There's something weird about a cashier handing an empty cup over the counter to a customer at a fast food restaurant. Somehow, it seems more satisfying to be handed a full cup.
It's become so common to be given an empty cup, consumers have grown accustomed to it. Didn't we realize they were training us to do some of their work for them? Yet, we willingly assist.
I'll admit there are some advantages to the empty-cup method. If you change your mind between the time you ordered and the time you reach the self-serve station, you can simply fill your cup with your newly selected beverage. Being able to control the beverage-to-ice ratio is an advantage too. And for the extra thirsty, going back for refills is easy. The store's additional cost of refills is minimal compared to the price of another pair of hands behind the counter. I'm assuming the cost savings was the reason behind the switch to the empty-cup method of service.
Saving money is probably the reason why retailers and grocery stores started allowing people to check out their own purchases. Instead of paying several employees to man a couple of registers, the store pays one person to float around four self-serve checkouts. The self-serve assistant steps in when a perplexed customer has a problem with a coupon or a runaway lemon.
Although I don't use the self-serve checkout very often, I have used it at times. I like to hear the machine say, "Move your (pause) bananas." Grocery shopping is boring. Find humor where you can.
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