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[–] 43 points 5 days ago (10 children)

I'm a introvert and hate dealing with people, but for some reason I don't like using the self-checkout. I don't know why. But anyway, I recommend moving to Finland. My interactions are as follows:

A very quick eye contact with a nod as a hello.

I pay, receive the change, say thank you.

I go away.

There is no small talk or push for registering for their bonus card systems, etc, here. You go in, do your thing, say thank you, go away. And saying anything is optional. I do it because I feel like that's the least I can do for the poor person who has to deal with humans all day. But often I see people not even look at the checkout person, just stare at the register until it gives out a number, pay and bugger off.

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  • [–] 23 points 5 days ago (6 children)

    I'm sure you know the old joke:

    How do you spot an extrovert Finn?When he talks to you, he looks at your shoes instead of his own.

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  • [–] 10 points 5 days ago (5 children)
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  • [–] 9 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

    A Swede is visiting his Finnish cousin. They are sitting in a boat, drinking beers and fishing. After the 8th beer, the Swede asks "so, hows the family?" And the Finn replies "did we come here to drink or to talk?"

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  • [–] 4 points 5 days ago (2 children)

    Haha, thanks, I didn't know that one. I would honestly love to visit Finland someday.

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  • [–] 12 points 5 days ago (1 child)

    That's pretty much the interaction I expect in New England.

    And, it's better than waiting around for the self-checkout attendant to fix the error when the self-checkout kiosk doesn't detect the reusable bag I brought correctly.

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  • I know I'm lucky that I live in a country that has 17 people living in it, I don't remember the last time I was in the checkout line for more than 5 minutes. Also, we have shops that are open until late at night and most of the hyper-markets are 24h. So I just go shopping at around 23:00 or later, when there is 2 people in the shop.

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  • [–] 4 points 5 days ago

    There is no small talk or push for registering for their bonus card systems, etc, here. You go in, do your thing, say thank you, go away

    As it should be! The exaggerated fake politeness I've encountered in the US is fucking horrible and makes everything worse.

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