a story of overcoming anxiety
I go to Wawa all the time, anybody who follows me probably knows that :)
Overall I’ve never had a bad experience with them or their food!
I decided to try something new and get a jalapeño popper quesadilla instead of my usual veggie, it didn’t say anything about meat being on it and it gave me the option of removing or adding any toppings I choose.
I removed the bacon and added some extra veg and placed my order.
I watched a worker start putting it together and ask her coworker “Is there supposed to be chicken on this?”, without looking the coworker replied with a yes.
I assumed she was making food for the coworker to take home since she was on the other side of the counter by the door, but then she left.
I got my quesadilla and when I opened it there was shredded chicken everywhere.
I don’t eat meat and it was impossible to pick off entirely.
Needless to say I was very disappointed.
I checked the kiosk three times and even double checked with my sister that it never said anything about chicken.
We agreed it did not so I faced my fears and approached the counter to tell them it was made wrong, or that they should at least disclose the presence of chicken in the product since it is a major allergen.
The lady immediately apologized and explained that she was new, took my ticket and made me a new one free of charge!
This just taught me that things aren’t as scary as the seem and that asking is the only way to solve the problem :)
Another Wawa win for the books, their customer service is amazing and I left satisfied (and with an extra quesadilla for my sister!)
You know, that Wawa moment really got me thinking. How many times have we all just accepted something that wasn't quite right, just to avoid that knot in our stomach? I swear, sometimes the thought of speaking up feels like it could trigger a full-blown anxiety attack, even for something as simple as a wrong food order! My brain goes into overdrive, imagining the worst-case scenarios: what if they get mad? What if I sound stupid? What if they can't fix it anyway? It's a genuinely overwhelming feeling, and it’s something I know many of us struggle with, not just in big life moments, but in these little everyday interactions. That's why seeing the message 'Embrace the courageous Mess you are!' on that Wawa cup after my experience really hit home. It’s a reminder that it's okay not to be perfect, and it's okay to feel anxious. The 'mess' isn't just about things going wrong, like my 'Wawa got my order wrong' moment; it's also about the internal struggle we face when trying to navigate social situations, especially when we need to advocate for ourselves. It takes courage to step out of that comfort zone, even for a quesadilla! What I learned from that day is that most people, especially those in customer service, are actually there to help. They don't want you to have a bad experience, and often, they're grateful for the opportunity to fix a mistake. Before I approached the counter, my heart was pounding, but I took a deep breath and reminded myself that I wasn't being rude; I was simply stating a fact and asking for a resolution. Having a clear, calm sentence in mind helped a lot – something like, "Hi, I just got my order, and it looks like there was chicken in my quesadilla, but I ordered it without meat." It's not about confrontation; it's about clear communication. And honestly, the relief you feel after you've successfully navigated one of these anxiety-inducing moments is incredible. It builds a little bit of confidence for the next time, making those 'anxiety attacks' feel less powerful. So, next time you're facing a small hiccup, whether it's a coffee order mix-up or something else, remember my Wawa story. Your feelings are valid, but don't let them stop you from getting what you need. Who knows, you might even end up with an extra quesadilla for your sister, and a renewed sense of self-empowerment!
