I work as a cashier at a gas station in a small town. I work almost every night closing shifts, and I try to be nice to everyone who comes into my store. However, there are a few regular customers who stop by multiple times a night while I’m working, and my coworkers have noticed that they only come by several times a night if I’m working. One guy even lingers for hours (once he stayed until after closing) and he’s been called out about it once. One person has even found me on Facebook and started sending me messages. Is it because I’m nice they just assume that I’m interested? How do I handle customers like that without being rude? My boyfriend has hung around my work, it’s a small town so these regular customers know who he is. I don’t want to sound conceited but it does make me uncomfortable sometimes.
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I would certainly let your supervisor know about this, and ask for their assistance. This is beyond annoying, it interferes with your work, but not only this: it could be dangerous. You don't know these characters and they could be looking for someone to victimize. Your boyfriend can't be there all the time. Maybe you should consider changing to a daytime shift, if you can; or, as a last resort, even quitting. Be safe rather than sorry.
This would tell me you're in the wrong job.
These guys are hanging around because they see a pretty girl they believe is available.
Itisn't safe, especially at night, especially at a place where you are either alone or in a situation where you have virtually no protection.
There is no way you are being paid enough to take this risk. Find another job where you are either in a larger group of people- such as in a grocery store- or only work during the day. Working at a gas station is far too isolated for you to be safe, and people who will come sniffing around like this are already not safe to be near. Your employer isn't going to protect you- you need to find a better situation in which to work. This just isn't safe.
Yes
Tell them to please stop hanging around because you are afraid it will cause you to lose your job.
Yes, be careful about these ones..they shouldn't be "hanging around" as you say. Be professional but be blunt, " Sorry, I do have to get back to my work and my other customers, is there anything else that I can do for you?' or maybe " I don't mean to be rude, but your presence is making me uncomfortable.."
maybe you should talk to your manager about it, he might have some suggestions
Have one of your co-workers ask them to not loiter and hope they don't have to call the cops.
Kindness does not mean being a door mat. It does not mean you can let them do anything. Who are kinder people than parents that raise children? But what kind of parent would let a toddler pick up and break anything they wanted in a grocery store? What kind of parent would permit their child to bully others or walk around a busy street unsupervised just because they want to?
Who are kinder than soup kitchen volunteers. Would these same volunteers let clients have all the food they wanted or permit them to trash the place during meal times or beat up other clients? No they would protect the food so that all could eat and ensure the health and safety of everyone.
It is time for you to use some judgment. Maybe some people need to be banned from the store. Maybe you need to call the police on people who loiter. Maybe you need to let people know that you are there for a job and that you do not appreciate being stalked. And you need to let you managers know.
You may have to be blunt. "I hate to be rude, but I'm on the clock and have work to do. I don't have time to chat."
Tell your manager and many friends and family. It could be a stalker or serial killer or rapists looking for an opportunity