Does 'You're too nice' = Future Misery?

[SaveThisLabRat]

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Hey everyone,

I worked as a pharmacy clerk at a chain pharmacy one summer where was told by the pharmacist that I am 'too nice'. Before that, I worked at a department store where, of course, excellent customer service was demanded. I guess I was just brainwashed and I can't seem to help it.

I went this week to apply again for a pharmacy job. I went to about four different establishments, and it was hilarious, because I was like, "Hi! I was just wondering if you guys were in need if a pharmacy clerk (smile)." And the atmosphere and pharmacists just seemed to be so cold. Not on purpose, they was just... just (by the way, I'm not a super-happy person, only when it comes to customer interactions).

My question is, from those I met, pharmacists seem to be serious, almost uninviting people (huge generalization). Will I be an oddball in the industry? Will I annoy fellow pharmacists? Will I eventually become miserable? Would I be better off working at the mall for the rest of my life?

 

[sdn1977]

No - you won't be an "odd-ball".

Most of us are very, very nice. But....if you spend time watching us work - particularly in a retail situation....you will see us get into a "zone". Good pharmacists have the ability to "turn off" what is going on outside of us so we can focus on the rx at hand.

We work in an environment which is filled with distractions - the piped in music, visibility which lends people to want to know where the fertilizer is or what nail polish is on special, the constant questions - from the phones, the techs, the pt wanting to know if he can buy his grandmother ginko.

So....we have to get good at shifting our gears. Most of us do that ok within reason. But, remember - we are there a long, long time during the days we work & we cannot get what we are doing wrong.

When you worked at the mall - you could be happy & pleasant if your customer bought the blue blouse even though it made her skin look sallow - no big deal to you. But...with me - I have to be sure what I fill is right - otherwise....sallow might be as good as it gets & dead could be as bad as it gets.

Hang in there - we are funny & laugh too - just not all the time.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Ah, thanks sdn. I didn't take that into consideration, even though I too got those annoying questions from customers and long hours. I was just sort of shocked because the pharmacists I went to didn't even LOOK at me. Their heads were down entire time, of course doing work, while giving me information regarding applying. I was reminded of the comment I got from an actual, self-proclaimed miserable pharmacist. It left a bad taste in my mouth for a profession I admire.

 

[GatorRxGirl]

Ah, thanks sdn. I didn't take that into consideration, even though I too got those annoying questions from customers and long hours. I was just sort of shocked because the pharmacists I went to didn't even LOOK at me. Their heads were down entire time, of course doing work, while giving me information regarding applying. I was reminded of the comment I got from an actual, self-proclaimed miserable pharmacist. It left a bad taste in my mouth for a profession I admire.

work in a pharmacy long enough, you'll become mean like the rest of us.

 

[Tessalon]

I finished a whole rotation with a somewhat busy Rite Aid and I felt pretty good about the experience. I was even told by my preceptor that I did a great job and would be welcome to work there after graduation if I was interested in the area. A couple of weeks later I had to stop by and pick up a prescription for my husband, and we both went in so I could introduce him to everyone. Not one of them even looked up to say "hi". I know they were "in a zone" because it was around 5:30 pm, but my husband was so shocked at the lack of any greeting at all to me - especially after I bragged about how well my rotation went there😛 . Then he started to worry that if I worked there I would get "brainwashed" into being antisocial, lol.

 

[Farmercyst]

So this zone, is that like the same way I get when I'm watching a football game and my wife has to all but sit in front of the TV and yell at me to get my attention?😀

I should be a really good pharmacist, huh?

On a more serious note though, I'm sure the break room at a pharmacy is just as social as the break room at dept store. (Probably fewer people in the break room unless it's shared with another department though)

 

[letjin]

On a more serious note though, I'm sure the break room at a pharmacy is just as social as the break room at dept store. (Probably fewer people in the break room unless it's shared with another department though)

Everyone take their breaks at different times...so you eat your lunch alone. Good place to socialize?

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Haha, you guys have been absolutely funny and helpful. I understand now how that 'zone' is necessary, seeing how making sure you're giving someone the right prescription is only a little bit important.

I guess the original pharmacist felt being friendly wasn't needed in this type of work (again, he was incredibly unhappy); that maybe his only purpose was indeed to put pills in a bottle. I hope in the future to work with pharmacists similar to you all.

 

[SaveThisLabRat]

Everyone take their breaks at different times...so you eat your lunch alone. Good place to socialize?

lol

 

[WVUPharm2007]

So this zone, is that like the same way I get when I'm watching a football game and my wife has to all but sit in front of the TV and yell at me to get my attention?😀

That sounds familiar.....

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Ah, thanks sdn. I didn't take that into consideration, even though I too got those annoying questions from customers and long hours. I was just sort of shocked because the pharmacists I went to didn't even LOOK at me. Their heads were down entire time, of course doing work, while giving me information regarding applying. I was reminded of the comment I got from an actual, self-proclaimed miserable pharmacist. It left a bad taste in my mouth for a profession I admire.

You'll soon become desensitized once you step behind the counter. I'm usually busy typing away whilst answering questions from the next customer in the queue and just catch a quick glimpse of the patient when we're really busy, but I'm still very attentive to their inquiries in spite of my eyes being glued to the monitor.

I think it can be a negative thing to be too nice. You have to be a bit more assertive and being a yes-man just doesn't cut it. You'll have to deal with a plethora of difficult people, whether they be managers, patients, or co-workers and you can't let everyone stomp all over you.

Besides, you can't judge people's personas by the attitudes they exude at work. Keyword: WORK.
Sometimes, all sorts of complications erupt all at once and we're under a good deal of stress and you can have co-workers snap at you but you can't take that personally either. Just pretend like you're dealing with your wife who has severe PMS. Same thing applies to difficult customers. YOu just need to take everything with a grain of salt and shrug it off or be able to put your foot down in certain situations.