i get really nervous when i ..........[open me]?

Question

ok. have you ever been to a state fair, or carnival? well my uncle owns a food stand, and me, my sister, my mom, and relatives help run the stand at various fairs and carnivals in the state. Well, since i am 16, i always have to work as a waitress in the food stand (family rule). But, my problem is, our stand is REALLY popular and we end up getting HUGE lines of people. I get really nervous and its so hard to keep up. There is like a long line of people for about 3 hours straight. Does anyone have and tips/suggestions on how i can cope with this?


thanks!

Answer 1

have to give a speech in front of 500 people. It's not fun at all.

Answer 2

Just remember something. When dealing with a lot of people at your age you just have to know your limits. Talk to your parents or someone at the food stand to help.

Dealing with people for 3 hours straight may confuse you a lot due to getting things right. So, just relax and the enjoy serving the customer. Maybe that would be a way for you to relax and do the job.

Answer 3

Try to only think of the one person in front of you. When you are done with that person, then think about the next one. It won't be so overwhelming . Also remember that they are there because they want what you are selling. They are not really seeing you as a person in most cases. So don't take anything personally. Wear comfy clothes and especially comfy shoes. Tell yourself how much fun you will have with the money your uncle is paying. Try your most over the top friendly (not flirty) smile on each person, like you are glad to see them, and see how many smile back. If you are still freaked, try this trick. Pretend you are someone else...someone brave and friendly and outgoing who wouldn't be worried about those people. Pick a TV character, or one from a book and BE her. Think "how would that person act?" and do it. You will be fine.

Answer 4

Most people get nervous because they are seeing all of those people, and knowing they need to help them all and as fast as possible. The best thing for you would to to not look at all of the people, just look at whoever is at the front of the line. And rather than see all the people in the line, make a mental note about all of the people you have just helped that are gone now. Basically just positive thinking. Its just like if you walked into the house and the whole place was a mess. In that case its best to just look at one chore at a time and to look back at a completed chore and say to yourself "cool, I got that done!".

Answer 5

Focus on the person you are helping. Do not worry about the next person or the line. They will be eventually helped. If they do not like the line they can leave. It is not your problem. If you feel overwhelmed ask your family if you can take a quick 5 to 10 minute breather. Do not worry you are doing just fine. Keep it up:)

Answer 6

Many people have experienced the sort of anxiety when being confronted with throngs of impatient & occassionally rude people crowding around waiting to be served.

Best way I found to cope with situations like this is to just keep myself so busy that I don't have time to focus on the ever growing hordes of people before me.

I've never liked large crowds either. It's one thing if you know everyone. It's can be extremely daunting when you don't know them.

Talk to your mom & maybe your sister too about how this makes you feel. Knowing how uncomfortable you are perhaps theyy will be able to act as buffers for you during the most stressful times.

If these feelings of anxiety persist perhaps your doctor could prescribe a temporary anti anxiety medication that you can take during these occassions. If you prefer not to take medication of any sort, try breathing techniques.

They help during times of stress or anxiety. Take some slow, deep breaths. Hold for a moment and then release. Just let all the tension ease out of you. Relax your shoulders, roll your head and rotate it gently. Think pleasant thoughts. Interchange the deep breaths with short fast shallow breaths like the panting breaths that a dog takes or a woman makes during labor. Then return to the deep breaths. Repeat the process as much as you need to.

The breathing techniques a woman learns during child birth classes really can be helpful during moments of anxiety. They were adapted from yoga.

Perhaps you could take a yoga class to learn these breathing techniques. Or perhaps you could enroll in a dance class. Dancers also must learn breathing techniques.

A person can calm themselves and their anxieties and stress levels naturally with the right sort of breathing

Another trick I learned to deal with stress is when I am feeling my worst I reach for water. I drink it, inhale deeply, hold my breath while I'm drinking my water and I drink at least 8 ounces. Then I exhale. It works for hiccups too.

Answer 7

It's one order at a time with your full attention. Don't let the crowd distract you from the task at hand. When you give great customer service to everyone, they will appreciate what you are doing, and appreciate the fact that you are very busy.

If it is actually too busy for one waitress, ask if you can have a friend come and help you. It would be a great help and more fun for you, and faster service.

Answer 8

I think you are a good person who gets worried she's letting her family and customers down when service gets slow. Just try to realize that even if they didn't get their food, its not the worst thing in the world that could happen to them or to you. Also, if someone gets upset at waiting just tell them you'll get your parents who can then deal with the situation. You can also try to walk around and tell people you and your family are doing the best you can, and that you are sorry for the wait.

Can I ask what food you are selling that is worth a 3-hour wait in line?

Answer 9

take a deep breath and tell yourself "this too shall pass". Don't try to go faster than you can, or you will mess up and feel worse. Y'all must be doing something right to have such long lines! Maybe try to persuade the folks to hire some more help...

Answer 10

Clear your mind and focus on each individual person and take care of them. Don't think about the long lines or the others. Focus on one at a time.

Answer 11

Pace yourself, do your best, and hopefully your parents realize you're only human. If customers complain, be honest (without negativity) about how swamped you are, thank them for coming, and smile. Do deep breathing exercises. Try NOT to get rattled, because that will only cause you to make mistakes and get farther behind.