The Great Enabler: Self-Checkout

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 No, that's not a typo. I've quickly learned that the wonderful self-checkout at our neighborhood TESCO is perhaps the great enabler.

I came to this realization when responding to a student's question as I was asked if visiting shops was challenging, given the language barrier. Offering my response as a sheepish grin spread across my face, I laughingly described my newfound routine of walking to TESCO, spending time perusing nearly every aisle collecting what I want to purchase (while contemplating how much of a necessity each item is as I calculate how much bag space I'll have left and factor in other variables, such as how burdensome my walk back home is going to be), and finally heading to the self-checkout before embarking upon the journey back home. 

However, my response didn't end there... I also described why I appreciated the self-checkout. In addition to avoiding the awkward confrontation with a clerk as I'd have to stumble through Slovak in an attempt to pay, I explained that the self-checkout had a beautiful little button at the bottom lefthand corner of the screen that allowed me to select "English". 


Yes, I know. I need to practice Slovak. I genuinely do want to learn; I simply don't want to practice at the checkout counter as a line forms behind me, and I really just want to get home to put the groceries away. 

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