For adults · Everyday
At a shop
Self-checkout. The screen says "unexpected item in bagging area" and will not continue. A staff member is standing nearby.
The screen says: "Unexpected item in bagging area."
What could you say?
Three things you could say. None of them is the one right answer; each note says why it fits the moment, or why it may not.
Could you help me? The screen is stuck on "unexpected item".
A strong fit
Naming the message on the screen tells them exactly what is happening.
Excuse me, this one is not working.
Also works here
This gets their attention. They may need to ask what you are seeing.
Never mind, I will leave these here.
Worth a second look
Leaving is allowed. It does not get the help, and you leave without the shopping.
What people here usually expect
- Staff at self-checkouts expect to be called over. It is what they are there for.
- You do not need to explain why it happened.
- Waving or holding up a hand counts as asking if speaking is hard.
Your words
Write one line asking a staff member for help with a machine that has stopped. Say what it is doing.
In the app you write one line here and it lands in your lines. Nothing is graded.
The move this moment practises: Ask for help.
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