Since this is my last column before the summer break, I thought I would try something different. I usually talk about politics or some social issue that is important, but for this column I decided to write a sort of public service announcement.

Since high school I have worked at Kroger — yes, the grocery store. It’s not a bad job per se; flexible hours and decent pay are some of the “perks.” From when I first started out as a cashier — until now when I work at the customer service desk — I am still amazed at the general stupidity and rudeness of our society as a whole. Working in the service industry, you can get a pretty good cross-section of people from varying backgrounds; and the underlying feature in almost every group of people is the stupidity and rudeness towards those who work in whatever establishment they are visiting. Granted, there are the nice people that come shopping, and they are great to work with. But at the end of the day, it’s the rude, obnoxious and stupid that you remember and make it hard to drag yourself back the next day. Here are a few rules that will help you fall into the “nice” category. Any employee at any establishment will appreciate your consideration.

– They say the customer is always right. That doesn’t mean that if you’re wrong you can make up your own rules to try and get your way. You’re wrong. You know it. We know it. Accept it and move on.

– Read. The. Tags. If it says macaroni and cheese is $2.99, macaroni and cheese is $2.99. The Hamburger Helper next to it isn’t $2.99. The macaroni and cheese is $2.99.

– U-Scan is not rocket science. The machine gives you step-by-step instructions, complete with feedback on whether you’re doing it right or not.

– Just because it was on sale last week doesn’t mean it’s on sale this week. It’s called a sale. If it was on sale all the time that would simply be the normal price. Telling your cashier “It was on sale last week” is not going to mean an automatic price cut.

– Don’t take out your frustration on us. You were running late for work this morning, your boss yelled at you and now you can’t find the Rice-A-Roni your girlfriend wants you to grab? Guess what. I got a D on a paper this morning, had a flat and am now here dealing with cranky customers for another six hours. We’re people too.

– I’m not asking you to walk around and give every employee in the store a gold sticker. Just be nice and have some common sense.