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How do you cope with working fast food/retail?

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alobaby
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17 Jan 2021, 9:52 am

I work fast food and it’s insanely overwhelming. I’ve been trying to find a new job, but I’m still waiting for places to call me back. I want to know how others cope with it, the struggles it gives you because you’re autistic, etc. It’s mainly out of curiosity, but I also need help coping.



Purpopcorn
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17 Jan 2021, 10:23 am

Retail is much better than fast food, especially if you are in stock or receiving. People will stay in retail, mostly as a side job, for years. Most burn out of fast food within a year. Retail is also more willing to make accommodations for those that have disabilities. Working for a grocery store is the best option. Many have unions and allow for advancement. Plus it is much better working conditions.

Looking back on working in fast food, I remember stressing out over every little thing. Things that were out of my control, like bad customers and incompetent supervisors. The best advice I think of is to stick with it. Eventually, you will get better at your job and it will become easier. Also, leave work at work. This can be difficult ( I am still working on this myself), but is essential if you don't want to drive yourself crazy. Having goals outside of work help. Going to school, hobbies, or learning new skills will put everything in better perspective. It will also give you an opportunity to move on later to a better job.



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17 Jan 2021, 12:51 pm

Just don't eat the food (unless you prepare it yourself that is). I worked at Mcdonalds in the UK and I have seen what they do with the burgers and buns there!



alobaby
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17 Jan 2021, 7:39 pm

Purpopcorn wrote:
Retail is much better than fast food, especially if you are in stock or receiving. People will stay in retail, mostly as a side job, for years. Most burn out of fast food within a year. Retail is also more willing to make accommodations for those that have disabilities. Working for a grocery store is the best option. Many have unions and allow for advancement. Plus it is much better working conditions.

Looking back on working in fast food, I remember stressing out over every little thing. Things that were out of my control, like bad customers and incompetent supervisors. The best advice I think of is to stick with it. Eventually, you will get better at your job and it will become easier. Also, leave work at work. This can be difficult ( I am still working on this myself), but is essential if you don't want to drive yourself crazy. Having goals outside of work help. Going to school, hobbies, or learning new skills will put everything in better perspective. It will also give you an opportunity to move on later to a better job.


Yeah, I agree! I've worked retail before, but this is my first fast food job and I thought I hated my last job, but this is waaaaaay way worse. I have applied to other places, but this is the only place that would hire me. Thank you, that's what I've been trying to do! I really value my personal time more than ever now!



alobaby
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17 Jan 2021, 7:40 pm

Earthbound_Alien wrote:
Just don't eat the food (unless you prepare it yourself that is). I worked at Mcdonalds in the UK and I have seen what they do with the burgers and buns there!


I work at Taco Bell and I've seen how they prepare the food, I've done some myself (mostly things that you just fry), and yet I still eat it. I've been trying lately to eat a lot less though LOL.



shortfatbalduglyman
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17 Jan 2021, 10:20 pm

If you have a chance, you could pick less busy hours and locations to work taco bell

Sometimes you don't have a choice

Line cook

Janitor

Freight, stocker, bookkeeper

Back office

Corporate office

Telecommute



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17 Jan 2021, 10:26 pm

I couldn't work in fast food. It would be too stressful and I'd be eating all the food.


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Joe90
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18 Jan 2021, 8:47 am

Retail would be great for me if it wasn't for screaming kids. The sound (and sight) of young children is a huge sensory issue for me.


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18 Jan 2021, 8:53 am

i'm amazed i was able to do fast food at all. i musta been running on fumes.



alobaby
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18 Jan 2021, 5:38 pm

shortfatbalduglyman wrote:
If you have a chance, you could pick less busy hours and locations to work taco bell

Sometimes you don't have a choice

Line cook

Janitor

Freight, stocker, bookkeeper

Back office

Corporate office

Telecommute


I have to walk 45 minutes to get there, so I have to do mornings, unfortunately and there aren't any other closer taco bells, but those are good ideas, I'll try looking for jobs around like that, thank you!



alobaby
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18 Jan 2021, 5:39 pm

CockneyRebel wrote:
I couldn't work in fast food. It would be too stressful and I'd be eating all the food.

I always get hungry working there, the free drinks are nice though! I'm trying hard to wean off their food though



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18 Jan 2021, 5:58 pm

It would be great apart from the....

screaming kids (auditory)
noisy kitchen (auditory)
visual busyness (visual busyness)
lack of being able to get on with the public (communication disorder)
lack of being able to get on with other staff (communication disorder)
the smell of the food (Olfactory hypersensitivity) (I am also vegetarian)
being too busy (stress related problems)

hate retail :-(



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18 Jan 2021, 9:16 pm

Retail was ok from my experience but I didn't enjoy it as I have anticipated and worked in a few food places. The last one being in a restaurant that did Chinese cruisines.

It was overwhelming for so many reasons. I don't actually miss it truthfully. Gone are the days of coming home and having meltdowns.

Being a delivery guy seems nicer but it's so uncertain but certainly pays more than working as a waiter.


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18 Jan 2021, 9:20 pm

alobaby wrote:
Earthbound_Alien wrote:
Just don't eat the food (unless you prepare it yourself that is). I worked at Mcdonalds in the UK and I have seen what they do with the burgers and buns there!


I work at Taco Bell and I've seen how they prepare the food, I've done some myself (mostly things that you just fry), and yet I still eat it. I've been trying lately to eat a lot less though LOL.


I've always wanted to try Taco Bell (if I revisit the US). They recently started bringing it over in the UK but at the moment due to the pandemic, it's all take away/delivery only. Unfortunately they don't deliver my area.


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alobaby
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21 Jan 2021, 6:54 pm

madbutnotmad wrote:
It would be great apart from the....

screaming kids (auditory)
noisy kitchen (auditory)
visual busyness (visual busyness)
lack of being able to get on with the public (communication disorder)
lack of being able to get on with other staff (communication disorder)
the smell of the food (Olfactory hypersensitivity) (I am also vegetarian)
being too busy (stress related problems)

hate retail :-(


Yeah, it sucks sometimes. We don't have many people who bring their kids inside and luckily most kids aren't noisy and they all can't dine in anyways. The kitchen, business, communication issues, and especially the noise and not being able to understand people gets really difficult though.



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22 Jan 2021, 6:58 am

the worst was rude customers, many of whom had hulking boyfriends.