I work in retail and I have no issues talking to customers while I’m helping them out. No matter if its 1-on-1 or I’m talking to a large group, I can conversate, crack jokes, and have a nice chat about literally anything.
My coworkers see this and I know what’s going through their heads. “Why is he so open and outgoing with customers but so closed off with us?”
I don’t get it. As soon as it starts to get quiet and it’s just me and my several coworkers on the shop floor, I’m quiet as a mouse. I see them chatting and having fun conversations, I just can’t join in for some reason. It feels way less natural than with the customers.
My manager even yelled “Someone go over and talk to (my name), he looks sad and lonely.” That was pretty embarrassing