How do I overcome the fear of cashiers?

A good place to start is to realize they're just people, and they're probably more worried about doing the job right and getting it over with than judging you at all! I was a cashier and I barely ever remembered people who came in because I was so focussed on not messing up. The only time the other cashiers said anything about a customer was when they were super rude, so if you're nice, you have nothing to worry about!

As intimidating as it can be going up to a cashier to check something out, just remember that they are only human. All they want to do is check out your items that you want to purchase. Most don't hold much conversation minus the "hi how are you" and "have a nice day"

Many people feel as though cashiers are daunting but they're just doing their job - let's face it, they serve hundreds of people every day as a part of their job and they're definitely not going to be judging you if anything 'embarrassing' happens.

To overcome a fear, you first need to understand the main cause of the fear. In this case, if you can identify what it is exactly about cashiers that makes you afraid, I think you'll be able to process your fear and handle it effectively.

You don't even have to talk to the cashier! Just hand them your items or place them on the conveyor belt, and wait until they tell you how much you owe. Hand them the money (don't worry if you don't count it correctly! They won't mind, I assure you. They'll either give you back the extra money, or tell you the remaining amount you owe), and out you go! While you're waiting, play a game on your phone or do something to distract yourself. :)

1. Play cashier games. 2. Watch videos about cashiers. 3. Train on relaxation techniques. 4. Encounter cashiers with an accompanying person. 5. Practice relaxation techniques when approching a cashier. 6. Keep a log. 7. Assign a self-reward for each encounter.

By first recognizing that fear is a future event. We only fear things we believe WILL happen. There hasn't been a fear of something that IS happening. When you realize this, you will see that the cashier is only taking and returning your money in that given moment. It will no longer matter what you fear will happen in the future - - in the moment, you just proved that you would be safe. :)

Try picking out a very warm and friendly one in a store. Watch for a few minutes to identify one like this and start by purchasing one simple item. Build upon this positive experience.

Start by going up to them with a friend or family member for a little while and then slowly start to go up alone to them. Progress very slowly so it is not one big dramatic change. Like when you start going alone have a family member or friend close by so you feel supported. As you progress have that family member or friend be farther and farther from you until you eventually are comfortable going up alone.

I think one way to look at this fear is to remind yourself that they talk to so many people throughout the day. They're taking notice and being attentive of you, but they aren't paying attention as much as you think. Heck, I'm a cashier and I still get nervous of customers. Especially moms and dads with kids, because that's a whole lotta eyes on me. Just take your fear in strides and remember that no one is paying attention as much as you think.

From hearing others talk about their troubles talking or interacting with cashiers, all I can suggest is to force yourself to communicate with them. They are usually very nice people and if you slip up they won't mind. That's just one of those things you have to make yourself get used to.

I usually let my parents pay for me, or I'll have my money ready before I get up there. But yeah, my parents do the paying because I'm too shy.

Sounds like you have some anxiety. Feel free to share more about it. What is making you fear cashiers?

Consider this; I’m a cashier. Please, don’t be scared of us! We deal with hundreds of customers a day, we’re used to all kinds of people. Personally, I will always try my best with customers, especially those I feel may be shy or anxious. I promise you, we’re not judgemental unless you’re rude to us. We’re just normal human beings like you, doing our job.

Realize they are a person just like you. They can get anxious and upset as well, they are there to do their job and help you to the best of their ability. If you’re nervous about something you’re buying, that’s okay. Again, they are just there to do their job. They aren’t going to judge you

Practice in the mirror. Talk to yourself and see how well you respond. Imagine worse case scenarios and respond to that as well. Preparing is the fist step and practicing it is second. Keep going and soon enoigh there will be no such thing as fear. Just another experience.

You can overcome fears by testing it slowly go into the store walking around walk out repeat situation each time getting closer to the cashier before pushing yourself to go there

To overcome the fear of cashiers, you can go up to the cashiers and start a friendly conversation and if you fail try again eventually you would be able to pay anywhere without fear.

There are many different ways of overcoming fears, but the most effective way is a method called "Flooding." With this, you are immersed in a place where there are only cashiers. Have pictures of cashiers in your room, complete transactions at stores, watch videos on youtube of transactions. In doing this, you are telling your body that the fear is not there and that everything will be OK (otherwise known as Desensitizing).

As someone with social anxiety who has also worked as a cashier, I can assure you that the cashier is not judging you or anything of the sort. I used to work as a cashier in both a coffee shop and a makeup store, and as a receptionist in a chiropractic office, and I saw so many people a day that each customer/patient was simply a blip on the map. I didn't even remember most of the people I helped, unless they were regulars. Try to remember that they are just people, too, and they may be feeling similar anxiety to what you are feeling! Try taking things one step at a time. Is it easier to manage this fear if you have a friend or family member with you? If so, start out this way; with someone by your side. Try and engage with the cashier as if they are just another friend. As you get more comfortable with a "safe" friend by your side, you can try doing the same on your own. Baby steps! Chin up :)

Identify where your fear is coming from, then figure out how to overcome that base fear.

Figure out why you're afraid of them then face your fears! You cannot get over something until you realize why you feel that way and confront it

I used to have terrible social anxiety but once I started working as one, I understood that cashiers aren't there to judge you. They simply want to accomplish their job and sometimes strike up a friendly conversation. But we are just normal humans like everyone else and don't believe ourselves superior.

As I’ve worked in a similar position cashiers do not care to remember you or anything about you, don’t be scared

Take small steps, try to begin by planning what you’re going to say, and congratulate yourself when you have done!

Maybe you can try becoming a cashier or talking to one? I understand what it's like to have fears. It's hard.

Just know that they are human just like you. Don't be afraid to ask them questions if you don't understand something. I promise they are not that bad.

Try looking them in the eye after checking their nametag to say hello. If this is too scary, try simply smiling.

Honestly, I find it really difficult to speak with strangers--especially in a store setting--so I've learned to just smile and try to breathe through it, chance are if you're smiling, the cashier will smile too!

This is gonna be a hard truth - but you just have to try it out one day. The problems with fears is that unless we challenge it, the fear just gets bigger and bigger in your head. I believe in you ❤