The Retail Life

My parents raised me to be non-confrontational and always taught my siblings and I to be peacemakers and to be slow to anger. And so when I got my first customer service job as a retail pharmacy tech, I had to quickly learn that I cannot please everyone and sometimes people will be unhappy, especially when it comes to the health industry.

In one instance, I can remember learning that there is a way to be firm and direct when talking with adults while still being empathetic and doing my best to offer solutions.

It was about some months ago on a typical Wednesday evening, and I had clocked into work at 2 p.m. This was during the spring, towards the end of May, and it was a beautiful day outside. As a pharmacy technician, I usually end up filling prescriptions and cashing people out in the front. It depends on what station I was assigned to, and I alternate with my coworkers throughout the day.

About two hours into my shift, I was working the drive-through station, and a woman pulled up in a black Sudan.

“I’m here to pick up my prescription," she says, with a rushed tone to her voice.

I patiently ask her for her information and look up her profile.

After some moments, she tells me she needs a specific antibiotic.