I can't stand the small talk either, so I just stand there and look grumpy (not difficult as it's unlikely I'll be enjoying the experience), which usually has the effect of discouraging the staff from talking to me!
Different if I'm in my local butchers or fruit and veg shop, when I'm shopping at independents, and as a regular there the staff and I have gotten to know each other (the relationship therefore is totally different), so having a chat/bit of banter is all part of the experience.
However, I simply abhor self-service checkouts in supermarkets, because as I've said, I dislike the precedent they set, and they unquestionably lose jobs, so in that respect we have to stop just selfishly thinking about ourselves and what superficially seems more convenient for us.
I'm also not a 'top-up' shopper, so when I use supermarkets (as I hate going there unless I have to), I do a week's shopping (at least) all in the one go, so there's always a trolley full of stuff, the majority of which is fresh produce, which is a major ball-ache putting through self-service checkouts. I'd be stood there forever doing it, so it's simply a non-option.
Here's the thing, which shows that it's ALL about saving money for the supermarkets...
If more checkouts were manned by staff (rather than the majority closed), especially during the busiest times, and there were more 'express' tills available (six items or fewer/baskets only), which was strictly monitored, there would be no need for any self-service checkouts, as everything would be running quickly and smoothly!
But of course that costs money.... And are they passing the money they've saved on employing less checkout staff onto customers? Are they fuck. It's all going into the pockets of the fat cats!! And that's another reason why I boycott self-service checkouts. The last thing they are is having been created for our benefit!
Here's the crux:
If in a supermarket I'm PAYING (indirectly or otherwise) for the privilege of being served, then I WANT to experience that privilege, or otherwise as Tom says, be reimbursed (via discounted shopping) for the inconvenience of having to serve myself.
That way I'm being incentivised, on MY terms, to serve myself, not merely being surreptitiously 'groomed' into changing my behaviour by supermarkets, simply to maximise profits for the fat cats!
End of.
Marco.