# I need advice for working at 7-Eleven **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276 "2022-10-15T00:16:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/21 "2022-10-15T16:19:36Z")
I owned some stores for quite a few years, sold them when I retired. It sounds to me that you are doing great. There is a lot of different stuff to learn, but once you have the major things down everything will fall in to place. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or even re-ask them. That’s what training is. Keep a close eye on the people training you. Watching how they do things will help you to establish what ways work for you. Card everyone buying smokes or booze. You don’t want to be the one that ends up paying a huge fine. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/22 "2022-10-15T16:38:16Z")
I’ve been where you are, O.P. My last job was the very first back-of-house restaurant job I’ve ever had in my life. Retail, sure, customer service, sure … but using a fryer, let alone three at once? Dafuq? And you want me to do _what_ with HOW many pounds of raw pork? My first day, I genuinely thought I was gonna drop. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, I was being bossed around by kids less than half my age, it’s hot and chaotic and exhausting. I dragged my sorry carcass home thinking there was no way I’d survive to see my first paycheck. Coupla months later I’m standing up for “those kids” to a new manager, because they turned out to be a damn fine crew; I was running all 3 fryers at once while also taking orders via headset while also explaining stuff to the new guy while also remembering that thing from 20 minutes ago I needed to finish. You’ll get the hang of things, I promise. Just keep showing up, keep asking if you don’t know something - trust me, it’s far more annoying to have someone guess, and be wrong and now we gotta clean up your mess - and above all, show that you’re _TRYING_ ultimately that goes a very long way. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/23 "2022-10-15T18:06:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Managers have problems finding dependable employees who consistently clock in on time. > > Do that and don’t worry about making minor errors while your learning the job. Absolutely. Actually showing up every day on time counts for a huge amount. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/24 "2022-10-15T18:38:30Z")
That’s an awfully low bar to clear, so I’ll try to do at least _that_ much. Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/25 "2022-10-15T19:15:00Z")
Show up early and they’ll freak out. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/26 "2022-10-15T19:36:57Z")
I just wanted to say nice job so far and hang in there. People like you are what keeps the economy running. Don’t get discouraged! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/27 "2022-10-15T20:43:49Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > and try not to spill hot nacho cheese on exposed flesh. Just how often does this happen? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/28 "2022-10-15T20:50:45Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I want to be better at my job, and I wasn’t given any training material to read; I was basically thrown to the wolves. It’s been many years since I’ve worked in that type of environment, but it sounds like you did just fine. The first shift always feels like being thrown to the wolves to me, but that’s perfectly normal. You’re just getting a sense of the lay of the land, the jobs you are expected to do, the little quirks of their system. Perfectly normal and to be expected from the first few shifts until you start getting the hang of the routine. I find this true of any job. For me, I consider the first couple weeks or so an acclimation period, and I wouldn’t sweat any errors or mistakes I made in this time period, as long as I learned from them. Making mistakes is how we learn (or at least how I learn.) So, once again, perfectly normal for a first day (or first week or even month.) You’re doing fine. Hopefully you have a good set of employees and manager behind you. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/29 "2022-10-15T20:52:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Hopefully you have a good set of employees and manager behind you. I do. My manager and my 18-year-old co-worker, who was helping to train me most of the day, were both _very_ patient with me. My favorite customer story of the day was when I suggested this guy get a pack of honey-roasted pistachios, and then he came back later in the day and told me he loved them. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/30 "2022-10-15T20:58:57Z")
I worked at what was the busiest 7 Eleven in Michigan back in the '80s doing just what you are. I went on to manage that store for 4 years. The fact that you cared enough to post this post shows you have a lot of character. Are you working directly with the franchisee? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/31 "2022-10-15T21:00:13Z")
> [@2\_More\_Bits](#): > > Are you working directly with the franchisee? You know, I’m not sure if it’s a franchise store or a corporate store. I _do_ know that several of the employees are related. I believe the 18-year-old is the nephew of the manager who hired me. I think they’re Filipino. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/32 "2022-10-15T21:10:13Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > > [@Smapti](#): > > > > and try not to spill hot nacho cheese on exposed flesh. > > Just how often does this happen? It only takes once to be a _highly_ memorable experience. Trust me on this. I’ve never worked retail, but I have made an overgenerous portion of nacho chips back when they let customers ladle their own sauce from the cauldron of almost-boiling sticky cheeze substance. It was … memorable. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/33 "2022-10-15T21:16:23Z")
I haven’t worked at 7-Eleven but I do work retail and I have also worked at the gas station connected to our main store. I find that saying “I’m new here, please be patient because I’m not quite as fast as the experienced staff” can go a long way towards getting customers to slow down, especially in regards to things like requesting elaborate lottery ticket orders or piles of cigarettes or the like. Will it always work? Of course not, we’re talking about retail, but it will help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I find saying “Hey, just want to be sure I have this correct” before asking about something you were told before helps. Some people will give you a hard time asking for ID’s. DO NOT let them intimidate you. The law is extremely unforgiving about that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/34 "2022-10-16T00:18:52Z")
Night time is dangerous. I worked in a gas station, in the 80s, and I got beaten senseless by three guys,who did not ask for the register at all. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/35 "2022-10-16T01:41:55Z")
Woof. Thankfully, I think she’s only going to schedule me the 3-11 shift, as I requested. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/36 "2022-10-16T02:04:50Z")
A surprising number of people do not seem to understand that, for instance, being scheduled to come in at 9am means that you need to be ready to work at 9am, and not just mosey on in at 10:30 or 11:00. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/37 "2022-10-16T02:07:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Some people will give you a hard time asking for ID’s. DO NOT let them intimidate you. Listen hard to this advice, if you get caught not following the law in your state, not only will the store get a big fine, most likely YOU will as well. Card everyone and if management doesn’t back you up, contact their bosses. Don’t take shoplifters and vandals personally. They really don’t care about you at all, you are just part of the furniture. Don’t take crabby people personally, you are not stupid and you are a good person, the person screaming at you over 7 cents in change is not a nice person and isn’t at all important. They can’t get you fired, all they can do is try to take some of your happiness because they don’t have any of their own. If they do get you fired, walk across the street and apply to the Circle K who has been looking for people for weeks. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/38 "2022-10-16T02:21:07Z")
> [@JaneDoe42](#): > > Card everyone I’m hearing this advice enough in this thread that I think I’m going to heed it. I haven’t been doing that. (I was told to just put in my own birthdate). I believe the rule in Virginia is you have to card everyone who you think might be under 30. Or possibly 40. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/39 "2022-10-16T02:32:39Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I believe the rule in Virginia is you have to card everyone who you think might be under 30. Or possibly 40. You shouldn’t just _believe_, you should **know** , your employer should have been very clear about the laws. Grumbles about babes tossed to the wolves. Card everyone, every single time. It is much easier to be consistent, plus you don’t have to hear people whining about “Why did you card me when you didn’t card her?” Also, when you have a few minutes go to [Not Always Right](https://notalwaysright.com/popular/) and mentally role play some of the situations you might be faced with. Good luck to you and thank you for working a sucky job so I can run in and white cheddar popcorn when I have the munchies at 9 pm. You are doing a very important job and most of us appreciate that. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2022, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276/40 "2022-10-16T03:22:01Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > I’m hearing this advice enough in this thread that I think I’m going to heed it. I haven’t been doing that. (I was told to just put in my own birthdate). I believe the rule in Virginia is you have to card everyone who you think might be under 30. Or possibly 40. Yeah, do this. Depending on where you are at, you are personally responsible. I know someone in Texas who spent some time in jail and longer on probation for not carding someone for alcohol. If you card someone who’s of age, they should be flattered. I’m sporting a skullet and a white beard. Getting carded is comedy for me, but it still happens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-advice-for-working-at-7-eleven/973276.md?page=3)