Being a Grocery Store Cashier
Hi everyone. I recently just finished my junior year of college and moved back home for a couple of months for the summer, which means I get to start working at my local grocery store again. I dread it. So much. I can usually pretend and fake confidence when speaking to customers and greeting everyone, but when it comes to difficult and unbearable, angry customers I tend to break down, have a panic attack, and cry. I'm highly sensitive and am also sensitive to everyone one else - making sure that I am always doing my best to make others happy is my number one priority. So when someone is upset at me and is just plain rude to me, I can't help but break down and feel like a failure and cry.
The thing is, I don't even think I can talk to my manager about having high sensitivity and social anxiety because then I might be out of a job that I really need. There aren't any opportunities to find other more soothing and relaxing jobs either as a student. So I'm pretty much stuck here.
Can anyone give me some advice on how to deal with this issue? I honestly hate interacting with people now and I hate this job. I'm just sick of crying all the time.
@foreverwanderlust
Hi there. I decided to respond as I've been in your position before: I have social anxiety disorder and therefore am very sensitive to others criticism and tend to freak out of I feel I've done something to make them unsatisfied, especially when I had to work a job as a cashier. There are so many people you've got to engage with and for people like us, it takes a lot more energy than the average person.
It doesn't seem like leaving the position and finding a new one is something you're able to do right now, but if it ever arises I'd suggest doing so. It's good to push yourself, but it's also good to know your limits.
That being said, the fact that you continue working there and push yourself through the days is commendable. But dealing with unruly customers is hard to do. I would suggest, if you don't already have one, finding some kind of happy memory or moment at your disposal so when things get stressful like that and you feel overwhelmed, you can pull yourself out of the situation for a moment just to gain your composure.
If that hasn't/doesn't work, try remembering that the way the person is acting isn't your fault and most likely they've been having a stressful day already and that their problems are theres and you just happened to be in their line of fire. I feel like sometimes being as sensitive as we are, we can blame ourselves for "acting stupid" or "saying something stupid" or "looking stupid" in front of customers and therefore contributing to their unsatisfaction and I think breaking out of that habit can make us mentally stronger.
Lastly, I woud suggest speaking to a manager or supervisor. You say you are afraid you may lose your job, but the majority of the time that is not the case. You don't have to go into detail about what you experience, you can just simply say you have anxiety and feel overwhelmed at times and perhaps they can offer accomodations. I had a job in finance and accounting at an amusement park that was beyond stressful for me, and I informed the director of the department and he let me know if I ever was feeling panicky, was having issues with my anxiety or depression I could tell him or the managers and they would let me take an extra break, let me go take a breather, or let me go home if I felt I needed to. It really takes the pressure off you at work when you feel that you're surrounded by people who, perhaps don't understand, but are willing to help and accomodate. That was the first boss I ever opened up to about my issues.
Thing is, you will never know if they will be that way until you try. And even if the response isn't what you hope for, at least they are aware of it and will most likely do what they need to do to accomodate you and keep you as a worker.
At any rate, good luck!