Embarrassed to go back to work tomorrow

[Jenitals]

I work a part-time job in a bar which is popular amongst students and locals, it gets especially busy on race nights and I have trouble keeping up with everything. However, last week I was trying to serve a rather rowdy, obnoxious woman when suddenly a glass was thrown and smashed amongst the crowd, I asked her if she was alright when she turned to me and started raving and ranting about the price of her drink and calling me an idiot ****. I'd been railed on at that point by my supervisor who was equally stressed out. It took me by surprise to the point where I just burst into tears, right then and there, other staff were lovely and asked if I was alright but I had to leave the bar and go out back, then even worse, my manager came down and saw me, told me to take a breather and get back out there. I can't tell if this is a usual occurrence or not but as someone who's never worked behind a bar before I feel completely inadequate compared to everyone else.

 

[JasonBurnout16]

Ah don't let it bother you, just shrug it off. People get rowdy when they get drunk, you can't let that sort of thing stick in your mind.

I'm training to be a teacher - if I let every time a student calls me a bad name get to me then I'll be a wreck by the end of the first week.

 

[Muspelheim]

You're new on the line, things like that happen. It's worst the first times, but it'll get better. Some people can't just bloody behave.

Remember; it wasn't personal. She was mad about something, and you were the closest thing around to use as a punching bag. Further, she was wrong in doing that. While it's important having patience with customers when providing service, you don't have to take everything, and most would agree that the customer has overstepped their rights when they call the bartender a ****. It's a pointless waste of breath, don't give that any importance.

You could ask the manager about the policies surrounding those situations, I imagine most bars have something you're expected to do in those circumstances, and it's better to stick to the script. Some demand more from the customer's behaviour than others.

It's a very stressful job. But it'll be easier as you get used to it. You often do feel inadequite at the start, but everyone has to start somewhere and get better. After some time, it feels akin to surfing the stress wave, rather than being swamped by it. And remember, stressed supervisors and managers happen. It's not personal, even if it feels like that sometime. Just keep doing your best.

The manager was right with the recommendation, though. Get some air, get back out there. It'll get better. See the incident as a stepping stone of sorts. It might feel a bit embarrasing, but things like that happen. Once more; it'll get better.

(Spoken as a waiter/till sitter/sandvich assembler, admittadly, but still)

 

[Jenitals]

snip

Wow, that is terrible, if I had to deal with that sort of crap I'd have left ages ago. You're right about everything though, the pay especially is shit, but bar work is the best thing for a CV if you're looking for part-time jobs and other than the bad customers, I love the social aspect. You can always relate to the other bar tenders because they all have this seasoned hatred for stupid drunks and some of the punters are a laugh.

 

[Jenitals]

The manager was right with the recommendation, though. Get some air, get back out there. It'll get better. See the incident as a stepping stone of sorts. It might feel a bit embarrasing, but things like that happen. Once more; it'll get better.

(Spoken as a waiter/till sitter/sandvich assembler, admittadly, but still)

Yeah, the manager was very reasonable, I just wasn't sure if what I did was completely unheard of but I've since found out that one girl walked an hour into her shift on a race night so I guess not. Anyway, I went in and it was all fine, your advice is very encouraging, I'll bare it in mind in future.

 

[marioandsonic]

Ah, the joys of working in retail...

Sorry that that happened to you. Unfortunately, all I can tell you is to try to forget about it, relax, and keep working.

 

[Twinrehz]

I haven't worked in a bar, and working the cash register in a store isn't QUITE as bad, but I've been involved in some incidents, though so far only one has made me cry. A guy lashed out at me for wanting to see what a foreign guy ahead of him in line who didn't speak my language had in his bag, the exchange was a bit troublesome, but this guy yelled at me, probably thinking I was racist or something, completely oblivious to the fact that it's my fucking job to see what people have in their shopping bags and make sure they don't steal anything. I also don't check EVERY single bag, or the line would be backed up for days, the store I work in is in a mall, so I randomly check here and there.

I'm not very used to other people, I spend most of my spare time avoiding them, and suddenly having one jumping on me like this was very unsettling and difficult to shrug off. I've had to move on, but the experience has wounded me quite a bit.

I applaud those who do work in a bar, though, the environment is loud and stressful. I'd absolutely hate such a job.

 

[lee1287]

Walk in, and act normal, if anyone mentions it just laugh it off, or something. Don't get offended by people bringing it up, or mentioning it.