That's a tough one! I have my fingers crossed for you! This is particularly tough for those in higher-weight bodies, due to internal and external stigmas and pressures. Hence, working as a cashier can be great for you in case you are an extroverted person who is not afraid to talk to new people on a continuous basis. Where does the fear come from? Edit: Thanks for all the tips and encouraging words! I made a lot of good money as a waitress and worked barely 20 hours a week in college, a lot less than what a cashier has to work in order to make the same money. Cashiers would love it if youd quit doing that. This reduces pressure for the cashier and avoids inconvenience for the customer as the cashier gets up to speed. Then you will realize there is nothing to be afraid of. The first day on the job makes most people nervous- people will generally empathize with you and remember THEIR first day. Originally Answered: How does a person with social anxiety work as a cashier? and I'm really nervous. So maybe the cashier is having just as hard time as you. This triggers what he describes as safety signals, which make anxious shoppers feel better in the moment, but can backfire in the long run. Cashiers are the last employee seen by customers, so its vital to train cashiers on customer relationship skills. I get a lot of repeat customers, so me & my team just make fun of the terrible customers to add levity to the situation. I remember so much if it started to turn into small talk or a social situation at all I'd freeze up and sink into the corner. Cashiers stop fraud. The Ascent is a Motley Fool service that rates and reviews essential products for your everyday money matters. WebBeing a cashier is scary, its scary for me. Hence, make sure that you are willing to deal with snarky comments in this regard and that you have a stable mindset to ignore those people who will try to bring you down. Thanks for this, it really helps. You may never see that person ever again so it doesn't particularly matter how the encounter goes. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). rudest things you can do in a grocery store, 21 things that go on behind the aisles in a grocery store that you probably dont know about, time where its better to break out your credit card than pay cash, 50 money-saving secrets from your favorite stores, 13 rudest things people do at the grocery store, these are the stores with the best policies, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You just have to be there for a few seconds and then your done, the cashier is trapped there for the day. Being a Cashier can be mentally hard Starting at the same screen, scanning and bagging items over and over again can become boring and be hard mentally. All of these factors combine to make them easy triggers for anxiety. In turn, you will also not be able to make any long-term commitments as a cashier and also banks will likely not lend you money to buy a home and so on. While most people are nice, some may even make fun of you. They are also responsible for returning customers the correct change. In the beginning you can bring someone with you and ask them to pay while you stand there and just get used to being there, and after a while you can take over and pay. The Struggles Of Being A Cashier 1. They may not have 100 bottles of olive oil. Motivation works temporarily and I'm not suicidal but feel it's pointless to live like this. Take your time and one customer at a time. People who just in general find something to complain about. I think there's alot of evil around money, and cashiers are working with money all day. WebBut don't be afraid to call a CSM (manager) at the first sign of trouble. They aren't there to judge or harass you, they're just trying to help you buy whatever it is you need. As the last employee a customer interacts with before leaving the store, a cashier creates a lasting impression that can encourage patrons to return. Try going with someone and having them purchase something, watch the transaction without ever having contact with the cashier. A family member thinks I am lying about where I am going but I'm not, what should I do? Also make sure to check out the following articles: Advantages and disadvantages of working as a translator, Advantages and disadvantages of working as an animal trainer, Advantages and disadvantages of working as a babysitter, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes412011.htm. Neither mentally nor physically demanding most of the time. This helps the new employee to feel like part of the team. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. They are just normal people trying to earn a living. Grocery store anxiety is on a severity continuum. If you think about it it's actually one of the lowest-risk interactions you can have. You are an amazing person and you can do anything. if you flash them a smile or say goodbye when you leave, they might do the same for you and both of you have a nicer day. As part of the onboarding process, these tools can include training materials and a checklist of the POS competencies expected of cashiers by the end of their training period. Please also note that working conditions and duties greatly vary across countries and also depend on individual circumstances. Here are a few important items to include in a cashiers training toolkit. For instance, if an item was entered incorrectly, the cashier should know how to void that item. Working the express register. Because cashiers face many situations on the job, here are some that youll want to cover. My social anxiety used to paralyze me when I was shopping but now I try to recall that these people are human and that a smile or a nice greeting from customers can make their day, the same way a lovely interaction could brighten mine. But that doesnt mean we dont cringe while doing it. Inevitably there will be one customer who parks their cart in a line and then proceeds to run around the store grabbing everything they need. trust me it helps. I dont know about you, but most of my exchanges with cashiers are not that meaningful.. In addition, cover common troubleshooting scenarios as part of the cashier training. Prepare for it mentally first. Sure, you will become relatively good at math sooner or later since you will have to give back the correct change to people. Chapman suggests a similar approach for his agoraphobia clients, although he recommends they confront their physical limitations, too. It is our job to give you the best experience and often we are just as scared as you having to speak to so many people we dont know everyday. Just remember - they're normal people too! While these adjustments are all well and good, Chapman said facing even the worst grocery stores head-on is the only long-term cure for this kind of anxiety. In fact, I show you all pros and cons of being a cashier in the following chapters. However, you will just not work more than 40 hours most of the time and this allows you to spend plenty of leisure on the things you like more apart from work. Provide the new cashier with an employee handbook and an onboarding checklist immediately so they can begin learning about the company, their benefits, and other key information. As a cashier practices what to do in each scenario, they also deepen their knowledge of the POS system. Because the cashier impacts the customer experience and the handling of sales so directly, investing in a strong cashier onboarding and training process is essential for retail stores to succeed. Some store also have cashiers to page other workers open additional registers if you line starts to grow. then after that try talking to them. How can I get what I need from my doctor? It makes us feel better studies show. Company has control over the price. Once a cashier understands the POS system, store policies and procedures, and what to do in various situations, its time to put the cashier in front of real customers. Try an be calm, and if you want to back out you can, but you need to believe in yourself! Also it would be great to be introduced to a cashier out of uniform. Grocery store anxiety is on a severity continuum. You are the one shopping, if you dont like the prices then dont shop here, says Lee. Trust me this works overtime, it worked for me. Know that they are people too. As you can see, financial problems related to a low wage can cause various problems and you should make sure that you are willing to deal with those things before you decide for a career as a cashier. I didn't understand how to until I became a cashier one day. Vary the day of the week, whether youre going with or without someone, leaving your phone in the car these are all variables that manage the associated distress, he said. You dont need any courses or even a college degree. To achieve this objective, allow the cashier to gain familiarity with the POS equipment and software before being asked to work the register in front of customers. Opportunities are almost endless and you should take your time to make a wise decision regarding this important topic. To identify the cause, you may try speaking to a trusty friend or writing your thoughts down in a journal. Again, do not be afraid to For instance, if you work in a grocery store, you may get cheaper groceries. Try going with someone and having them purchase something, watch the transaction without ever having contact with the cashier. Sure, you may still have to do some physical work. Never give up or give in,continue to face this fear every chance you get, this will help you gain courage. You can bring a friend as often as you like until you're comfortable enough to go by yourself :). I feel extremely sick whenever I leave my house, what can I do? That checklist can include mastery of the POS system and procedures like issuing and redeeming gift cards and handling price adjustments. But they are just people. This type of positive and uplifting store interaction could curb your own grocery anxiety, too. The Struggles Of Being A Cashier 1. Now they have pictures of the food on the screens so it should not be that hard. How do you process a refund? According to the Mayo Clinic, agoraphobia often develops after a person has experienced a panic attack, which typically stems from a biological predisposition paired with generalized and specific learning experiences that teach the individual to perceive the physical symptoms of fear as dangerous, Chapman said. About the experience part: start out at a chain. Compensation may impact the order of which offers appear on page, but our editorial opinions and ratings are not influenced by compensation. Maybe youre just venting about the cost of living these days, but please dont complain about the stores prices to the cashiers. Have them examine the various components such as how to look up customer information or initiate a return. They will require some monitoring and coaching in the beginning to reinforce what they learned in training, but over time, they will be in a position to efficiently and accurately process transactions while bolstering positive customer relationships. Yet, apart from that, you will not learn many things that are valuable in the job market. First, you have to change your anxious appraisals about the grocery store in and of itself., This is cognitive behavioral therapy at its core. I'm going in for training now, wish me luck! Or whatever they tell you. Not only does a good checkout experience create a positive experience for customers, that experience can translate into the customer recommending your store to others, leading to customer acquisition. Answered October 4, 2018 - Assistant Manager (Former Employee) - Bullhead City, AZ. This isnt a garage sale, says Morgan Winter, who has worked in retail for over a decade. Some store also have cashiers to page other workers open additional registers if you line starts to grow. WebDisadvantages of Working as a Cashier Cashiers are replaceable Many cashiers will lose their jobs in the future Cashiers dont make good money Many cashiers need a second job You will not be able to afford any luxury Hard to plan your life in general Cashiers have a rather low social standing Overweight may become a problem Thus, no job is the same and job descriptions may not completely fit your individual experiences. Another disadvantage of becoming a cashier is that you will also not learn that many valuable skills. I offer you compassion and support on your unique journey. Walk the cashier through the POS system. Grocery store anxiety is on a continuum, he said. Cashiers are normal people just like you and me (which might sound patronising but it's true!) This includes retailers, grocery stores and many others. You don't even think about it when you are ringing upitems. How can I convince myself that my friends don't hate me? A cashier who is tired or bored may end up handing out too much money in change, ending with a shortfall in the days takings. Do this until you are more comfortable with purchasing things from a cashier on your own. Grocery store anxiety is on a continuum, he said. Consequently, even if you work hard, it may not be enough to make real progress in this field. I was one for a year and it was like I was an NPC from the Pokemon Center. WebCombine that with being a socially anxious person, AND working as a cashier (a very people centered role), one could be significantly overwhelmed! Remember that they might be just as anxious as you are. Tomas E. Gaston Some people aren't nice, yeah, but most people are. What Types of Homeowners Insurance Policies Are Available? Several of the cashiers we spoke with expressed frustration with customers paying in coins. 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