Friday, November 2, 2012

Working in service...

I've been working at a coffee shop for now almost 7 months and so far I really like it a lot. I really like my co-workers, my job, most of my customers, and the fun environment. Plus I don't mind having a day off in the middle of the week too. Minus the low wage, I'm really happy at where I am. But of course nothing is perfect and there's definitely some stress that comes with working in a service job.  You got your regulars, which I love and then there's everyone else in between as well. See, I've been an office girl since I was about 23 and at 31 in an service job here's what I observed.

a. Why do people look at us like we are stupid? I can assure you we are not because we've been doing this over a year (s) and we've been trained to do what we do. Plus, please don't repeat the order over and over again, I'm not deaf and again I know what I'm doing. (of course if we just started that's a whole other case and you should nod your head and "understand" he/she is new)

b. Just because you're having a shitty day, please don't take it out on us. We work for less than $10/hr and we are humans too. Whatever it may be: two hour meetings, your period, you fought with your bf/gf, can't find your iphone, whatever it may be, please try to understand we just make and serve coffee to you and that's really it. What if at YOUR office/work place someone takes their bad moods out on you? How would you feel? Exactly.

c. Because we are wearing uniform, we like to dress to the nine when we're not. I sometimes envy women who are dressed really nice because I wish I can do that. I guess that's why I go shopping even more and have my closet filled with more clothes I know I won't be wearing any time soon. Plus when we finally do go out for some fun it's like "omg what do we wear??" "i gotta look cute!" when we are just going to the movies, you know in the dark.

d. If we make a mistake it's because it was what it's called a mistake. We are humans, we can make a mistake sometimes. It's not earth shattering and we will have it fixed. Accidents happen and so will mistakes, no one is perfect and not every day is perfect. Again, think about yourself and ask yourself "Have I ever made a mistake at work?" "Have I made an error in judgment at work?". Please try not to be so hard on us, we're doing the best we can to accommodate to you.

These are things I wish others thought about too. I know, I know it's hard to think outside your own world but just give it a try. Like I said we are humans and not robots and after our shift is over we are just like you a consumer.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Healthy vs Hypochrondiac vs Stressed vs I need to relax

2012 is still fresh in our minds rights? I know no one says, "happy new years" anymore, but I still have my resolutions fresh in my mind.
I only have two things really: read a book per month (um will get on it) and continue to lose weight and be healthy.
I recently went to the doctor and two different docs told me I had high blood pressure. Now, that's not super surprising because my mother had very high bp and passed away from an aneurysm. What IS surprising is that I have it now at 30 and if it persists that I will need to take medications to control it. THAT sounds depressing at 30.
Then I start thinking and imagining all sorts of horrific scenarios played in my head. (Did I mention STRESS is a contributing factor to high bp?)
Will I be like my mom and have attack one day? Can I have children while I take these medications? Are there side effects with the bp medicines? Do I need a third opinion? This is paranoia and hypochondriac behavior, just ask Larry David
After calming down and trying not to think of terrible things, I've concluded 5 ways to de-stress yourself and 5 ways to be a healthier you.

Healthy You:
1. go get a check up. yes, you have to fast and take the morning off but this is preventative care, which means whatever problems you may have you can nip it in the bud in the early stage.
2. exercise 3-5 days a week, even if it's just 30-40 minutes.
3. take your vitamins! Fish Oil is probably the best all around vitamins out there, but a good multi-vitamin is probably what you need.
4. it's okay to indulge a few times a week. BUT just one serving and that's it. put it away! whatever it may be, but let's try to stick with dark chocolate if we can.
5. go to bed, seriously i can't stress how important a good night sleep is; and not just for one night, but daily.

De-Stress Yourself:
1. write down in your ipad, notebook, journal, what have you everything that bothers you and stresses you out. you will feel a bit better. also when you read them and say them aloud and really think about it, it's probably not a big deal.
2. do one or two things for yourself. manicure, pedicure, massage, short (timed and budgeted) shopping trip, eating a cheeseburger (once), nap during the day!, close the door and listen to music alone, etc. seriously, you need TIME FOR YOURSELF.
3. go to your happy place. whether it's popping in a dvd you love to watch (I love the Office Space), going through an album, taking a bubble bath, taking a walk to your favorite park, baking something, etc.
4. not giving a fuck. i'm trying hard right now to become an "apathetic" person but it's hard. but sometimes you just need to say, "whatever". i mean in some situations, what CAN you really do? nothing. So, just don't think about it and say, "fuck it". or more eloquently, "we will cross that bridge when we come to it". I'm dealing with this #4
5. talk to someone. everyone needs a best friend who listens and is "on your side". you just need a bitchfest with someone that's all. men don't understand this and instead work out, fuck, or eat. Women have girlfriends and gossip wickedly. Yup, that's right talk with someone who again, LISTENS and nods her head and says, "yup, that bitch is crazy" (that part was from Chris Rock)

Everyone deals with staying healthy and stress-free differently. There is no "one" answer, but I hope my suggestions helps you take a deep breath, relax, and not worry about the next thing so soon.