This afternoon I got called in to talk with the shop manager at our little branch in Samut Prakan out of the blue. I was sweating, totally confused.

Short version: I’m a 26-year-old barista, been at this one coffee shop for almost a year. I sell lattes, make coffee, do some pastry stuff as needed. I’m responsible and I usually come in earlier than my shift because they’re often short-staffed. This morning the manager told me I work too slowly, and then listed a bunch of specifics — some of which aren’t actually slow on my part but are caused by stock system issues or the kitchen sending stuff at the wrong time, or online orders coming in bunched and not sorted. Still he pointed at me directly saying, “You need to do better.” He said it in a casual tone but it felt very pressuring.

I stayed quiet and tried to explain that I’ve reported the stock and kitchen timing problems many times, and people have seen me rushing until my hands are shaking. He still went on about speed and attitude and that I need to be more “proactive.” I get that point, but there’s a way to say it that doesn’t feel like a personal attack — this felt like being singled out. I felt uncomfortable. And it’s not just a one-off; this kind of thing happens repeatedly. Usually it’s passed off with short comments like “do a bit more” or “let’s help each other,” which I can take. But when it’s like this, it makes me scared of making mistakes.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m being too sensitive or overthinking it. When the manager was talking, two other people were there. One coworker smiled and nodded like they agreed, but after the manager left I noticed that same person intentionally made a similar mistake and the manager never spoke to them. That’s what’s really bothering me.

Another thing: this manager assigns tasks without giving priorities. Like he told me to take photos of a menu for the page, then check stock, and told me to prep milk first because lots of customers were coming. When I went back to check stock I found the kitchen hadn’t finished working on the butter yet, so I had to rush. Then when he checked he said it wasn’t done properly — but if he’d told me the correct order I might’ve handled it better. It’s so confusing.

I want to be direct but I need advice on how to adjust or how to talk to him without making the atmosphere tense. He’s a good person in many ways but his communication style makes people feel blamed unintentionally, maybe. Should I just keep quiet and change how I work to survive, or should I ask for a mediated talk to clear up system issues and define job boundaries? I worry it’ll make me look like a crybaby to coworkers, but I’m really tired. T_T

Or am I just overthinking? What do you all think I should do?

First time making a thread so sorry if I messed up 5555