I’m experimenting with single book reviews for a few days to see if people like those more than the doubles – if you are interested in one book but not the other, does it put you off reading the post and/or commenting? I’d love to know. Anyway, I also started a substantial book today so there might not be another one to review for a few days, so here’s my reaction to a book in a genre I enjoy (is that the right word), where someone goes undercover to explore a different life or experience to the one they’re used to. What would you call that – social experiment books? Quest books? I did hop ahead in the TBR for this one as I started it when I had a bit of a cold and wanted something easy and not too taxing on the brain.
Tazeen Ahmad – “Checkout Girl”
(11 July 2016 – charity shop in Bridlington)
A journalist goes undercover during the early days of the recession to see first-hand the effect it’s having on people’s lives and spending habits. As it’s a Friday Project book, I assume it was based on a blog, but it’s well put together and reads coherently, which is refreshing.
It’s a warts-and-all but seemingly fair and balanced description of both behind the scenes and in the customer front line working at Sainsburys. She’s honest about her own struggles with the amount of customer interaction she’s supposed to do, the complicated transactions and processes and the different personalities of her colleagues and supervisors. I was saddened – but not surprised – to read about the attitudes of customers – I’ve certainly been guilty of carrying on my own life (and, dare I say it, bickering with Mr Liz) as I pass by the till, but I do make an effort to be polite! In fact, when I was talking to a lady in our Sainsburys, I confirm that although I do place my items on the belt in the order I want to pack them, I also do it so they’re close to her and the right way round (she said she doesn’t notice but I bet she does). I will be extra polite and supportive in future (in fact, I and a friend both told off someone who swore at the lady in the cafe the other day when she needed to check their large-denomination bank note, so hopefully I’m already walking the walk there).
I have to say that my checkout lady said they weren’t actually told to talk to every single customer, but I’m sure stores differ, and this book was published a few years ago now. I’d be interested to read an update on whether the redundancies started to diminish and people moved back from Basics to branded items, for example.
A well-written book which had a lot to recommend it and a human interest story as well as an economic exploration.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Nov 15, 2016 @ 15:53:19
Intriguing – I think we need to look at things from the other person’s viewpoint a bit more so we can be more tolerant. For example, since my Youngest Child started working on an IT helpdesk, I’ve become inordinately polite when dealing with my one….
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:45:12
Having worked in a library on the front desk and in a call centre, I’m always polite to front line staff but I also know how to get through to supervisors and complain effectively while not taking anger out on innocents!
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anewlookthrougholdeyes
Nov 15, 2016 @ 16:05:06
I believe I have said this elsewhere but it warrants repetition. As a person who is visually impaired I have recently started asking for extra help in Kings Heath Sainsbury’s. If I’d known shopping could be so much fun I would have done it ages ago. They get what I want, find alternatives and special offers, are unpatronising and funny. Good training and lovely staff. And Sainsbury’s labelling is more accessible than other supermarkets. Another interesting review Liz. Thank you.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:46:30
This is brilliant – I think the book mentioned working with some people who needed help but I’m always glad to hear of people going the extra mile. Apparently if you find out their names and report it to the customer service desk they get feedback and praise from management, although again I got that from this book. Something I always try to do anyway.
Do the other supermarkets offer the same?
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anewlookthrougholdeyes
Nov 16, 2016 @ 16:02:16
Places differ in the way they help. Sainsbury’s allocate a person for the whole time you are shopping, others will help with particular requests. Waitrose is surprisingly poor whereas John Lewis are extremely helpful, especially for clothes shopping. … anither good thing about Sainsbury’s and John Lewis is that the staff know the stick.I think it depends on individual staff training and management’s approach to disabled customers. I do leave feedback where I can but have been cheerfully told’ it’s all part of the job’! Often staff will say that they enjoy a change from routine. Also I think those of us with disabilities should help by being clear about what is helpful for us.
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Rebecca Foster
Nov 15, 2016 @ 16:58:48
I like the sound of this one. Do you know Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed? It’s about trying out various low-paid jobs and seeing what poorer Americans have to do to get by.
The only reviews of yours likely to put me off are the ones about sport 😉
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:47:45
Yes, I’ve read that one a while back (should be reviewed on here somewhere) and really enjoyed it, plus a UK version whose name escapes me. Interesting stuff. There might be a few sporting reviews coming up but we all have our own interests, don’t we. I’d be sunk if every blogger had the same taste as me, with a TBR the size of my house, and I’m sure you feel the same!
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heavenali
Nov 15, 2016 @ 18:16:25
Many of the checkout people in AG Sainsbury are really chatty and friendly. It always seems genuine. I like one book at a time reviews, but that doesn’t stop me reading your double ones. Whatever works best for you.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:48:47
I got a bit hung up about bombarding people, but I only read about 10-11 books a month and I’ll still combine shorter reviews of lighter books, I think. I was blogging more on my other blogs previously, but I think it balances now and no one reads all of them.
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Jan Carr
Nov 16, 2016 @ 04:36:43
I also like your one book at a time reviews even though I don’t comment often. Your tastes are quite different from mine so I often have nothing to say about books you review while enjoying the way you write about them.
Our supermarkets are pretty good about training their counter staff although I get crotchety with the ones who say “Have a nice day.” I had a friend I admired whose response to that remark was to say “Thanks, but I have other plans!.”
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:49:48
That’s a very good comeback, isn’t it! Although I suppose they are probably mostly genuine. And thanks for the feedback. I’m not reading that quickly at the moment so think the one-book posts might be the way to go for a bit. Hope you’re OK over there, by the way.
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Harriet Devine
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:09:23
I prefer one-book reviews, for no particular reason, but of course still read and enjoy two-book ones. This sounds interesting – thanks.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 16, 2016 @ 08:50:38
I realise I’m the only person who does two-book ones; I think I’ll try one-book for substantial books and round-ups for lighter ones and see how that suits me and my readers. I’ve added lots of people to my list of blogs to read in the sidebar by the way, including you!
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Ste J
Nov 16, 2016 @ 12:56:54
I don’t think double book reviews put people off at all, it is a good mix, so many people do single book reviews to to see a couple of books in one post can be a welcome change. I think it all does with how much there is to say about a book.
Retail is terrible, front line staff get all the pressure from above to sell store cards and special offers and all the lot and then get the abuse from customers for having to follow rules set down for them. It can be a terrible job.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 21, 2016 @ 16:08:09
Oops, forgot to reply to this! Thank you for your comments about my reviews, I’m going to try single ones for a bit but might do round-ups for “slighter” books. And I’ve not worked in retail but have done phone customer services and library issue desks … shudder …
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Ste J
Nov 21, 2016 @ 19:33:15
If I could get by with writing then I would ditch the job in a moment. Keep on with the awesome posts my friend, you are always on my reading list, no matter the structure of your posts.
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Nic Wray
Nov 21, 2016 @ 14:23:08
I think sometimes as well, customer interaction depends on location. Supermarket staff here in Suffolk are much more open and ready to chat than those in Sheffield (with the exception of Morrisons, which in my small Suffolk town closed, but it was a poor store). I think the quality and pace of life has an impact – there’s less rush and bustle here.
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Liz Dexter
Nov 21, 2016 @ 16:07:10
Yes, that’s true, although this was a policy from on high they were told to adopt (in the book). I thought of the book as being set in London but I’m not sure. And I think you’re right, they’re much nicer in the MIdlands than in London!
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