I always thought cashiers’ poor customer service was a reflection of how little they are paid to care about their jobs. It is hard to work yourself up into a state of enthusiasm for a job where you’re only making $7 an hour. If I see someone acting like this, I assume they are being paid minimum wage, and then that reflects (to me) poorly on the management for being so cheap.

That being said, my sister has lived in Korea for six years, and she says that cashiers there outdo eachother to give you great service. She says it’s quite startling to walk into the Dunkin Donuts for your morning coffee and the staff seems so sincerely pleased to be helping you. The total opposite of what you are describing, Colin. Apparently young people there have a different attitude about working menial jobs.