The "self-service checkout " at one

of the local supermarkets has just two machines. One has not worked for over a year. The other blinks on and off occasionally.

Nobody seems to be very concerned about this. I have not heard anyone complain. Even the man who rushed in on Friday to pick up milk before heading into his office did not complain. Instead he simply cheerfully thanked the girl behind the "quick" counter and rushed off again. It has been a very long time since I saw anyone using the available machine.

At the other end of the shopping centre there is a second supermarket. There are about eight self check out machines there. A member of staff is always posted there. Ostensibly their role is to "assist" people who are having problems. 

I have never used these machines. I have in fact never used a self-service checkout. Yes, I probably could work out how to do it but even in one of the big chain stores which sells clothing and haberdashery I have meekly gone up to the person supervising and got some help. I tried using a machine once but you needed a steadiness of paw I do not have and I failed. Is that what put me off?

No. What puts me off is that you pay just the same amount for what you are buying even if you do the work yourself. Supermarket prices have risen dramatically, especially since Covid. At the same time staff numbers have gone down. There are far more "own brand and made in China" items on the shelves than before but prices have gone up. I went hunting for something on Friday. I found it tucked away. The packet is now fifteen percent smaller and the price is twenty percent more. The own brand substitute  is smaller still in quantity - but the packet is the same size. At least it is local. In the supermarket with multiple self serve stations there is a different brand. It comes from China. It costs even more. Self service is not saving us money.   

Outside the supermarket I prefer I sometimes see the permanent staff going in and out to their shifts. They will always acknowledge me. I know their names and some of them know mine. If I need help to reach the top shelf and one of them is around I know I can ask and they will help without hesitation. I know the students who work there. In the library yesterday one of them stopped me and asked a question about his work as he prepares for an exam. It makes me feel useful.

I would rather wait a minute, even two minutes and be served by a person. I want to know that I have paid the correct amount for those things which need to be weighed. I want to make sure if I buy two of something that I actually pay for both of them. I can ask for a receipt and even pay with "real" money if I feel so inclined.  No, self service is not saving money. It is just isolating us even more than before.