The Boar Likes: Costcutter Staff

**At first glance, you may be wondering why I am devoting an entire 450 words to Costcutter – the campus based convenience store that never actually saves you money. The shop that you enter at 4pm wholly convinced that you are just going to pick up something healthy for dinner, before stalking the aisles like a sugar-starved lunatic and exiting with a basket full of chocolate digestives and potato dogs. The shop in which every purchase pushes you closer to your overdraft limit, and you leave with a lighter wallet and an intrinsic feeling of shame and self-loathing. (Note: aforementioned self-loathing is seen to fade only as you tuck into the overpriced confectionary/ pastry/carbohydrate-based snack on U1 back home). **

Anyway, many a time I have left the shop, cursing its mid-week deals, and vowing never to return; yet somehow I always do. But if it wasn’t for the friendly staff I’m sure I wouldn’t bother.

Costcutter staff are lovely! Although I’m not yet on first name terms with them, I enjoy the transitory till banter when I stock up on library snacks. “That will keep you going for a while! Have a good day” one man smiles as I pack my bag. “Ooh that’s my favourite flavour too” a nice lady enthuses as my flatmate and I take advantage of half price Ben & Jerry’s. A friend of mine is actually on such good terms with a Costcutter worker that they put aside whatever is on offer that week until he arrives (So it does actually pay to be nice, too!).

{{quote Grunting with your earphones in at the till certainly will not win you any favours }}

The minority of students who don’t share my affection for the Costcutter staff need to start smiling back: we’re here for three years, and grunting with your earphones in at the till certainly will not win you any favours (or freebies).

Every time I have been in Costcutter, I am always greeted nicely by the staff who always say please and thank you with a smile. This may not sound like much of a revelation, but considering the lack of eye contact I get from shop assistants in Topshop back home, I think students here should count themselves lucky. So next time you’re perusing the store for bananas and lettuce, and end up at the till with popcorn and chocolate milk, spend a few seconds making conversation – a smile costs nothing; a BLT costs £3.79.