self-serve nation

I don't know how long these things have been in use, but I saw my first self-check outs at Superstore a few months ago. I had my first chance to use one yesterday at Home Depot, and it was kinda fun. I scanned my strawberry plants, it gave me the total on the touch-screen, I put my money in the slot, it spit out my change, then my receipt in another slot, and that was it, I was done. I felt very independant doing it, and it was very quick, but I wonder what the real use of them are, and what's going to stop people from nicking an item here or there without scanning them. We're turning into a self-serve nation!