Hi everyone, sorry if this is a messy post, this is actually my first time writing something proper and posting it for real.
I'm 34 and work at a shop in Khon Kaen city. Been here almost three years (actually about 2 years 10 months). At first it was chill, customers come in we just do our thing, small team, people were pretty close. But in the last 2–3 months things changed a lot and now I'm overthinking and totally confused.
It started with a new store manager who transferred from another branch. That person seems organized, but the way they talk to the team changed noticeably — more frequent low-key shouting, and around closing time they’re always acting irritated. Sigh, feels like the casual atmosphere disappeared.
There are behaviors that make me uncomfortable, for example they give front-counter work to the morning shift to finish, but then in the evening they have me fix it up. They say it’s “faster” but often don’t tell anyone in advance, like they didn’t finish preparing the work and expect me to come in and sort it. Sometimes the fix literally takes 2–3 minutes but they blow it up like it’s a big deal. I’m so puzzled.
Coworkers are starting to split into cliques, there’s a chat group for the break room, they pair up for meals. I try to join in but I don’t fit in well. There are unspoken rules like don’t talk about salary, don’t criticize the manager. If I stay quiet it's okay, but sometimes there are jokes about customers that I don’t like so I sit silent and then people act weird like I’m outside the group. Confusing again.
One thing that stuck with me: on a day off someone left a small box of snacks and a little plastic coffee cup in the break room around 2pm. The manager came in and said, “Don’t leave stuff like this often, it will bother others,” with a tone that completely killed the friendliness. I feel like I’m still doing my job well but now I’m being watched for no reason — or am I just being paranoid?
I don’t like a lot of protocol, but I also don’t want my coworkers to be uncomfortable all the time. If something should be said directly, just say it — why does everything have to be this quiet-system nonsense. I’m really confused haha.
I talked to a close colleague and they told me to accept it or quit if I can’t stand it, but I like this job. It’s convenient for my family, Khon Kaen is close, customers are nice, but it’s been draining my spirit for days.
What should I do, friends? Any ideas on how to talk to the manager without being confrontational but still getting results? If you have any phrasing tips or simple lines I could use, please share T_T