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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:03 am Post subject: I got a job at a grocery store |
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and today I had to go to orientation and learn about how to do the job. There I became inherently aware of just how 'social' this job is going to be. Lots of dealing with people you don't know. I'm gonna be expected to go through training and learn quickly. I don't know how well that last part'll work out, last summer I worked in a kitchen at a restaurant; I was fine with the people but I just could not get the hang of the job :/
I know I'm going to be a clerk in a grocery store, how hard could it be? I like people, i just can't figure em out (that would be the AS...), and that's what worries me. Everybody at the orientation was joking around and really having a great time getting to know each other; I don't think I said two words the whole 4 hours it lasted for.
My Asperger's is not as severe as most people I know or know of, but I am genuinely scared of how it might affect me in the workplace. I want to do a good job; I like money 
Am I overreacting? anyone else with asperger's have a similar job or a similar situation and how did that turn out? |
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lucy1
Deinonychus
Joined: Aug 17, 2007
Posts: 329
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:15 am Post subject: |
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You can learn a patter. Just use words that you need use - like 'can I help' - and say 'thank you' after counting out change.
It will be a way for you to be around people - without actually having to engage in small talk.
HOpe it goes well - probably you will be nervous on your first day - but this normal for lots of people on their first day in a new job. |
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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:29 am Post subject: |
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:]
patterns are good hahahaha. |
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Shpadoinkle
Butterfly
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Age: 35
Posts: 16
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:54 am Post subject: Patterns for social interaction. |
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I've been doing this my whole life.
NOW, I have a REALLLLLY social job. And I'm still using patterns most of the time, there are just a LOT OF them.
Humble suggestion: I find it easier to be inconspicuous if I "draw from a pool" of patterns, so I don't sound like I'm repeating myself.
For example, when I bump into nurses at work, I say one of the following things:
"So, how's the floor/unit going today?"
"Hi, is everything going all right with [patient name]?"
"Hi, how are things?"
That way, the ball's in THEIR court, and when they respond, I can just smile and nod for the most part, and then they feel like I'm interested and I'm listening. And they're RIGHT. But I'm making them do most of the work in the conversation, and they're usually happy to.
I guess my question is: What's it like for NT people? Do they just make up spontaneous conversations all day long? If I do that, my brain gets exhausted. If I don't fall back on some proven patterns of speech most of the time, I find myself "getting in over my head," and then the conversation tends to disintegrate, unless it's really analytical, which makes my whole brain light up.
I hope this made sense!
Patrick |
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Shpadoinkle
Butterfly
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Age: 35
Posts: 16
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:57 am Post subject: I meant Congratulations on the job! |
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I forgot to tell you good luck on the new job!
It might even be fun, once all the "patterns" fall into place.
Regards,
Patrick |
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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 9:07 am Post subject: |
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thanks Patrick!
I agree with that last part, making up spontaneous conversations just seems exhausting...i mean do NT's just pull this stuff out of their butt or something...sheesh. |
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ebec11
Missing In Action: Innocence
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Posts: 5251
Location: A Bubble in the Ocean
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Patterns for social interaction. |
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| Shpadoinkle wrote: | I've been doing this my whole life.
NOW, I have a REALLLLLY social job. And I'm still using patterns most of the time, there are just a LOT OF them.
Humble suggestion: I find it easier to be inconspicuous if I "draw from a pool" of patterns, so I don't sound like I'm repeating myself.
For example, when I bump into nurses at work, I say one of the following things:
"So, how's the floor/unit going today?"
"Hi, is everything going all right with [patient name]?"
"Hi, how are things?"
That way, the ball's in THEIR court, and when they respond, I can just smile and nod for the most part, and then they feel like I'm interested and I'm listening. And they're RIGHT. But I'm making them do most of the work in the conversation, and they're usually happy to.
I guess my question is: What's it like for NT people? Do they just make up spontaneous conversations all day long? If I do that, my brain gets exhausted. If I don't fall back on some proven patterns of speech most of the time, I find myself "getting in over my head," and then the conversation tends to disintegrate, unless it's really analytical, which makes my whole brain light up.
I hope this made sense!
Patrick |
HOW DO YOU WORK THERE? 
_________________
"You can do the math a thousand way, but you can't undo the past"
From P!nk's song 'I'm Not Dead' |
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Shpadoinkle
Butterfly
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Age: 35
Posts: 16
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject: I *think* I'm doing it, at least. |
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Basically, I'm the "slightly weird" guy who's catches problems no one else does.
(Now I'm waiting to hear how the grocery store is going.)
Patrick |
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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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| I start tomorrow. I work in the morning, not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing yet...BUT in a really bizarre twist of fate, I actually know the manager! So I really think I'm gonna be quite alright. I'll be sure to let y'all know how it went. |
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Metalwolf
Raven
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 124
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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I hope your job goes well.
I have worked for about a year now in a grocery store, primarily as a bagger, but in the more recent time as a Lot Person. In a day or two though I am scheduled to begin training as a cashier.
I find being a Lot Person very relaxing, as I can just do one thing for hours on end and I am usually by myself when outside. I do say 'Hi' to customers, but my social interaction is short and non stressful. I get to use this time to daydream and think about my more wonderful obsessions (Star Wars and Transformers) and I get paid for it. They like when I do it because usually nobody else wants that task and I love doing it. |
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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 1:11 am Post subject: |
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I daydream about Star Wars too hahaha.
Yeah, my job consists of three things. Bagging; Clearing the Lot whenever I'm not bagging; and every 30 minutes taking this crazy laser-scanning thing and going through the store scanning different stations to verify that they're clean.
My first day went surprisingly well; I forced myself to go out of my way to talk to people no matter what. Apart from memorizing where all the stations are and a part where I couldn't figure out how to drive those old people carts that they leave lying all over the place ( ) Everything went pretty smoothly. The only real problems I had as far as socially were with other employees. A few of em gave me a hard time cuz I was a n00b (in the literal sense, not the "suckage" sense, of the word) and one guy was just bizarre. There were a few weird moments where I wasn't really sure what to do and people looked kinda confused, and another moment where I just kinda spaced out, but other than that, I think on the whole it went really well.
I just hope I can keep it up. I was also made aware of how out of shape I was! Standing on your feet all day is NOT kind to your legs. |
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Shpadoinkle
Butterfly
Joined: Mar 06, 2008
Age: 35
Posts: 16
Location: Denver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject: Working on your feet all day |
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I have really good luck with a pair of Dr. Scholl's walking shoes. Not insoles or orthotics. Actual shoes that say Dr. Sholl's on them. I got them at Big 5, a discount sports store.
Sometimes I take Aspirin or Ibuprofen halfway through my shift (prophylactically). That works great. That prevents the foot soreness before it really sets in.
Regards,
Patrick |
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smheath
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Jul 20, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 74
Location: Snow Hill, NC
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject: |
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| If you get the opportunity for a file maintenance position at the grocery store, go for it. It's the perfect Aspie job. You hang tags, print signs, and update the prices in the computer. Aside from the occasional customer asking where an item is, there's virtually no social contact. |
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thanksforallthefish
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Jun 18, 2008
Posts: 44
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:53 am Post subject: |
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that does sound rather awesome.
hows the pay though? :p |
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smheath
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Jul 20, 2007
Age: 23
Posts: 74
Location: Snow Hill, NC
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| Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, in NC the pay sucks. I've been told that grocery store employees in California make nearly $20 per hour but I find that hard to believe. |
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