The Good News is…
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/a-checkout-line-where-slower-is-better-supermarket-jumbo/
When I say supermarket checkout line, what’s your first thought? Wasted time. Even when you self-check, you can still stand in line and wait to spend your money. If you do have a clerk help check you out, the most conversation you have is maybe one to two minutes of small pleasantries about the weather or some other neutral topic.
But one supermarket chain in the Netherlands is making the checkout process slower on purpose, and customers are happy with that. That’s because the customers being targeted are some of the 1.3 million people in the Netherlands who are older than 75 years. Based on the Dutch government’s campaign called “One Against Loneliness,” the grocer called Jumbo, wants to make sure that elder individuals aren’t getting too lonely. So they began something called “chatty check outs,” and customers have reacted very positively. Therefore, Jumbo is expanding this program to 200 stores in places where loneliness could be a major factor for customers.
The driving force behind this initiative came from Jumbo’s CCO Colette Cloosterman-van Eerd, who says that loneliness is felt by many people, especially older individuals. In fact, she considers Jumbo a family business that is the heart of society because it’s a meeting place for people. They are proud of their cashiers who are willing to participate in the program and who “make real contact with their customers out of genuine interest.” Even though it might seem to be a small gesture, this interaction can be very valuable in this digital world. Cloosterman-van Eerd says that she hopes that Jumbo will be more than just a place where people shop. In fact, several stores also have a chat corner where customers can get some coffee and talk with their neighbors.
The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has supported these types of efforts with the establishment of local coalitions against loneliness in 355 municipalities across the country for organizing programs such as home visits, telephone hotlines, and map creation featuring activities for nearby seniors. Hopefully, this national movement towards supporting older people will catch on in many other countries around the world.
Joke: You know you're getting older when the only thing on you that's thin is your hair.
Quote: "Loneliness is not caused by others; it’s when your mind tells you that nobody cares about you." — QuotesLifetime.com
Advice: Take the time to talk to people who want to connect with you. You never know what difference you might be making in their lives.