Posted by TamaraJ on May 26, 2005, at 9:57:54
In reply to I'm afraid of starting work :--(, posted by Deneb on May 25, 2005, at 23:01:43
Jenny,
Try not to deal in "what ifs", ok. I do it too, often, but it really doesn't serve any purpose except to put doubts in your mind and perpetuate unfounded fear. Anyway, I got my first job when I was 15, and it was at a fast food place. I was a very, very shy kid, and remained relatively shy until I was in my 30s, but I did fine. It was scary at first, and I was really nervous serving customers. I remember one of the managers taking me aside and telling me something like "Tamara, you have to look at the customers when you serve them" LOL. So, I started making a real effort to make, and keep, eye contact (red face and all), and it got easier and I started to feel more comfortable. Anyway, it ended up being a very good experience for me. I made even more friends, and ended up with friends from every highschool in the city. And, I started to gain a bit more confidence, which was good too.
And, as for nasty, complaining customers, it is embarrassing when someone goes off on you, but when you really think about it, they are the one that look like a fool. In the years I worked in the service industry, I only had one or two really bad customers, and I remember other customers being so kind and apologizing for the nasty customer.Have faith in yourself. You will do just fine. Good luck.
Tamara
> I have to attend some training on the weekend to help out with my uncle's fast food place. I'm afraid to work...what if I get so nervous that I forget how to count money? What if I can't remember all the dishes served because I'm so terrified? What if my face goes all red while talking to a customer? What if I run into people who know me? What if I can't even do a simple thing like handle the cash register? What if a customer complains and I get so upset and scared that I start to cry and have a panic attack?
> Ohhh...I hate my social anxiety...it is by far the most debilitating of my afflictions. :-(
> How am I ever going to make it in the "real" world? :-(
> I've been getting help on and off since I was 18, if social anxiety is so easy to treat, why am I not cured yet?
>
> Deneb (used to be Shy_Girl)
poster:TamaraJ
thread:502971
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050525/msgs/503148.html