Work: A Rant

[tarmachan]

So you know I scored that job a month and a bit ago, right? I pretty much hate it.

I thought it would take me some time to adjust and everything, and I'm an optimist at heart, but I really don't like this job. There are several reasons for this, of which I shall list below:

1) The people I work for are NOT NICE.

It'd be fine if they were just not nice to everyone, but it often seems like it's just me. I get that I'm new so I still screw up every now and then, but the sheer difference in the way they treat me and the other serving girls actually makes me angry sometimes. Like they'll talk about inane life things, and never invite me into the conversation. And a couple of times, I've said things and just been blatantly ignored. I know I don't go to work to socialise, but it's one of the things that gets you through the shift. Seriously, if there weren't a couple of fellow servers that actually act like I'm a human being on the same level as them, I would have jacked this gig in already.

2) The hours are NOT ENOUGH.

I knew that this was a part time job when I signed up, but I explicity stated that I was available whenever. I only get called in for evenings, since that's when it's busy, though. Which is fair enough. Except when it doesn't look like it's going to be busy, they ring me up and say "hey, don't bother coming in tonight". Which I suppose is also fine, since they don't want to pay people they don't need. But I haven't worked since last Saturday, and my next shift is NEXT WEDNESDAY. How the hell am I supposed to make money with that? I want to go to America in 7-ish months' time, and this is not the way to go about it. I'm actually getting bored of all the free time I have, that's how bad it is.

(The worst part is I can't even spend that time writing, because I'm in a complete inspiration slump right now.)

3) The way I've been taught how to do this job is bullshit.

My idea of a learning experience is being showed how to do the things, then being allowed to ask questions when one forgets or isn't sure about something. I'm pretty sure it's not within human nature to be able to master everything with one demonstration. But that's what they expect. And they <i>really</i> don't like questions. But my entire degree (biology, in case you were wondering), the last three years of my life, has trained me to ask questions. So I do. It's just how I roll. But that's not alright with them. Case example- we've just got new Christmas embellishment items (smallish Xmas trees made of wire and glitter) for the tables, and I went to reset one with the boss nearby. I hadn't reset a table with the new stuff yet, so I wasn't sure where to put the tree, so I asked the boss. His response was a very blunt sentence about how I should look at the other tables and not ask him (or something to that effect, I mostly just tune out whatever he says when it's not "take this to table x"). Bearing in mind, my back was to all the other tables at that point, and it was a <i>very</i> simple question. It would have taken him less than two seconds to say "in the middle" or something similar. The woman at the table next to mine was on my side, though. That's not even the worst example, it's just the only one I haven't deleted from my brain yet.


I must point out, it's very difficult for me to lose respect for someone, especially a person of higher authority, but I've found myself really not respecting at least three of the people above my station. I can't respect someone that doesn't respect me. So mostly I just swear at them in my head, because if I get fired I will lose what little money I am making.

I've applied for another job in my town, but I have no idea if I'll get it. It's literally the only other job for miles, since the economy is such a lost cause right now. I can't wait to quit this job, but I'll have to endure if I don't get the other one. Ah well, it's only another half a year... *sigh*

Thanks for listening. I just needed to vent.

Comments

[fieldofclover.livejournal.com]

*grabs in a giant hug*

Ah, sweet, I know what that's like. I wish you forbearance until you can get yourself another job- and totally understand the necessity of swearing at your boss inside your head.

*has perfected the art of hating the boss with a big, friendly smile on her face to show customers*

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

*is gratefully swamped by giant hug*

Thanks- I really needed to vent my feelings, but I'm not the type of person that's comfortable with saying things to other people face to face. So I journal ranted, which made me feel tons better, just getting my issues onto paper.

Thanks for your support :)

[ruighfserkla.livejournal.com]

Yeah... If I were in your position, I probably couldn't wait to be outta there. It's obvious to me that you have way more patience for people than I do. Which is definitely a good thing. I think I'm definitely a pessimist.

Don't give up on looking for a new job, though. Can't be healthy being in a place like that. Good Luck!

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

Hehe, yeah my patience level is pretty high... and I can't afford to be unemployed if I want to go to America next year, so I have to stick with it until something better comes along.

I'm still looking, and my hopes and dreams aren't crushed yet! Thanks for the encouragement! :)

[faren-maddox.livejournal.com]

I feel so sad for you right now. ;____;

That is NOT the way to run a place like your workplace, not if you want dedicated workers and happy customers. I know you are doing your best, your poor thing, and I know you're doing fine even if they're making you feel like you aren't. It's not fair of them to treat you like that. You SHOULD be able to ask questions, whenever you need to, and it's just awful that you feel like you can't. *pets you*

That said, just be patient with your coworkers/being treated like a n00b. It takes time for a staff to accept a new person, but they will, in the end. Just working hard will give them more respect for you. I know that it's frustrating that they're looking down on you, but it won't last forever. I know at my owrkplace, there's a cool period at first because we're all waiting to see if the new person is going to leave. A lot of people can't take the work at a serving job, and they'll quit very quickly. If you stick it out, they'll start being nicer to you. *squeezy hug* And you can always come here when they're being mean, because we love you here. <33333

You said you're coming to America for school, right? Having this job experience will be good when you get here, because you should be able to find a similar job pretty quickly! :D

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice, Faren! And the hearts! *is squeezed within an inch of her life*

I get that they are slow at accepting, but it has been more than a month already, and it's not improved in the slightest. I'm annoyed with myself as well, because I'm the type of person that hates quitting, but if someone else offers me a job (which is very unlikely with this crappy economy), I'm going to leave. I just can't be in a stressful job environment and then have more stress on top of it. Maybe I'm just not cut out for this type of work... ah, well, what will be will be, right?

Actually I've already been to America for uni- I had a year in Oregon during the 2009/10 academic year and it was fantastic. So I'm saving up to go back and visit all the lovely people I was fortunate enough to bond with (also I'm going to eat all the Ben and Jerry's flavours that I fell in love with and can't get here). I'll only be able to spend a few weeks in the country with my money, but it will be amazing to be back in my third home :)

[faren-maddox.livejournal.com]

Naw, believe me, it's not you, it's them. Poop on them for not loving you as much as we do. >:[

Orly? o_o What uni did you go to? I'm FROM Oregon, even though I don't live there now...

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

OMG you're an OR girl? *glomps* I'm an OSU alumni (if you're a Duck, please don't kill me!), and I am in love with the state. It's like the most beautiful place I ever lived, and I can't wait to go back!

Where in OR are you from? :D

[faren-maddox.livejournal.com]

You have never heard of the tiny town I lived in, I promise, but it was only less than an hour from there! I have an older brother that went to OSU! Wow, this is too crazy, what a small world. :D

ISNT IT???? ISNT IT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE?!?! I want to move back to that area when I can, I really miss the beauty and the whole pace of life up there... I'm totally jealous now, I think you're going to visit there before I do. :P

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

I might have heard of it- I travelled a lot while I was there, and stared at maps for hours trying to plan journeys! PLEASE TELL ME OH GOD THE CURIOSITY IS KILLING MEEEE

It really, really is! Yay another Beaver! *tackleglomps your brother*

MY GOD IT'S AMAZING I TOOK LIKE SIX BILLION PHOTOS!!! I think Crater Lake was my favourite, but the whole state is gorgeous. I love it so much, especially that it has actual mountains (which England is sadly lacking). And yes, the pace of life is so relaxed and mellow. It was probably the best 9-and-a-bit months of my life. I can't wait to go back (if I have enough money)!

[faren-maddox.livejournal.com]

I lived in 2 places: Dallas and Amity. You may know of Dallas, actually, it's medium-sized. Amity was only like 1,000 people.

MMmmmm, Crater Lake is beautiful! I love the mountains. Did you ever go east to the other side of the mountains? It's scrubby over there, but still beautiful. So much time spent outside when I was a kid....

Out of curiosity, when ARE you going to be there? (assuming you get the money, of course?)

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

Lol the funny thing is that it's the other way round- I'd heard of Amity but not Dallas! After a quick trip to google maps, though, I totally know where that is! I probably saw signs for Dallas, but I can't remember. Yeah, my ex-roommate is from Turner, where I spent Thanksgiving, so not too far away either!

I actually never got the chance to cross the Cascades, because I was 19 all year and severely lacking in transport (it was quite a shock going from trains-go-everywhere-Britain to what-public-transport?-America XD). We couldn't rent cars (though I'll be able to when I go back! And drink! Not at the same time though.), so we relied on friends to take us places. I did a few mini road trips during holidays, and saw lots of the Wilamette valley and the coast, plus a great chunk of Washington and a tiny bit of Cali, but I really regret not being able to see the desert. After poking so many dead reptiles in class, I wanted to go out and see them moving, dammit!

I'm planning on being there next summer, somewhere between June and August, though not too sure yet. I'm supposed to be going with one of the Brits I met out there, but she's doing a Masters right now so we have to go after she's done. Of course that is dependent on the money that I'm not earning right now... *sadface*

[faren-maddox.livejournal.com]

Yeah, imagine me going from dinky little Amity straight to Phoenix, Arizona population somewhere around 3 million.... it was what one might call culture shock. :D (And the public transportation isn't much better around here, btw >:[ )

I was asking because I'm planning to be in Washington over the summer, but I haven't decided when to go yet. It would be pretty cool if we managed to be in the area at the same time!

[tarmachan.livejournal.com]

That's quite the change, I imagine! I think we're slightly more evenly spaced here, because most cities have less than 1 million people (except London, obviously). I suppose that's because we don't have great big stretches of wilderness, though, since we've managed to cram ~60 million people into an area roughly the size of Oregon XD

Yeah I came to realise the public transport in the USA in general is pretty poor- I think that's because there are mountains and stuff in the way

Ah, so you're in the general area, huh? Well, I'll keep you updated on my plans, and maybe if we're in the same area I could pop over and say hi? :D