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How do I overcome the fear of cashiers?

163 Answers
Last Updated: 04/23/2022 at 2:09pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
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Tara Davis, Doctorate in Counselling Psychology

Psychologist

I have worked successfully with a wide range of difficulties. Nothing is more important than developing a warm, compassionate relationship with someone you can trust

Top Rated Answers
OctopusGarden
November 3rd, 2016 2:39am
Remember that they might be just as anxious as you are. Both of you are strangers to each other, and it can be discomforting to meet new people.
shysoda
June 24th, 2016 3:54pm
I didn't understand how to until I became a cashier one day. While it may seem like a cashier is watching your every move and judging silently, they're most likely just thinking about when their break is, or how much longer until they get off of work. It's also important to note that humans are natural energy matchers, and most are empathetic and might understand being anxious about a fear of cashiers too!!
carefreemindsets
June 23rd, 2016 12:25am
As a cashier all we want to do is help you! It is our job to give you the best experience and often we are just as scared as you having to speak to so many people we dont know everyday. Unlike the customer we are the focus behind the cashier so being shy is not an option for us. We are just as nervous as you if not more and some might not seem like it because its our daily job and we've gotten used to it!
BlaineGROW
August 11th, 2019 3:53am
That's a tough one! I personally have a fear of walking into a store and leaving without purchasing anything. I'm deathly afraid of someone thinking I've come into the store and stolen something. So I'm awkwardly keeping my hands visible and not reaching for my pockets. It's weird.. I know.. :D There are more thorough resources available on dealing with this fear; however, I'll share some quick tips that I believe might be helpful (I'm using my background that I've gathered here on 7Cups to answer this). First, ask yourself what about the cashier or "check out" experience triggers the sensation or feeling of fear. Worded differently, what are you afraid of? To identify the cause, you may try speaking to a trusty friend or writing your thoughts down in a journal. Once you've identified some elements (or at least made an attempt), put together a goal and an action plan. (See below for example). Remember there are exercises available online (including on 7Cups) to help with this anxiety (including "Challenging Your Thoughts" and "Overcoming Avoidance"). EXAMPLE: Goal: I want to practice interacting with a cashier briefly. Commitment: I'm going to say hello to the cashier when I walk into the store. Obstacles: My fear that they'll think I'm dumb or weird might stop me before I even walk into the store. Solution to Overcome Obstacles: I'll bring a friend! Reward: I'm going to buy myself a candy bar because I put myself out there and accomplished my goal (and because I love chocolate/candy bars).
LiveLifeOnCadence
August 12th, 2016 5:47am
Cashiers have a job to do. You have something you want from them. In order to rid yourself of the fear of cashiers, remind yourself that they're only doing their job and that talking to them is a necessary step for getting what you want
AprilRose18
June 3rd, 2017 4:45pm
Cashiers are normal people just like you and me (which might sound patronising but it's true!) Cashiers have a job to do and see tens, if not hundreds, of people a day so don't think that they are focusing on you as an individual. Just think, if you fumble with your money or stutter when talking to them, they encounter people from all walks of life all of the time so won't focus on you alone. It might help to have your money in your hand before you go to the counter as it may calm your nerves. You may never see that person ever again so it doesn't particularly matter how the encounter goes. Just remember - they're normal people too!
ShadowedXHunted
June 22nd, 2016 9:00pm
I was a cashier for a bit as well as a TV salesman. Realize that cashiers are just people. We probably really hate where we are in life at the moment as it's not exactly a glorified place to work. Most of them will just say "Hi." and continue scanning items. It's up to you if you want to continue a convo from there.
Anonymous
June 23rd, 2016 7:16pm
Realize that cashiers are people just like you. They have made mistakes and gone through things in the past just like you have. And here's something that always helps me. "In 20 years from now, is this going to affect me?" And the cashier is just there to help you, not inflict anxiety.
Rajnin
June 29th, 2016 8:11pm
One way is try to ignore the cashier when checking out. after awhile start looking at them. then after that try talking to them.
HotCocoaWithMarshmallows
May 5th, 2017 6:19am
Remember that they're just people like you, and that it's literally their job to be nice to you. Also, you only have to interact with them for a short period of time and then you'll probably never see them again. As a cashier myself I can guarantee that they'll forget you by the time you get 10 steps away. If you think about it it's actually one of the lowest-risk interactions you can have.
hippiehugs
September 9th, 2016 10:28pm
first of all, they're not there to harm you in any way, be aware of the fact that they don't pose any danger to you and they're just doing their job. you can talk as little as you please and when the cashier has finished scanning your stuff you can pack your purchases and leave. if you flash them a smile or say goodbye when you leave, they might do the same for you and both of you have a nicer day. remember that they're all just people, working and living their lives without expecting anything from you. no worries, you got this :)
Anonymous
July 16th, 2016 12:37pm
Try to remember that cashiers are regular people, like you and me. My social anxiety used to paralyze me when I was shopping but now I try to recall that these people are human and that a smile or a nice greeting from customers can make their day, the same way a lovely interaction could brighten mine.
carefreeNarwhal88
July 31st, 2016 8:54pm
You got to be brave, take a deep breath, and relax. It'll be ok just be confident and go for it!
Anonymous
September 25th, 2016 1:14am
The best way to overcome your fear is to go up to a cashier as much as possible. The more you do it the better and more confident and comfortable you will soon get to feel about it. If you are getting really panicked take deep breath in and out just before you go up to the cashier and say to yourself "you will be alright, no need to be scared of a cashier" saying it in you rather than I makes your brain register it better in my experience.
Anonymous
February 19th, 2020 5:42pm
Cashiers and checkouts can be so intimidating. I like to try and remember that I am definitely not the strangest, most unsociable or awkward person that they've seen that day. I've learned that cashiers often truly don't care what people buy or how they present themselves, in fact, they just want to get their jobs done. I used to feel like all customer service people were just constantly judging me, but I realized I was actually judging myself and making myself insecure over things no one else even noticed! Cashiers are people just like you. They're usually nice enough and will just go on with their day without a second thought.
Anonymous
April 26th, 2018 2:21am
Realize that they are people too. Cashiers are people trying to do their work as quickly and competently as possible. They are not out to hurt you in any way, and will likely forget who you are unless you gave them a hard time.
Anonymous
January 29th, 2020 10:59am
I didn't understand how to until I became a cashier one day. While it may seem like a cashier is watching your every move and judging silently, they're most likely just thinking about when their break is, or how much longer until they get off of work. It's also important to note that humans are natural energy matches, and most are empathetic and might understand being anxious about a fear of cashiers too!! Also Cashiers have a job to do. You have something you want from them. In order to rid yourself of the fear of cashiers, remind yourself that they're only doing their job and that talking to them is a necessary step for getting what you want
AlwinS
January 17th, 2020 8:16pm
I like to first look at the situation from the cashier's perspective, the job can be very repetitive. You have the opportunity to make their work shift a little brighter. They are usually happily surprised if you start a little conversation with them, it can be about anything! Even a 'Hey there, how are you today?' can lead to a positive outcome, a conversation or a smile on their face. Another benefit of practicing this is that you come across as a very confident person. It may be difficult at first, believe me, we all have struggled to start conversations, myself included! However, once you learn yourself to ask them how they are or how their day is going, you will gain the confidence you need and you no longer have to fear them! I am sure you guys all got this!
laylajewelz
December 26th, 2019 3:10pm
Practice! make extra stops buy coffee and gum in separate places, also when making purchases with more items like grocery shopping on your way to the register start calculating the costs before you reach the cashier so that you have a ball park for what the purchase should be you can even calculate the sales tax so this way the cashier is not telling you anything u didn't already know and the total should be just a confirmation of your calculations. That confirmation should reassure you and the prior calculating should ease anxiety smooth your check out. You could also try getting a part time job as a cashier if you become one of them it will put you in the situation to understand them better also you will have to interact with lots of different people, it could build you socially and eliminate social anxiety all together.
RainyMemory97
October 30th, 2019 3:27am
You can start by taking small steps. First, you may not have to say anything to them though you can just get your items checked out and leave. Do this step until you feel comfortable with this step. Then, you can just make small eye contact or just say hi without looking up while focusing on your items needed to be checked out. You have to continue with this step until you feel comfortable and normal while doing this step. You can continue to make little changes to this process, like the next step could be eye contact and saying hi together, and then the next step could be doing those things along with asking them how they're doing or how their day is going. It's okay if you are feel uneasy when doing the next step, and if you're not able to complete it, then just simply go back to the previous step and practise that until you feel ready to take on the next step and it won't be that scary for you like before.
melody06
October 17th, 2019 8:51pm
Well I would have to say the first step to do if you want to overcome the fear of cashiers is to push yourself to go up to cashiers more often than you usually do. Also, maybe try communicating with the cashier, start a simple conversation by asking how his or her day is. By pushing yourself to to go to an cashier more often than usual will help over come your fear. Also, by trying to start a short and friendly conversation with the cashier will as well help you over come your fear by making you realize that they are just like you, just trying to get through the day. By the end results now you feel less feared of cashiers and wouldn't mind being around them any more.
Anonymous
August 31st, 2019 12:31am
as a former cashier, i promise you that they don't care. i don't mean this in a malicious way at all, but if you happen to be struggling with anxiety (or social anxiety, specifically) then i promise that you don't need to worry about cashiers judging you. they just do their jobs, and i promise that they have seen weirder things than however you're interacting with them. cashiers are people too, and if the mean little voice in your head decides to shout a little louder, try to remind it that it's being unrealistic. good luck!
meteoritee
August 8th, 2019 3:11am
I got ahead of my fear by slowly exposing myself. I started somewhere I felt safe, with a friend with me. Then I did it without the friend, then in a new shop with a friend, then without a friend. It took a lot of time, and I'm still working on it, but I'm getting there. It also helps that when you're struck with the fear all of a sudden, especially when waiting in a line, just to go over the options. Think to yourself, "what's the worst that can happen?" and remember to be realistic. Trying to figure out from where your fear came from can also be a huge help.
Anonymous
June 15th, 2019 4:51pm
I just think of it like their a schoolmate, I don't talk to them often but I still socialize with them whenever I see them. I find it easier to speak to people in general if I think of the world as a school setting because it help assure me that the people surrounding me can not cause me harm. It also helps me to relax while checking out to start a lighthearted conversation with the cashier. Things such as talking about the weather or even reporting something like a a water spill in one of the lanes in the store can help a lot.
wonderfulSunshine91
May 1st, 2019 3:21pm
Almost everyone has an irrational fear or two - but I've never heard of one about cashiers. The same principle applies though as with any irrational fear. The most effective way to overcome a phobia is by gradually and repeatedly exposing yourself to what you fear in a safe and controlled way. During this exposure process, you’ll learn to ride out the anxiety and fear until it inevitably passes. Through repeated experiences facing your fear, you’ll begin to realise that the worst isn’t going to happen. It's important to create a list of things that relate to your fear. eg. going to the shop, using self checkout ect.. and then slowly work your way up to exposing yourself to cashiers.
AngelSnake
March 31st, 2019 1:31am
Well, you have to think about why you are scared of them. I used to be very socially nervous too. And that's ok. It's who you are. Probably very nice, just more solitary. Try never to overload yourself with responsibilities but still, be determined to realise your worth. Ultimately, if you or your family were threatened, you'd probably say hang on, I haven't done wrong so why am I apologising, or we? Someone has to do something. Trust me in the end it's a good idea if you run through this whenever you can and start shooting back so to speak, though avoid being spiteful. Stay well mannered always. Chances are the person on the checkout isn't worried about you. They might even be nervous as well. I was sometimes working on a til if I forgot how to do something, or had a long queue, that sort of thing. You don't have to talk much. It's really just the feeling of confrontation, breaking that invisible barrier. Are you embarrassed about your appearance, or voice? None of it matters. Go slow, say please and thankyou. Refuse to panic- you're bullying yourself essentially. Eyes down and just go. Every now and then we do get a horrible person, grumpy or mean. If you are really offended stay quiet and then go to customer services. Never feed into conflict, others only beat you at it. If you start going back over it afterwards, distract immediately. It's ok to think but it's not worth worrying over. Bin your fears like bullies, don't water them.
Anonymous
March 30th, 2019 9:28pm
The best possible way to overcome a fear is to identify why you have that fear and then pushing that fear to the limit. If you can do it once and train yourself to continue to do it, even if you don't get it right the first time overcoming fears will be made easy. Always remember that you may not have the courage to overcome it the first time and that's okay. You just have to keep in mind that in order to succeed at overcoming a fear, you must be repetitive and relentless and strong. Getting a friend or a family member to come with you next time you go shopping may be a good first step in overcoming that fear.
windfox3
February 14th, 2019 9:20pm
Having been a cashier in the retail business for several years, the things you need to know about us are: 1. We really do want to help you and hear about how your store experience was because your purchases put bread on our table. 2. We have both great and terrible store managers. Some will praise us for the chats we have with customers, others will scold us and tell us to quit talking and work faster. We cannot always be as personable towards you as we'd like. If we're sulking or appearing distant, there's a reason for it - that has absolutely nothing to do with you. 3. If you fear conversation with us, a great ice breaker is to pick a product you're buying and ask us if we've ever tried it, if we like it, etc. This can be especially helpful to you for new products that you're not sure is worth the investment. 4. Small talk about the weather is completely okay, and not talking at all is alright too. We really just need a sincere thank you after ringing your order up - to ensure that you feel you've gotten decent service!
Anonymous
February 13th, 2019 1:58am
Sometimes it is nerve wrecking to go to cashiers and some people try to avoid doing it at all costs but the thing is, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. I was a cashier not too long ago and I can tell you with 100% certainty that we don’t really care. It doesn’t really matter what you’re buying or who you are, cashiers are just there to do their job and get paid. You just have to remember that cashiers are people too. Take a deep breathe and relax. If it helps, imagine talking to someone you’re comfortable with.
fixitbean
July 1st, 2018 12:10pm
Remember that this cashier is just doing their job! They deal with many many customers just like you every day. It is totally normal to feel anxious when approaching strangers, but remember that this person is just a human being doing their job. They want to talk to you!