Mad/angry/upset/bad customers suck the life out of you. I got a really mad lady early on in my day. She railed about the couponing system, she railed about her printer issues, she railed about our store stock, she railed about stores not having exactly what she wanted in general.....
I couldnt do anything to help her (seriously, what can you do for these people? They want to whine and they know you HAVE to sit there and listen to them. I might as well have a degree in counseling....), so I nodded and moved her selections across the laser beam and I bagged them with a serious face and apologized as sincerely as I could and expressed wishes that the rest of her day would not be as terrible as it had been so far.
She stopped and looked me in the eye for about a half-second.
I dont know, but I might have made her happy.
She didnt say anything else and left without complaining any more.
The rest of the day I struggled to smile and speak to people. Our store is doing a new promo and out of 20-some stores we are ranking 5th for people signing up. I personally am trying really hard, because not only is it a great promo, but it is good for customers and good for my rep. at the store.
I officially applied for promotion to bookkeeper and was interviewed. It was really good for me, because talking with the new CSM about stuff I really got a feel for what she expected of me and what she wanted out of her cashiers and book keepers, and front end in general. She outright said that I was bookkeeper material and that if not soon, at least by the time I had been working for 6 months. She even mentioned becoming front end manager if I could get enough experience. I was not able to keep my composure during the talk, specifically when she mentioned that she felt I was afraid and holding back and she wanted me to be myself.
M. keeps telling me that I need to not be afraid of "the sky falling" in on me all the time, too.
Ever since that interview I have really felt more comfortable at work. I know I am quick and competent at what I do. I am really strong, so getting carts isn't a problem, and I am getting to be more familiar with the store and the products, so I can direct people to where stuff is. I dont have a problem answering phones or making paging announcements, and I clean like Monk. (seriously, the amount of dust and grime that can accumulate in one 8-hour shift could boggle the mind....)
I am flexible and dedicated, so I switch shifts with people, I fill in, I can come in on call when others cant show, and people owe me. Seriously, I have helped out just about every girl (and the gay guy) there as far as shifts and stuff.
I am really helpful in the food service area and am the person of choice according to two employees when it comes to break time. Again, my cleaning skills come in handy, as the one girl doesnt clean while she works, and the other guy needs to lighten up and I am bright and cheery most of the time.
Customers are starting to remember me, and one regular (lunch customer) noticed today that I was wearing contacts instead of glasses. It really made me feel like I belonged.
My grandparents and sister were able to come down and see me for two days a couple weeks ago. It was so nice being with them. We went to the store twice and I showed them around, had them taste everything, and introduced them to people. They were amazed that I knew every one's name. Funny, I just memorized the name tags. haha.
My sister got me a month's membership at a gym right near work, and I am enjoying the pool tremendously. I haven't had too many really bad days in the month that I have been going there. I alternate swimming every other day and do ab or muscle targeting other days (mostly because the chlorine does wacky things to my hair). I have started making an effort to attend exercise classes, just getting out of my comfort zone some and doing new things. The water aerobics class was a lot of fun, not really exercise for me. Mostly older ladies, but all very nice and talkative. They asked me my name, noted that I was wearing a Northwoods hoodie (yes, Journey remnant), and gave me tips on doing everything right.
The other class I went to, thinking it was Zumba, but it turns out it was Latin Dance (exercise, not dancing). I never knew I had so many different muscles that could hurt. I felt strangely uncoordinated, and out of place, but it was fun because after wards two girls came up and talked with me and showed me the correct way to "pump" my abs and encouraged me to come again. :D
I am of course, gloriously excited about the weather, having 60-some degree days most of this week. Today on my lunch break I sat outside for the first time since October or early November. It was almost 70 and the sun was bright and the wind was mild.
In short, life has been mostly looking up.
I have had bad days, and some really, really bad nights of up-until-3-crying (wait.... its 2:30, and Im crying....) but I have been able to get up the next day and move on. I keep working at it.
Because I can never get too lost.
3 comments:
That sounds like fun! I've heard if you shower immediately after swimming, the chlorine won't damage your hair as much.
Haha, cleaning like Monk! I love monk!!!
I'm glad you're feeling more comfortable at work! It's nice to feel like you belong. ;)
You are amazing!!! :-D
On the chlorine and hair... my sister, who is a hair freak, says that if you soak your hair with non-pool water before you get in, the chlorine won't do as much damage because the hair won't absorb as much seeing as it is already wet.
I just asked her about it (since she walked in the room), and she says a baking soda rinse immediately afterwards helps, as does saturating the hair in club soda (huh what? :P ) before getting in (or a club soda rinse afterwards).
Anyways, there's some more ideas... ;)
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