Hate those checkout things. HATE them.
My dad (in his 70s) refused to use those machines. He just puts on a friendly smile, finds a clerk (usually a woman, because most women think my dad is an adorable old guy), gets a confused look on his face, and says, "Can you show me how this works?"
They usually scan everything for him, load up his groceries, and give him a pat on the back. It's so cute. 
Me? I'm lucky if the bagboy doesn't slam the door in my face on my way out of the store.
Ugh, I can't stand those machines. I don't even like them in the library or grocery story, although I agree with you that they're easier there. And I think that it should never be the case that one has to use those lines; I always avoid them and go to the human line, so I would have been really frustrated if that wasn't even an option.
I hate how everything is automated nowadays. It's especially hard on old people because it leaves them without human contact. My mother-in-law, for instance, used to love chatting with bank tellers, cashiers, etc. as she did her errands. Local people knew her by name and would say hello. Now everything is automated and she goes for days without talking to another human being. This is not healthy.
I like those things when they work. Because of my moodiness there are times when I abhor any kind of forced human interaction; it's nice to be able to get in and out of a store without chit-chat when you are in a foul mood. I usually gravitate towards them unless I'm in a good mood and see checker who wants something to do. It's still nicer to have someone else do everything for you. Despite my eccentricities, I could see myself being offended for not getting the option to check out with a human. (BTW, loved hearing your thoughts.)
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