the pressure of someone waiting behind me.

 

But inasmuch as I like self-checkout lines,

There are others who despise them,

Or who simply don’t know how to use them,

And it’s for that reason that I don’t think that self-checkout should be the only option when checking out from a store.

 

Last Sunday night,

As I was going through the self-checkout lane at my local grocery store,

I noticed an older gentleman standing in a regular checkout lane.

Even though there were workers available,

No cashier-checkout lanes were open.

The man waited for a little while, hoping someone would come help him,

But no one did.

And so he attempted self-checkout.

He was so lost.

Realizing what was happening, I asked a friend to go help him.

She did.

And then, finally, one of the employees came to assist him in completing his purchase.

 

When I got home that night,

I asked my dad if he knew how to do self-checkout.

As I expected, he said no.

And so I explained it to him,

Knowing that the information was going in one ear and out the other.

My dad tries with technology.

Really, he does.

But there is still so much he doesn’t know or understand.

And he is just one of many older Americans who are being left behind and looked over by modern American society.

 

…

 

Technological advances are great,

But at what cost are we advancing technology

While leaving people—especially older people—behind?

 

…

May we be a people who do not live in either/or but in both/and:

Both self-checkout AND cashier-checkout--

Options for both younger generations AND older generations—

Options for both rich AND poor.

And may we be a people who look out for one another,

Recognizing when someone is lost—

Especially someone older—

And then, offering help as needed,

No strings attached.

 

Amen.