DUTCH SUPERMARKET CREATES SLOW CHECKOUT LANE FOR CHATTY SHOPPERS

This is apparently true: a Dutch supermarket chain – Jumbo, with over 700 locations – has introduced slow checkout lanes for people who enjoy talking while their groceries are being scanned and bagged. It’s called a Kletskassa, or “chat checkout.” The concept was introduced by Jumbo in the summer of 2019 as a part of the Dutch government’s One Against Loneliness campaign. There are 1.3 million adults over 75 in the Netherlands, and 33% of them say they feel at least moderately lonely. Talking to the cashier helps them stay in communication with another human. Jumbo market has the lanes in over 200 of its stores.
* “Kletskassa” is also the Dutch word for Hell.
* It’s so slow, there’s a sign at the front of the lane: “Bananas must be green before entering.”
* “Hey, sorry for interrupting your story, but I’m going on break. Hans Brinker here will take over listening to you.”
* Lonely people talking to cashiers. Well, I guess it gives the Dutch bartenders a break.
* They charge by the groceries, but they should charge by the minute.