My first job at a coffee shop made me realize I hate small talk

Had a customer yesterday ask me how my day was for the 50th time and I just snapped and said 'same as the last time you asked' which was awkward. Why do people think we wanna hear about their dog's vet visit when there's a line of 12 people?

3 comments

3 Comments

blairc9029d ago

Yeah that's brutal. I feel for you, people don't realize you're just trying to do your job, not make a friend.

nelson.vera29d ago

My sister works at a grocery store and people get mad at her for not remembering their usual order. Like she's supposed to memorize everyone's shopping list after seeing them twice. That's the part nobody talks about in customer service, how they expect you to be a mind reader and a personal assistant all in one. You're just trying to scan items and move on with your day, but they treat every interaction like a chance to become best friends. It's almost like we forgot that cashiers and waitstaff and clerks are just people doing a job, not our personal companions. Isn't that the whole problem now, everyone acting like every small transaction needs to be a deep human connection?

kim_ramirez328d ago

People really don't get that you're a human being with limits, not a robot programmed to smile and nod forever. That line about the dog's vet visit hit home, I've had customers tell me their whole life story while I'm trying to keep the line moving and it's like, sorry but I have 15 other people waiting for their drinks and I can't remember your dog's name Dave. The worst is when they get offended that you don't remember their usual order after one visit, like sorry I don't have a photographic memory of every customer's life. Its exhausting trying to be nice all day when people treat you like a therapist with an espresso machine.