[Dan208]

To make a long story short, about two years ago some things happened in my life and after being gone for almost 13 years, I ended up working back at the first job I ever had, at my small town's local grocery store.

I have always enjoyed the grocery business and I'm pretty good at it, but I get really embarrassed by the fact that I work there. It usually happens when I have to work an early shift and I drop my daughter off at school, and I walk in with her while wearing my work shirt (it has the store's logo on it). Some times I'll see someone I know come in and I make an effort to avoid them so I don't have to talk or interact with them. I'm an assistant floor manager and I make decent money for what I do and the area we live in, but I still have this constant thought in my head that what I do isn't a "respectable" job.

Any thoughts on how to deal with these feelings? I plan on staying here for a long time (I hope to make department manager one day) so I'm going to have to get over it somehow.

[Terabithia]

I think that it's how well you do your job and the effort you put into your job that makes YOU a respectable person, no matter what the job is.

[Mustkeepjob32]

I guess I would like WHY it makes you embarrassed? Especially if you enjoy it. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed. I can't even hold down a job, but hopefully that won't be forever.

[Dan208]

Originally Posted by Mustkeepjob32

I guess I would like WHY it makes you embarrassed? Especially if you enjoy it. There's no reason for you to be embarrassed. I can't even hold down a job, but hopefully that won't be forever.

I don't really know. I guess because most people wouldn't consider it a "cool" job. I know that I need to stop caring what people think, but it's something that I've struggled with for a long time.

[growlycat]

That is a very respectable job and you support and help care for your daughter. Your job involves "necessities" like people's groceries, things everyone needs. Ceo, librarian, electrician or accountant----everyone needs to eat!!

I think of some of my colleagues in marketing, and how they can spend hours over deciding the font they use in a branding campaign, and I salute you for doing actual work that actually means something.

[Dan208]

Originally Posted by growlycat

That is a very respectable job and you support and help care for your daughter. Your job involves "necessities" like people's groceries, things everyone needs. Ceo, librarian, electrician or accountant----everyone needs to eat!!

I think of some of my colleagues in marketing, and how they can spend hours over deciding the font they use in a branding campaign, and I salute you for doing actual work that actually means something.

Thank you. That's what I try to tell myself, that unless people are going to produce their own food, they need grocery store workers like me.

[sans]

Hi Dan,
I have worked many service type jobs, and have worked in a grocery store previously. I found it to be a very respectable way to earn a living, and quite challenging at times. Maybe somehow, you are comparing yourself to another person, and not feeling like this career choice is adequate. But STOP!! OK, that's all...just know your valuable in all you do. Give it your best at any job, and that is something to admire.

[allme]

Originally Posted by Dan208

I don't really know. I guess because most people wouldn't consider it a "cool" job. I know that I need to stop caring what people think, but it's something that I've struggled with for a long time.

Hi

I think now you need to ask yourself, why does it matter if people don't think it's cool?

To be honest, I really don't think people will think anything of it. Maybe you are judging people on your own beliefs and personal feelings about the job you do?

And if some people do have that opinion, who cares?

[Hobbit House]

I stopped caring about what random people think about me. That's about them not you.

[HealingTimes]

Any job is a "cool" job. I am a cleaner, and have had people think my job isn't "cool enough".
However, I work hard to provide for my family and put food on the table, and don't care what others say!

[Bluesday]

There really aren't that many normal people with "cool" jobs. There are even less that actually LIKE their job....so be grateful you are so fortunate!

[StrongerMan]

Most people would envy you for loving your job no matter what it is. People reflect back at us what we project out to them. In my case, for instance, I've mostly hated my jobs and thought people looked down on me because of them. (I really just had low self esteem and thought any job I got was nothing to be proud of)

Describing my job negatively to others on a daily basis was causing them to respond back in kind. My perceptions were self fulfilling, so to speak. I twisted it in my mind to mean they did not respect my job, but they were actually just sort of agreeing with me that, yeah, my job must suck and be all drudgery. That was the message they got from me.

[dedicated]

You should be proud of having that enjoyable job at managerial position. I don't know what you mean with "respectable" job.

When I came here in USA, I was already 30 years old during the gulf war recession. I was a registered professional engineer in my country but my first job here was being janitor. Did cashiering in convenience store where I enjoyed talking to customers. For me, they were jobs not work. Please don't belittle yourself, you are doing great! I hope you will become the department manager in no time. Wish you the best and more power to you.

[Dan208]

I don't know what you mean with "respectable" job.

I guess a job that my family can be proud of me for doing (police, military, etc), although those come with their own set of problems. (I noticed you are from Kansas also. )

Thank you all for the kind words. I do realize that I'm lucky to even have a job, let alone one that I enjoy. Not caring what people think is just something that I'm going to have to keep working at.

[dedicated]

Originally Posted by Dan208

I guess a job that my family can be proud of me for doing (police, military, etc), although those come with their own set of problems. (I noticed you are from Kansas also. )

Thank you all for the kind words. I do realize that I'm lucky to even have a job, let alone one that I enjoy. Not caring what people think is just something that I'm going to have to keep working at.

Not all those jobs that you think are respectable at all, some of them wished they are, have you read about the LAPD and Riverside Country Police Department? Some of them used their badges to rape kids, to intimidate people and etc . . . (tho' most cops deserve appreciation), the fire department captain who started several fires? Do you think many people could do what you are doing? Don't go looking for answers too far, you can find the answer in your work place by counting who didn't pass interviews, didn't make the probationary period and left because they feel not being productive. You are well respected and holding respectable position Dan, without someone like you, the store won't survive.

Yes, I lived in California with the entire family for over 21 years who became a victim of economic crisis who hit the road eastward 3 years ago, to be employed, be useful to others and to survive. I am blessed I found the best place on earth. People here are hospitable, energetic, passionate, friendly, helpful and many more. I am proud to be Kansan!

Would you invite me when you get the department manager position? You might just be block away from me. CHEERS buddy!

[hvert]

I don't have any advice, but I have also struggled with those feelings. It's been eight years since I left a senior position at a high prestige (but low-paying) company and I am still sort of sorry about it!

Retail can be a lot of fun and extremely interesting, so I can see why you would like your job.

[CosmicRose]

You know, I never knew people in grocery stores could be embarrassed about their jobs but I've been hearing that recently. I always thought - even growing up - that it was a good middle class job. I was shocked when I started reading or hearing things that said otherwise. There are four people that have personally impacted me at the grocery store - one man is the Manager and he is so nice always asking if I need anything and even after meeting him once he made an effort to remember my name the next time I saw him weeks later, I was surprised when I turned around after hearing someone say "Hello Rose!" and I saw it was the manager of the store. Made my day, even though I probably had a bewildered look on my face lol. The next person was a Cashier, who is always so upbeat and nice and outgoing, he's always cracking jokes and being really charming for a 50+ year old guy! He always makes me laugh and it brightens up my day just knowing those kinds of people actually exist. Then there is the Fish Department guy who always says HELLO when I walk by. These things make a difference more than people probably realize. There's also a cute old man who mops the floors and even though he's quiet I really admire him because he's a hard working man at 60+ years old, I always smile at him and say hi even if he doesn't notice. Grocery store jobs are nothing to be ashamed of, its a very decent career - from young people to old people. I was actually thinking about working in a grocery store bakery because I eventually want to become a baker. My dad was a janitor at a school, then a mechanic, then an electrician at a university. Now retired, he has always been my hero, no matter what his job used to be.

[FourEyesAK]

Did you have expectations in the past about where you would be in your career at this point in your life?

I don't know if that has anything to do with how you're feeling but it's a thought. I know sometimes when I think about my life, I thought I would be further along by now. I have several high achieving friends and I fall into the trap of comparing my life to theirs. You know, "Bob got his law degree and is now a VP at company X making kabillions a year." And here I am, 36, working part time and trying to complete my bachelors degree.

So, I've been trying really hard for the past six months or so to stop comparing my life to others. My life is unique and didn't go as I had planned or hoped, but it wouldn't trade it with anyone else.

I think you have every reason to be proud of your job. If it makes you happy then it doesn't matter what anyone else may or may not think. The only thing that matters is what you think.

[Petra5ed]

If someone were to judge you harshly because you work in a grocery store they're probably an a-hole you don't want to know anyways... but that's just my 2 cents! My favorite job was working in a bagel shop, I liked making coffee and serving simple food, chatting with all the regulars that would come in every week...

[Fresia]

The coolest job to me is when someone finds something that they enjoy doing, can feel a sense of accomplishment, and can actually earn a living at it, triple bonus in my book....gets my vote for the best job no matter what that may be!!! I would forget what everyone else thinks, holding my head high, because most of us are not that fortunate to come across a position like that.

[Raindropvampire]

For some reason it embarrasses my hubby when I say I work at a gas station. He always has to add "She doesn't JUST work there. She's the third shift manager. At night she runs the entire place by herself." So you are not the only one that thinks where you work and what you do matters. Me personally if you like what you do and you can function well at your job then who cares?

[Dan208]

Did you have expectations in the past about where you would be in your career at this point in your life?

Actually, yes. I've been a volunteer firefighter for almost 13 years. I spent quite a few years trying to go full time (really wanted to be a wildland firefighter), but a back injury that got progressively worse coupled with fire departments wanting more and more schooling (tried the college thing twice and I'm just not the college type) dashed those plans.

[cool09]

Don't pay attention to what other people think. If you find something that makes you happy and provides a living for you there's nothing more you could ask for, imo. I'd rather have that than have a job I hate which provides a living for me. You're ahead of the game. More power to you.

You have a great job-- you make sure people who are hungry have the food they need. You know how many millions of people in the world dont have someone like that in their life? You are a blessing to many people by being there, and its a good solid honorable job! Dont be embarassed!

[Little Lulu]

There is a saying in mental health that "our secrets keep us stuck", meaning that hiding things perpetuates our unease. You've made a good start by putting this on the forum. The next step in overcoming this issue might be, when appropriate, telling a few people what you do for a living and not 'explain' yourself or look for approval or disapproval in their response. Each time you consciously do this, it will get easier.

It is refreshing to read a post by someone who loves their job - thanks Dan208.