This morning around 9:15 I was standing at the counter serving customers when the boss pulled the new hire aside to restock a shelf and whispered, “She wants this department to be hers.” I heard the whole thing, but I just smiled and kept working. Dead quiet after that.

Long story, but here’s the quick version — I’m 35, been working at a small grocery store in Hua Hin in my neighborhood, know a lot of people around here, have regulars. Been at this almost four years (about 3 years 9 months). Two months ago the owner brought in a new hire because they expanded the drink section a bit. I didn’t mind adding someone — more hands helps — but as soon as the new person came, I could feel the boss giving them lots of chances and I was like, huh?

Simple examples: the night shifts we rotate. Sometimes I get stuck with customers and have to swap shifts with a coworker, it’s fine to go home a bit later. But after the new hire arrived, the boss let her pick shifts and days off first, and I started to wonder if the standards changed. It’s not just shifts — extra paid tasks like stocking after close or accepting special deliveries keep getting handed to the new hire, even though I’ve asked to do those for a long, long time. I get a wishy-washy answer like “We’ll let this person try this round” a lot.

What stings is how mistakes are handled. If something small goes missing or a price is entered wrong, the boss calls a meeting in front of everyone and says, “You all need to be more careful.” The whole team blushes, but when the new person makes a mistake they get talked to quietly in private and it’s over. Sometimes she gets long break times too, like a 40-minute lunch when normal is 20. But when I ask for a short break for family reasons, I get looked at like I’m not serious about the job. That hurts. Or am I just overthinking?

Once I gave the wrong change — about 200 baht — after a crazy busy 45-minute stretch. The boss pulled me out front and reprimanded me in front of waiting customers. I nearly wanted to cry. The new hire once forgot to lock the toy cabinet in the back, and the next day someone from another shop said things had been taken. The owner just said, “Be careful,” calmly, and praised whoever reported it for being quick. I felt gutted, like the rules are being applied differently. I don’t like confrontation and don’t want to make things tense, but sometimes I just can’t bear it.

I’ve tried talking to the boss politely several times, saying I want more responsibility and to practice, but the answer is usually “wait and see.” I’ve been hearing that for a while while the new hire keeps getting chances. Other longtime staff have started grumbling too, but no one wants to be aggressive — everyone gossips quietly and the atmosphere might be getting worse. I’m torn about whether to bring it up officially or start looking for another job.

Another factor: I worry about reputation in the community. If I speak up too forcefully, I’m afraid of damaging my standing here in Hua Hin where everyone knows everyone. Making things contentious could make it hard to find work later. Or maybe I’m being paranoid.

One night I was eating a boxed dinner in the back around 10:30, thinking about it all and wondering what’ll happen if I keep putting up with this. Sometimes the stress makes me want to quit immediately, but I’m scared finding another job in Hua Hin will be hard — I have responsibilities and a small family to support. If I tell the owner straight up, I’m afraid the atmosphere will get tense, customers will notice, and everyone will be affected. I’m just confused and lost.

Sorry if I rambled — this is my first time posting. If I messed up the thread, sorry. Anyone who’s been through this, what did you do? How do I bring it up so it stays professional and not emotional, or should I start looking for a new job nearby in Hua Hin? Should I keep enduring, or am I just an old guy worrying too much? Please advise T_T

P.S. Be blunt if you need to, I can take it, but please don’t just tell me to quit immediately without reason, okay?