Anyone else work as a cashier?

[Galadriel]

Hey all,


Just wondering if anyone else does. I was wondering how you liked/disliked it. I just started work as one (as you may know from another thread). Im curious to "compare notes" some. Does emet make it more difficult for you? Where I work, the bathroom is at the other end of the store, and yea I sometimes worry like if I felt sick or something. William (my bf) was tellin me how many times people come in to work v*ing, and how sometimes the boss still wants you to be there. I don't understand that, and well Id hope my boss isn't like that, because well you know how it is being emet. The thought of being at work and sick like that is just a nightmare.

[ontariogirl]

When I was 20 I worked as a cashier, it didn't last long for me. Not only because of the phobia but my boss and her workers would make fun of me, just stupid things. I know you will do fine, when you are working your mind is kept busy. The busier you are you will notice time will fly. You will be fine. Just take your hand sanitizer with you, take your pills just in case you need them, but overall Galadriel you will be fine. Focus on work.[img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[jennyleigh1975]

I think you will be fine. Try to enjoy your job, I am sure working with the public will be interesting. I know it will. I have worked as a cashier, and even in a docs office. I worked in a family practice docs office for 2 yrs and never once got sick with "V" or even saw any. Although, I know it happened. I hope that your boss in understanding of people being sick, I think it is horrible for someone to still want others to work when they are sick. Dont these people know that is how germs are spread?

ANYWAY .............................

Just keep your hands clean and out of your face and I know you will be fine!!!!

[SimplyMe]

Yes, I have worked as a cashier as well in a few different places a total of about 4 or 5 years and it was fine. I just made sure I washed my hands before touching my face or eating after handling all of that money. EWW. But it's actually kind of fun because you get regulars and get to tlak w/ people and learn about them. I hope you enjoy it. Try not to worry about being sick, I know it's hard to do, but as far as a boss not letting people go home, yeah some don't but then some do and you are not in school so it's not like that where they can MAKE you stay, you could go if you needed to. Hope this helps!

[skinnyme]

I have worked at several places as a counter person/ cashier... but this was pre-emet. I think the most important part of this is you will have fun, meet new people and your mind will be occupied as to not have emet on it so much. Have fun and let us know how you like it.

[ejb199]

Galadriel,
i worked as a cashier for ages at our supermarket chain Sainsburys. i had a rough time when i started - i was only 16 - but after that and coz i needed the money it got much easier.

just focus on work and think about the mone ull be earning!! Saving for ur wedding hey!

ems xx

[Galadriel]

Thank you for the
replies! Yeah Ive noticed the busier it is the more time flies! I guess
tho I get nervous, like what if I forgot to do something or messed up
someones ringing goods, or forgot to do the special thing where you
have to have ID for checks or something. Argh! I guess tho after awhile
it becomes second nature.



-Ontariogirl, geez that is rotten that they made fun of you. Some
people are just rotten. Your right tho about it being good, because my
mind will be busy!



-Jennyleigh, your brave for working at a docs office! I suppose the
times one comes into contact with sickness like that are relatively few
compared to all the days of the year that are spent at work.



-SimplyMe, yea I definately have been washing my hands like a fanatic!
Wash em before eating, before and after br breaks, so yea I got that
down lol, espeically dealing with icky money!



Skinnyme, your right about my mind being more occupied, whew the first
day my head was spinning with all this stuff I had to know!



Ems, Wow, starting at 16! Yeah I bet that was rough at first, but it
gets easier doesn't it? Lol yea Im definately putting some back for
future use. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

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[SimplyMe]

You are right, it will all become second nature and even then mistakes get made, it's OK to screw up sometimes, we all do it! Good luck!

[snowangel]

Its actually not that bad working as a cashier. I did it for 8 years staright and never got the flu-ever. I was the most healthiest back then, in fact. Hand sanitizer, frequent hand washing and you will be just fine.

PS. I was a cashier in a pharmacy, what could be worse?

[Galadriel]

Wow snowangel! 8
years is a long time, I bet you were very good at it! Yeah I'll just
keep as clean as possible and should be okay.



Simply me, yea I know everyone makes mistakes. Still tho I feel like
"argh must not make any!" but well all we can do is our best.

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[snowangel]

I loved the job...at the time it was perfect for me. You will be fine dont worry [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[2jo2]

snowangel, I was a cashier for 2 years in a pharmacy too! With all the sick people coming in and out of there constantly, I never once saw anyone v*. I think it's a pretty rare occurance. I have been a cashier at McDonalds during high school, a jewelry store, pharmacy, a floral shop.... everyone's right, it's kind of fun! Have a good time at your new job! And stay homeif you're sick... it's not like they can force you to come in. Right? Sure some people are made to feel like they have to, do you have an employee handbook you can look at to see what the rules are? I always feel more in control if I am prepared and know what to do.

[ChippedAway]

Not a cashier now, but a bank teller. I used to be a cashier.


My first job (outside of working at a summer camp) was cashiering at Menards (which is like a Home Depot, big box store, really common in the midwest) and it was pretty fun, I liked my coworkers, and a lot of contractors and home decorators came in and had really interesting stories. It was fun.


Next I was a cashier at Arbys, I didn't like that at all. Handling food just grossed me out (especially the meat) and I was 18 working with a bunch of 14-16 year olds and my boss treated me more like a babysitter than anything (i.e. "why did you let him do that..." duh you're the boss, not me)


Then I got a job at a bank near me, that didn't last very long. Now I have been at the bank I am currently at for over 2 years. I like the people and some of my customers, but don't care for some of the customers or the company itself. We keep bottles of Purell at all our teller stations and use it often. I have also been known to Lysol my work station and the telephones/keyboards/mouses (mice? hehe). The branch I was at before of the same bank (just a couple miles away) I had problems with a chronically hung over (v'ing!) coworker that I almost quit over, but then got transfered to the branch I'm at now instead.

[emetojackie]

I've been a cashier for over a year now, and I've only ever had 2-3 v* experiences but that was my assistant manager and some mom's baby.. and I saw nothing so it's all good!! [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]


I think you'll find if someone is feeling ill, then they'll call in sick.. who would want to come into work when they have a valid reason not to? [img]smileys/smilies_12.gif[/img]

[Galadriel]

Do you like being a cashier Jackie? Was it rather easy to get the jist of it? That is good that you've had very few v* experiences!

[emetojackie]

Yeah I do enjoy it, I've met some strrannggee people from it lol..


I want to be a manager at somepoint and find it helps a lot with the business course i'm doing, so yeah it's all good and I wouldn't swap it for anything else...


If I can get the jist of it, ANYONE can!! [img]smileys/smilies_32.gif[/img]

[Galadriel]

Lol good! Im just nervous I might forget how to do a check right, or a credit card or something. I got a "crash course" the first day, and tomorrow is my second day. If I don't burn down the store, or have a customer cuss me out, then it'll be all good! [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[donna1216]

I'm sure you will be just fine!! I worked at Penney's (like Rachel does) when I was in college, I really enjoyed it and didn't worry too much (surprisingly) about emet! Good luck tomorrow!

[jenjen]

Keep a good sense of humor! If you laugh at yourself first, then customers can only laugh with you and not at you! I should know, I am a hairstylist, but I still have to count back change and do credit cards. I screw up daily. I just act like a stupid blonde, and they think you're cute and not stupid! As far as the emet thing, if you are at all worried about that, remember that the more you are exposed to it, the less you actually "catch" anything!

[kentuckygalrk]

Yeppers... somehow Donna and I have both been roped into working at the JcPenneys in our lifetimes. I won't go so far as to say I love it... but I wouldn't say I hate it either. (though working inventory til 2 am this sunday really stunk! Remember those days donna?)


I think the best advice I can give you is to keepa goodsense of humor about the ignorant things customers do (and trust me when I say they can do some pretty dumb things) and try not to let the rude customers get to you. For every onemean, angry, annoying customer I've had, I've probably had a dozen sweet, nice, kind customers to make up forit. You'll meet tons of interesting people, that's for sure.


Definitely wash your hands LOTS...money is gross, butcarry around your purell and you'll do fine.


And remember...people will try that "The customer is ALWAYS right" line on you for sure...take my advice, look em dead in the eye and say "No, the customer is only right until he's not right and then... he'sWRONG!!!" Hehe


Good Luck... you'll do great!
~Rachel

[Galadriel]

Heh, yeah thats what I was thinking, the customer is NOT always right! [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

[kate1966]

Hi Chippedaway....I am also a bank teller....and how gross and dirty is the money???? It disgusts me to even think about it.....luckily the branch i work at has gotten the glass all the way across our teller line...it is wonderful...i love it...it practically knocks out all the odor..and boy is there some stinky people in the world...but you still get the occasional sniff....but i think it helps on other sicknesses...which is good....but just touching money all day is enough...i use tons and tons of purell....after every transaction....i am a freak about it...wash my hands constantly in the bathroom too......Kat

[Galadriel]

Had my first *real* day as a cashier!


Whew! I do definately like it better than the past 2 jobs Ive had. Those I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy (field work and camp counselor to whiny kids! lol) but man today was kinda fun. Its neat to see all the different people, and say like "good day" and make very little small talk, then send them on their way. Its also strangely satisfying to run the items by that scanner and hear that *BLEEP!* and make change and stuff. I think it appeals to that perfectionist orderly neat freak in me lol! Most of they day went by pretty quick. The time does fly when your dealing with a line of people! It can be a bit frantic at times, especialy when learning! Also the standing on my feet for hours can kinda hurt some, but its not that bad. Man this one lady, well the manager (a nice gal) was helping me do something, and this lady for some reason got p-oed at having to wait a minute, and she just stormed right out of the store! Whew some people! Most everyone was nice and polite tho. It is a rather fun job I think.