Second underappreciated worker salute thread: Convenience Store Workers

[blondeatlast]

Since I'm not sure I will be able to get to the Lounge tomorrow . . .

This is one I just don't have the cajonAs? for . . .

Low wages and dealing with the public and dangerous (at times) to boot. Still the workers at the ones I frequent always have a pleasant word and a smile, even when they are (more often than not) handling 2-3 things at once. Some aren't all that friendly, but I don't think any have EVER been outright rude. I call that an impressive feat.

This guy's cashing his lottery ticket, that woman is asking for directions, that one's drunk aand needs a pack of cigarettes NOW, and I'm in there buying a Diet Coke or a package of gum just so I can get some cash without going out of my way.

And Harve, the guy who succeeded at rehab and now manages the sparkling clean, friendly, and VERY busy Mobil store, still smiles and seems to genuinely care how my day is going.

Great going, gang; thanks from your public!
For once--these are for you . . .

:donut:

:bounce:

[scarlet_owl]

1. My husband was a gas station clerk

a while back ago. He got robbed twice (once at gunpoint, once at knifepoint), had to work a 16 hour shift once because his help didn't show up, and then he got fired because they thought he stole money from them. It turns out one of the managers was doing the robbing. All this on top of the annoying customers. He has other delightful stories, but they are just too numerous to list here. My hat is definately off to these brave souls.

[Mikimouse]

2. True to your word-thanks!

My experience was with 7/11 in west Texas. Never got robbed and only got threatened once (the Lubbock police were driving by and saw the guy making threatening gestures, so they decided to come in and see what was happening. No harm done. One of the real joys was having the young people come in after the bars closed and them thinking that it would be great fun to shit on the floor in the bathroom (sorry, any euphemism I could have used would have lessened the impact of the scene). The two years I spent in that store was a great stepping stone to what I do today, so I cannot really complain. When I visit my old haunts, some of the old managers are still around, and they still ask me if I would be interested in coming back as a manager-trainee. In that store, 16hour shifts were almost standard, at least for me (mostly 3-11 and graveyard), but I loved it because of the customers.
on edit:as usual, corrected spelling in subject line

[blondeatlast]

4. Wow. Drunks are so damn much fun, aren't they?

To scarlet_owl's hubby and to Mikimouse:

:toast: (within reason, of course, there'll be none of that stuff in the Lounge).

I used to have to clean the bathrooms at the bookstore where I once worked. Not anywhere near the samme scale, so I REALLY salute you.

[MoonAndSun]

3. Hi blondeatlast, which Mobil is it?

If I get a chance, maybe I'll go in and buy some something at this store just to give Harve some business.:hi:

[blondeatlast]

5. 3rd Street and Indian School. Gereat guy.

He hasn't been there much lately, I know he's had some medical problems. Hoping for the best.

Yikes--I think it might be a Chevron, in fact I know it is, they have the cute little cars.

[MoonAndSun]

7. Yeah, 3rd St & Ind School is Chevron,

I go there sometimes because one of my work locations is right next to it. I love their breakfast burritos!!

[TacticalPeek]

6. You got that right!

My field is business information systems, and I have worked a lot with cstores, as they're known. They have one of the most complex operating environments I have seen, especially if they do prepared food. Whether mom and pop stores, or big chains, they are usually very innovative and entrepreneurial outfits.

I'm used to it now, but initially I was amazed at the workload and demands on the cashiers and managers, just mind-boggling. It's pretty dangerous, as noted above, and they must juggle responsibility for cash, tens of thousands of dollars of inside inventory, volatile and toxic motor fuel, personnel, customer relations, vendors and ordering, tax and regulatory authorities. I'm worn out just thinking about it.

And, likewise, although I'm in them all the time professionally and casually, I have NEVER seen a clerk be rude to a customer, despite the occasional opportunity.

They are a constant standby, especially on trips, and its their people that make them work.

Hats off.

:)