Serious question, is it rude to put the divider bar down before the person in front of you is done?

I was at the store in line behind a guy who said it feels like you're being rushed if someone does that. I always thought it was just being ready, but his point about personal space made me stop. What's the actual rule here?

3 comments

3 Comments

finley_wells661mo ago

Watched a friend get into a silent standoff over this once. The cashier had to step in and it was painfully awkward.

murray.rowan1mo ago

Totally get that, it's a real space invasion move. @finley_wells66 is right about the awkwardness, saw a lady freeze up when someone did it to her. You just gotta wait until their stuff is clearly past the scanner.

averywright1mo ago

Oh man, this hits a nerve. Everyone talks about the person in front feeling rushed, but what about the cashier? Slamming that bar down early can mess up their whole flow, like they're suddenly handling two orders at once. I saw a cashier get flustered last week because of it. Murray.rowan has a point about waiting until stuff is past the scanner, but I'd add you gotta watch the cashier's hands too. If they're still moving, just hold on a second.