Worst Day of Work EVER.

Today was hell.

My first customer was very demanding and snapping, and no matter what I said or did, and believe me, I did nothing wrong, she'd throw up her hands and roll her eyes and say, "this is why I don't come here".

1. She asked if I had Tube Cut cigarette tubes. She wanted one no three no five no one no whatever the hell I had. Fine, whatever, she'll take them all.

2. YES SHE WANTED A BAG. JESUS, THIS IS WHY SHE DOESN'T COME HERE.

3. Oh jeez it's how much, yes, whatever, god why do I even come here.

4. GOOD GOD WHY ARE YOU TAKING IT OUT OF THE WRAPPING!?

Me: Because that's how it has to scan?

See, this is why I don't come here.

*me with my heart pounding out of my chest trying to quickly bag her items*

5. You can do it, that's right.

6. Me: Have a KIND day.
*big smiles!* Well, you too, thanks!

2nd customer:

DO YOU HAVE FISH!? WHERE'S THE FISH!?

Me: Right behind you, but we only sell--

*runs off*

THAT FISH IS DEAAAAADDDD!!!!!!!

It's not dead, it's just lying on its side.

And WHY is it's on it's side?

Because it's been overfed.

*scoffs* Well I'll just HAVE to report THAT.

All day long, it's been like this. No matter how friendly I'd try to be, I'd get knocked down. If I try to have light conversation, it's just snap snap snap give me my ****.

And all day long, I've been fuming because I left the job I loved, one where I saved people's lives, helped people die with dignity, bathe people, feed people, and was APPRECIATED, and now here I am treated like dirt and filth and garbage and everyone assumes I'm an idiot because "I'm JUST a cashier".

How am I supposed to be confident about my job when everyone just assumes I'm dumb and stupid and won't move on to anything better? How am I supposed to be confident about a job when people don't even acknowledge me as a human being...How am I supposed to be confident about my job when I CAN'T talk back to the customer?

I hate working at a job where I am not making a difference and where I'm not appreciated, but I checked indeed and there's nothing there for me. I'm frustrated because I have too big of a heart for retail, and ringing up a customer just isn't rewarding to me. But I'm stuck and I'm mad.

HELP!

Sorry about your bad day. Does your supervisor train staff regarding how to respond to difficult customers. In retail, the saying may go “the customer is always right”, but that is not always the case. In my present job I often speak to clients on the phone and some are angry at the organization and/or have known severe mental illness or trauma history. So as a result focus on calming them down and approach it as “I understand you are upset, and how can I help.” Sometimes it is just a really difficult situation to be able to help or convince them so have my supervisor speak to them.

I wonder if you just need a thicker skin?

I do think people who work in retail do make a difference. Maybe not same difference as a doctor. But sometimes a job is just a job. Paycheck. I worked in retail and waited tables and clean houses on the side or full time a lot. Who cares if customer is rude. It’s not like they are my family. They are strangers

I still work one night a week at the store. Kind of a habit I guess. Doesn’t bother me. I don’t care what customers think about me. I wonder why you care what they think about you?

PS I’d not tell them that fish is over fed (why is it over fed? Whoever is in charge doesn’t do their job right, it’s kind of neglectful). If they want to know something about fish and you aren’t in charge of them, tell them you’ll call a manager. Let managers deal with this.

I do need a thicker skin. I just don't know how to do that. It bothers me to be so sensitive when everyone else can shrug it off, it really affects me when people mistreat me and be so rude.

I'm really sorry you had to tolerate those people. Is there any way you can look for a job that is less "customer-facing?"

Re you OP, I feel for you.

I need a thicker skin too, but I wonder if the beginning of being able to cope with this kind of stuff is self care and retreating. Like when you leave work, do things you enjoy and be around people you love and who make you feel good. I just think it could at least take the edge off by putting you in a better mood. We are much more able to cope w the carp that comes our way when we are feeling good.

I hope you get your dream job someday again, working with the elderly and caretaking.

We’ll look at it this way. When elderly patients are rude, you won’t take it personally because you know they are unwell. Look at it this way that your customers might also be unwell, physically or mentally, and that’s why they are rude.

Also I think you might be assigning motives to people. Like they think you are dumb because you are a cashier. Maybe because you yourself think this job is dumb and kind of beneath you you think others might feel this way about you. But they likely can’t care less. When I shop or eat out the last thing I on my mind is that these people must be dumb. Why would anyone think that? Maybe if you try not to look down on your own job title/task, you’d not think others do either. Be proud of what you do. It’s a hard job

There are many reasons people work in retail: They like it, they think it’s fun, want to grow into management role, going to school, need extra income or just for a paycheck etc Dumbness has nothing to do with it.

Now as about rude customers… if they are rude to the point of calling you names or other aggressive stuff, you don’t have to serve them and are within your rights to call manager up front. If they are just generally obnoxious, then say something like “I am sorry you feel this way, hope your day gets better”. Or something sugary fake “have a wonderful day”. Smile. Then hold middle finger behind your back.

Sorry this happened to you Literary Lark, fwiw I also suspect it’s not that these customers think you’re dumb - they just don’t know how to behave nicely in public. As for Mrs “This is why I never shop here” …. She just did, you’re not the dumb one there!

Hugs!