The only socializing the checkout clerks do around here is with other clerks while they're handling your order. (at least during the recent grocery strike, the replacement clerks were attentive and weren't always discussing what time their breaks were with the grocery sacker).
Most of the checkout clerks are young, have tattoos, colored hair, and metal in their faces. I care not to socialize with them. What am I gonna say to them? "Hey nice nose bolt you got there."
It has gotten pitiful.