Thinking of trying it for yourself? Here are a few tips to make the most of this glorious, inefficient gift. First, check your timing. The slow lane isn’t for a frantic, pre-work dash. It’s for a Saturday afternoon when you can actually feel your feet on the floor.
Second, prepare a conversation starter. It sounds silly, but silence can be awkward. Try: “Those tomatoes look lovely today,” or “Have you tried the bakery’s new sourdough?” It’s low-stakes, human, and perfectly acceptable.
Third, leave your phone in your pocket. The whole point is to be present. If you’re scrolling Insta while the cashier is trying to connect, you’ve missed the entire point of the experiment. Treat it like a short, live podcast where you are the guest.
Finally, don’t be afraid to receive the kindness. If a cashier asks you about your weekend, answer honestly. You don’t need a deep life story, but a genuine “It’s been a quiet one” can open a door. You might find yourself leaving with a lighter heart and a heavier bag of custard creams.
Morrisons launches slow checkouts to help combat loneliness | Retail
Fun Facts to Chew On While You Queue
Did you know that the average British person spends roughly 15 minutes per week in a supermarket queue? That’s 13 hours a year. Imagine turning even two of those hours into genuine human connection. That’s a pretty good return on investment for a few bags of carrots.
The concept isn’t entirely new. Some Japanese konbini (convenience stores) have long offered a similar service for elderly customers, and a café in Amsterdam recently launched a “chatty” table where you pay for your coffee by having a conversation. Loneliness is a global problem, but so is the creativity to solve it.
Also, here’s a geopolitical twist: In 2026, the UK appointed a Minister for Loneliness. This isn’t a quirky headline; it’s a serious health policy. Morrisons’ initiative fits right into that government push to build a more connected society, one carrier bag at a time.
