u/Ash_7741

I swear every shift at my job has a new problem lately.
For context, I work alone in a coffee truck.
Two weeks ago a brand-new POS system was randomly installed while I was working. Nobody told me it was coming. Then later that same day my manager swapped it back to our old system.

Fast forward to today, I show up for my shift and the new POS is suddenly back again. This time it also has a new card reader attached that wasn’t there during the first installation. Again, nobody told me it was being switched over nor how to use it.

I had to figure out how to clock in by myself, and then I had to learn the payment system while customers were standing there waiting. Transactions took forever because I literally didn’t know how to use it. I asked neighboring businesses (who use the same system) if they could help, but nobody helped.

I had several customers waiting close to 20 minutes while I tried to figure everything out. I kept apologizing and explaining that the system had just been installed and I hadn’t received any training. Thankfully they were all really patient and understanding, and I eventually got transactions working, by myself, but I still only know maybe 1/4 of what the system does. (Square is what we now have)

Then, on top of that, we got our monthly specialty menu. The problem is that employees create these drinks, but there are no standardized recipes. We have 7 drinks total and I only came up with one, (which that drink got changed, so now I don’t even know how to make my own drink idea). Someone else creates the drink and we’re expected to just…guess how it’s was made.

Today I guessed on one drink, and the customer came back because they didn’t like it. I’ve also had customers tell me, “That’s not how so-and-so usually makes it,” and then they had to explain the recipe to me because I didn’t even have one.

To make things even worse, we were also out of several ingredients because management hadn’t restocked items we requested, this happens ALOT, so I had to tell multiple customers we couldn’t make the drinks they wanted.

Every single customer interaction today had some new issue attached to it.

The frustrating part is that management is quick to threaten firing people or blame employees whenever customers complain. But we’re expected to learn a brand-new POS with zero training, make drinks without recipes, and sell menu items we don’t even have ingredients for.

Is this kind of disorganization normal in independent coffee shops, or is my workplace just especially chaotic? I feel like this is only happening where I’m at. I’m mostly venting at this point because today’s shift felt like I was being set up to fail. This job feels like I’m being set up to fail.

For context, we've been friends since 2019.
Earlier this year, we went to Comic Con together. The day was great until the last couple of hours. My brother offered to pick us up instead of us taking the train, which I thought would save us time and make things easier. Unfortunately, he ended up running about 25 minutes late.

My friend gets very anxious when plans change or things don't go exactly as scheduled. Because of the delay, she became withdrawn, passive-aggressive, and even snapped at me in front of other people, making a big scene, which was embarrassing. Eventually, she stormed off and took the train by herself, leaving me alone in the city.

What made that especially upsetting was the context. We were both in the biggest city in our state by ourselves for the first time, and she'd told me beforehand that one of her biggest fears was being alone in the city. I spent the day reassuring her, yet when she panicked over the delay, she ended up doing exactly what she was afraid of walking off and leaving me alone instead. My brother arrived shortly afterward, 3 minutes exactly, and we still would have made it to the station on time, so the situation never actually required that reaction. That incident made me wonder how she'd handle bigger, more stressful situations if her instinct is to leave rather than work through the problem together.

The Comic Con incident wasn't/isn’t really the main issue. It was the final straw after years of noticing the same pattern. Whenever plans change or it's getting close to the end of a hangout, she becomes anxious because she wants to get home to feed her horses. I completely understand that responsibility, but instead of simply saying she needs to head home, she often shuts down, gets short with me (snapping), makes passive-aggressive comments (sometimes even toward our parents), or disengages entirely. It makes the end of almost every hangout stressful instead of enjoyable.

Another issue is that she's constantly on her phone during hangouts. She'll stop conversations mid-sentence to text her parents, then never come back to what we were talking about. I have no problem with her checking in with them, but after it happens repeatedly, it makes me feel like our conversations and the time we're spending together aren't important. I even told her that I wouldn't mind if she just said, "Give me a second to reply to my mom," and then came back to the conversation afterward. But that's not what happens.

After Comic Con, I took some space and eventually explained how these repeated behaviors had been affecting me. I told her I felt like I was constantly walking on eggshells, emotionally drained, and that I no longer enjoyed hanging out because I was always anticipating these situations.

She did apologize to an extent, but she also said that's just how she is and that she isn't going to change. She also doesn't take criticism well, so whenever I try to talk about how I'm feeling, she becomes defensive and the conversation quickly spirals into a mess.

We haven't spoken since March. During that time, I've realized I don't know if I even want to continue the friendship, or if we're better off just being casual friends instead of as close as we used to be. I don't hate her, and I don't think she's a bad person. I just feel like I've outgrown the friendship, and our personalities and communication styles aren't as compatible anymore.

AITAH for stepping back from the friendship because I feel emotionally drained and no longer enjoy spending time together?

I work at a coffee truck where shifts are 5 hours, but it’s often extremely slow. (0-3 customers a day, and very long stretches with no customers. Yesterday my first and last customer was at 11:22am, I get off at 4pm). All employees work alone at this place, and we work in a truck that is very small and compact.
Today, management introduced a rule banning all personal electronics (phones/laptops, etc), except in emergencies. The reason given was a customer complained that the stand didn’t feel “warm and inviting,” specifically that the window was closed and they assumed no one was available or the employee was distracted.
There were also concerns mentioned about cleanliness of the grounds and the customer restroom.
The situation I’m struggling with is:
There are often long periods (hours) with no customers at all
Opening duties, cleaning, and restocking are completed before opening (for me anyways)
Electronics were used during downtime when there was nothing else to do (which is 99% of the time)
We are still expected to appear fully attentive and ready to greet customers immediately

I should also add some context about why the window is sometimes closed. We’re located right next to a very busy road and near a hospital, so there are frequent sirens and loud traffic, which hurt my ears. We also deal with bugs and pollen getting into the truck when the window is open, which has occasionally resulted in drinks needing to be remade.

Additionally, because I work alone, having the window partially closed sometimes helps create a small barrier for safety and comfort, since we occasionally get people approaching who aren’t there to order (soliciting or inappropriate/uncomfortable interactions).

In addition, I previously would greet people who walked up or even just paused near the truck, but I noticed most would immediately walk away, and in one case a customer even yelled at me, “no, I don’t want anything” and left. Which was bizarre. Because of that, I shifted to waiting until customers approach the window and seem ready before greeting them, so they can look at the menu without pressure.

I understand the goal of making the stand feel welcoming, but I’m struggling badly with this new rule. What should I do?

I’m going to be an assistant director for this tv show coming up very soon and I’m stressing out already.
This will be my first time being a 1st AD, I’ve been apart of two other projects as an AD but both fell through before we could even film anything. I’m stressing out because although this is an indie tv show, it’s going to most likely be huge within the area and everyone else is super experienced.
I have experience within film, I was an actor starting in 2023 and I’ve been doing other crew roles since 2025, but never have I been an AD, so I’m very inexperienced in that realm.
I have talked with ADs to get some help and done research but I’m still stressing. I need some further help so I can be fully prepared and not look or be lost.

What things do ADs do and what should I expect? What can I do to be a great AD?
Any tips are greatly appreciated.

I know I should get over it, but I’ve kinda lost my passion for the Mavs, since they traded Luka I haven’t really watched the Mavs. I used to watch every single game and been a fan since I was little. I went to the finals games in 2011, watched dirk retire, saw them draft Luka, witnessed the era of Dwight Powell starts, but since Luka was traded I lost my interest.. maybe with coop and kyrie next season I’ll watch again. I do like what the Mavs are cooking up with the new staff.. but yeah it’s been a big gut punch. I’m still an MFFL though!

What are some of the best films about someone who slowly loses their mind?
I’m currently writing a film and need some inspiration. In the vein of fight club, black swan, and memento.