April 18th marked my last day of working at Wal-Mart as a cashier. Wal-Mart was my first job and I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to work there. Not only did I gain experience in the workforce, I was able to improve my social skills as well. Just saying "hello" to someone and asking about how their day went can go a long way.
It's safe to say that I've developed great relationships with some of my customers and co-workers as well. I will always be thankful towards Wal-Mart for taking a chance on me when no other job had the decency to call me back. However, as the months passed, I realized that it wasn't the job for me and that I wanted to seek opportunity elsewhere.
During my 7 month tenure I've had many experiences, both good and bad, as well as humorous and frustrating, that I would like to share:
1. Those People that Always Like to Stare At You
It doesn't matter if I know them or not, I always feel awkward when people just stare at me for NO REASON at all. Especially when little kids stare at you and there's nothing you can do about it. Like honestly, what so interesting about my face. Like could I possibly have my face back? No? Well OK then.
2. When there Are Only Two Lines Open
If you're the one shopping, it may seem like the worst thing ever to have to wait in a long line. Trust me, it's surely better than having to deal with an avalanche of customers, one after the other. It's almost like you can't ever catch a break. Actually experiencing this first hand has helped me become more patient. I feel like you can't really complain about a line taking too long unless you were the one ringing everyone up.
3. Those "I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR MANAGER" Customers
I think that anyone reading this can depict what this person would look like in their heads. These customers are the worst to deal with because they don't take other people into consideration. I've had to deal with quite a few of them so I feel sorry for anyone that has as well. People like this don't want to hear anything that the cashier has to say, and it's like they just pretend you don't exist until your supervisor comes.
4. Big Carts at Speedy Checkout
It's so annoying when I'm on one of the "20 items or less" registers, and someone rolls up with a cart full of merchandise. It's like dude, seriously? I swear people know that they definitely have over 20 items, but they don't have a single care in the world.
5. When People Come In Your Line Even though Your Light is Off
I just look at people then look up at my light just so they can get the message. Some people understand, and I'm grateful for that, but other people just continue to walk down the aisle like they haven't seen a thing. This happened to me one time when I was helping a customer. They had already been in my line before I cut my light off, but imagine my anger when five more carts pull up as well!
6. "Do you think that you could stay for a bit longer?"
This question always cracked me up whenever one of my managers would ask it. I've been here long enough, what makes you think that I would want to stay any longer? I'm sorry that we're understaffed, but that's none of my business. I'M OUT!
There's a lot more for me to complain about, but those are for another time. Overall though, it was fun while it lasted, but I had to get out of there. I'm still going to shop there like nothing ever happened though!