Discussion My anxiety is killing me

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,166
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www.theshoppinqueen.com
I mask, hand sanitize, I have had two shots plus my vaccine booster shot two weeks ago. My anxiety is over the top, trying to get people to put on masks in the hospital, trying to tactfully let unvaccinated people know they can’t visit grandma because she now has a roommate. Hand writing hundreds of patient & visitor passes daily. Having people come to my desk symptomatic wanting Covid tests.

My job used to actually be fun but there’s little joy left, the guy screaming that I needed to “ piss off, should be fired & wasn’t even fit to empty the garbage” had me crying in the rest room.

How do I make this job fun again, what do I do? I have to work, I am only 64 & need to pay rent & keep my insurance. How can I placate people & bring some fun back into my workspace?
 

Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,244
10,748
136
I mask, hand sanitize, I have had two shots plus my vaccine booster shot two weeks ago. My anxiety is over the top, trying to get people to put on masks in the hospital, trying to tactfully let unvaccinated people know they can’t visit grandma because she now has a roommate. Hand writing hundreds of patient & visitor passes daily. Having people come to my desk symptomatic wanting Covid tests.

My job used to actually be fun but there’s little joy left, the guy screaming that I needed to “ piss off, should be fired & wasn’t even fit to empty the garbage” had me crying in the rest room.

How do I make this job fun again, what do I do? I have to work, I am only 64 & need to pay rent & keep my insurance. How can I placate people & bring some fun back into my workspace?

Didn't I warn you about "having compassion" and simply being too nice? ;)

The bad news is that a significant portion of these people CAN'T BE placated by anything you do or say and if you continue to try to do so you will be the one that pays the price with your health/sanity!

The only thing I can suggest is that you try to find a way to move to a non-public facing position. Sorry.


9d054e001a323a10de570c4ddd90af9e.jpg



EDIT: And although my current health-challenges pale in the face of yours, I do fully understand the anxiety about keeping insurance!

:confused:
 
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SKORPI0

Lifer
Jan 18, 2000
18,395
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How do I make this job fun again, what do I do? I have to work, I am only 64 & need to pay rent & keep my insurance. How can I placate people & bring some fun back into my workspace?
I'll be 64 in about 2 months, still working and struggling with this covid-19 situation. But in relatively good health (crosses fingers) and looking younger than my then HS and college classmates.
Good thing most of the time, I'm alone by myself at work with co-workers at a distance at another part of the building.

You've been too nice to people even if it is "part of the job". Your health worries over the years and letting us know how you're doing has kept us up in our toes rooting for you.
Be safe, be well and take care.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
67,194
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www.anyf.ca
Sounds like a pain in the ass dealing with all that. I wish more people could understand that the person at the front desk, or the person answering the phone, is NOT the person that makes the rules. This goes for pretty much everything.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
58,054
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Remember they're not actually angry with YOU as a person, but you ARE a helpless target they can unload their anger onto to make themselves feel better, like they've "done something" about "the problem". To them, you're "the face" of the evil, controlling liberal oppressors. None of the things they're saying to you/about you are actually true, it's like a four year old having a tantrum because they can't have ice cream for lunch, screaming about how you're the worst parent EVER.
 
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Captante

Lifer
Oct 20, 2003
30,244
10,748
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Remember they're not actually angry with YOU as a person, but you ARE a helpless target they can unload their anger onto to make themselves feel better, like they've "done something" about "the problem". To them, you're "the face" of the evil, controlling liberal oppressors. None of the things they're saying to you/about you are actually true, it's like a four year old having a tantrum because they can't have ice cream for lunch, screaming about how you're the worst parent EVER.


When your 4 year-old is on their 37th tantrum in a row it CAN get old!

;)

Problem is the popo tend to frown upon putting unruly "customers" over ones knee regardless of how desperately they deserve it!


Seriously though, after a point it no longer matters WHY a person is acting irrationally it only matters that they are. ZERO slack should be cut for being an a$$hole with well OVER 600,000 DEAD AMERICANS on our hands!

:mad:



War or conflictWorld War II
Date1941–1945
Total U.S. deathsCombat291,557
Other113,842
Total405,399


Let that sink in. :cry::cry::cry::cry:

(and we are not done)
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
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Shoot misbehaving people with a paintball gun. You can than me later ;^)

Add bear spray to the paint pellets.

Getting fired would be the best outcome of me working in a public facing position. I wouldn't bet against jail.

You and me both.
The general public is a bunch of spoiled, self-centered assholes.

I know...I are won.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
11,017
136
I mask, hand sanitize, I have had two shots plus my vaccine booster shot two weeks ago. My anxiety is over the top, trying to get people to put on masks in the hospital, trying to tactfully let unvaccinated people know they can’t visit grandma because she now has a roommate. Hand writing hundreds of patient & visitor passes daily. Having people come to my desk symptomatic wanting Covid tests.

My job used to actually be fun but there’s little joy left, the guy screaming that I needed to “ piss off, should be fired & wasn’t even fit to empty the garbage” had me crying in the rest room.

How do I make this job fun again, what do I do? I have to work, I am only 64 & need to pay rent & keep my insurance. How can I placate people & bring some fun back into my workspace?

Can't/won't the hospital assign a security guard to your area to "escort" unruly assholes to the curb?
 
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sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
94,654
14,928
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I mask, hand sanitize, I have had two shots plus my vaccine booster shot two weeks ago. My anxiety is over the top, trying to get people to put on masks in the hospital, trying to tactfully let unvaccinated people know they can’t visit grandma because she now has a roommate. Hand writing hundreds of patient & visitor passes daily. Having people come to my desk symptomatic wanting Covid tests.

My job used to actually be fun but there’s little joy left, the guy screaming that I needed to “ piss off, should be fired & wasn’t even fit to empty the garbage” had me crying in the rest room.

How do I make this job fun again, what do I do? I have to work, I am only 64 & need to pay rent & keep my insurance. How can I placate people & bring some fun back into my workspace?


Get a cattle prod. Effective at controlling dumb animals.

 
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DigDog

Lifer
Jun 3, 2011
13,443
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what do I do?
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,402
8,038
136
Getting fired would be the best outcome of me working in a public facing position. I wouldn't bet against jail.
Yeah, don't know your situation, Babe, but if it's at all feasible to be put in a better situation there, that would be something to hope for, do what you can to make it happen. Of course, meantime you should be making it plain to the people you are dealing with that you don't make the rules but that you have to communicate them and try to enforce them and that them complaining to you about the rules isn't going to help anybody and they are shaming themselves by being pests. It can be subtle, you shouldn't have to bring yourself down by communicating these things.

You're 64... IIRC, one more year and you're eligible for Medicare. Hang in there.
 
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Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Oct 16, 1999
32,166
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www.theshoppinqueen.com
Yeah, don't know your situation, Babe, but if it's at all feasible to be put in a better situation there, that would be something to hope for, do what you can to make it happen. Of course, meantime you should be making it plain to the people you are dealing with that you don't make the rules but that you have to communicate them and try to enforce them and that them complaining to you about the rules isn't going to help anybody and they are shaming themselves by being pests. It can be subtle, you shouldn't have to bring yourself down by communicating these things.

You're 64... IIRC, one more year and you're eligible for Medicare. Hang in there.

I think I am just going to quietly tell people to contact their elected officials & the CDC to discuss the rules. I am just the front desk person, I don’t make the rules & also the medical units make the final call. If I don’t call the unit, you aren’t visiting….period
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
67,194
12,025
126
www.anyf.ca
I think I am just going to quietly tell people to contact their elected officials & the CDC to discuss the rules. I am just the front desk person, I don’t make the rules & also the medical units make the final call. If I don’t call the unit, you aren’t visiting….period

That's propably the best way to go about it honestly. Be clear to them you're not the one that makes them, you're just suppose to enforce them.

There's been protests in some places where they even block ambulances from entering the hospital! Don't protest at the hospital, they don't make the rules. Protest at the health unit office or parliament or something.
 
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Spacehead

Lifer
Jun 2, 2002
13,201
10,063
136
I really have no idea if it works or not but maybe try/look into some sort of meditation? Find something that relaxes/calms you that you can do at work when needed.

And yeah, as mentioned above, see if you can get security guard stationed near you.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
11,017
136
I think I am just going to quietly tell people to contact their elected officials & the CDC to discuss the rules. I am just the front desk person, I don’t make the rules & also the medical units make the final call. If I don’t call the unit, you aren’t visiting….period

That's probably the most...adult way of handling it...but remember, you're dealing with a bunch of over-grown children who don't seem to have ever learned the meaning of "NO!"

I hope, for your sake, you're in an enclosed safe place...
 
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BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
62,678
11,017
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By the way...did you kill off the shopping queen? Site looks like it hasn't been updated in several years. (or maybe I just have the old one)
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,402
8,038
136
Get a cattle prod. Effective at controlling dumb animals.

I worked at a dairy 50 years ago, herded cows, etc. We didn't have cattle prods. Cows are much more docile than humans.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
94,654
14,928
126
I worked at a dairy 50 years ago, herded cows, etc. We didn't have cattle prods. Cows are much more docile than humans.


They are also massive compared to humans. You must be the only farm hand to never taste cattle prod.

Also, the one I linked is long, so you can keep proper distance from the dumb animals.
 
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Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
37,402
8,038
136
They are also massive compared to humans. You must be the only farm hand to never taste cattle prod.

Also, the one I linked is long, so you can keep proper distance from the dumb animals.
One of my jobs was to steal their new-born calves. That was kinda sad. They'd chase after me but I was never hurt by a cow.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
94,654
14,928
126
One of my jobs was to steal their new-born calves. That was kinda sad. They'd chase after me but I was never hurt by a cow.
I was talking about the dumb animals the op has to deal with, not dairy cows.