Register
metaphor • 28 September 2013 at 11:32 PM
So today I was at work. As you may know, I work at a pet store...in the BACK of the store. Meaning I rarely ever have to interact with people, let alone customers. Just birds.Well, unfortunately, in order to punch out for lunch and breaks, I have to go to the front of the store--where the customers are. This causes a great deal of anxiety for me because I'm not experienced in dealing with customers at all. For the past several weeks, I've been successful with making it to the front of the store, punching in and out, and then retreating to the back of the store once again. Unfortunately, today I got approached by two customers, some older women. I tried hard not to freak out, and did my best to help. There was no one around to help assist me, so I just said something along the lines of, "I apologize, I am not familiar with that particular product, but I will go find someone who will help you!" And I did. I'm kind of proud of myself. But I feel as though I did something wrong. I have a lot of trouble with giving eye contact. I tried my hardest and thought I did okay, even I was a nervous wreck. But when I got back to the two women, they seem kind of annoyed with me. I don't know. I know it's all part of working in retail and why it's a good thing I don't have to do any of that customer interaction stuff. I know that customers can be kind of aloof, even without meaning to, but I'd have a very hard time not taking it personally. *sigh* You live and you learn, I suppose. 😋
squijum01 • 29 September 2013 at 8:28 AM
@metaphorActually you handled the situation very well. You were honest and offered to help them. The worst response would have been "That's not my department." In regards to them feeling annoyed with you...I wouldn't take it personally. Having worked in retail for almost 10 years I can tell you customers will take the littlest things the wrong way.
fakeworld • 29 September 2013 at 1:33 PM
@metaphor Yeah, you handled the situation at a professional type of level and that was a good thing, something a lot of employees don't have now a days when it comes to dealing with customers. I would be proud of myself too 😊
spiritkoi • 29 September 2013 at 1:37 PM
@metaphor You did better than I would have done in your situation.
metaphor • 29 September 2013 at 2:27 PM
Thanks, guys; that made me feel a lot better about it. I always beat myself up for being so awkward all the time; it's something that I'm working on. Everything just seems worse in my head than it probably actually is. For all I know, those women weren't annoyed with me at all. I just perceived that to be the case because I always assume I have no idea what I'm doing. 😋
victorythevaporeon • 29 September 2013 at 4:34 PM
@metaphor I can't get a job yet, but you definately did a good job.And about them being annoyed, customers always get annoyed.Ignore it