Do I really have a “bad attitude”, or am I just in the wrong line of work?
I have two jobs. I work part-time as a Spanish tutor/receptionist in a college tutoring lab, and I really enjoy it. I also work as a cashier at a convenience store, and well, I wouldn’t say that it’s the best job I’ve ever had, but I wouldn’t say it’s the worst, either. Even though I like some of my coworkers at the convenience store and the work there is easy, I still often find myself getting irritated with some of the customers. Despite the fact that I haven’t said anything snotty to the customers, some of them have said that I have a bad attitude. I guess that when I’m in a bad mood, it shows, whether I want it to or not and regardless of whether I say anything. However, my supervisor at the college says that I don’t come across has having a bad attitude. She says I’m not the most cheerful person in the world, but I’ve never behaved inappropriately in the tutoring lab, either. I have a history of clinical depression, anxiety, and ADHD, so I’m sure those things play a role. However,
is my main problem an “attitude problem”, or am I just in the wrong line of work as far as the convenience store is concerned?
April 7th, 2010 at 11:05 am
Retail is hell. Customers expect you to be nicer than nice. It’s ridiculous. If I were you I’d try to get more tutoring work so you can quit the store – it sounds like you are much more suited to this.
April 7th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
No disrespect intended to you or any other convience store clerks but the folks that told you that you have a bad attitude obviously don’t have a whole lot goin on in their lives if the chick that sells them cigarettes and gas’s attitude bothers them
April 7th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I don’t know how you put up with retail. I can NOT deal with customers. I don’t think I have a bad attitude, some people are just suited better for certain jobs than others. I’d love to be able to help people like you do and tutor, a one on one job. I have bad anxiety as well, I understand where youre coming from.. i’ve been told that I had a bad attitude when around customers but I mean, come on..
I guess it’s just not for me, and obviously not for you either. Stick with the tutoring.
April 7th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
crappy dead end jobs usually don’t make anyone happy go tutor some more
April 7th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
working in the public takes a certain type of person to handle the public. it seems people want to use clerks, waitresses and hostesses as peons. it is the worst job you can have if you dont have tough skin. i have smiled and been nice when what you want to do is throw them out. the customer is always right regardless. find something else that pleases you.
April 7th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Probably both from the sound of it. Not that that’s a bad thing. You’re probably meant to be in charge of your own well being and this is life telling you that.
April 7th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Sounds to me that if you are a tutor, you probably have more education than what is needed for a convenience store, and you probably have a bad attitude because of this. It isn’t always the case, but I think if you had something a bit more challenging you probably wouldn’t be like that.
April 7th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
If you’re happy and enjoy tutoring students in spanish, then I can see how working as a cashier could bring on an unintentional “bad attitude”. You seem to find contentment in helping others, and in feeling accomplished when your students are learning. Having two jobs is difficult, especially when one is not fulfilling, and the other is. You’re also probably tired by the time you get to your second job, and that causes stress and stress causes irritability (in some). Good luck!
April 7th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Darling I don’t think you are, we all have times that are not our best. Just hang in there.