u/batman_of_the_gotham

Being an apprentice is not that simple as some people want to believe. This is the third time I am learning under somebody, and now I am at that stage that I am just tired. Like… is it me? Or do I simply always wind up in the wrong places?

Among various things I have learnt about myself is that I do not respond to negative feedback well. Whether it is constructive or not, it will not matter and when it comes out as negative, my brain will automatically respond. But the depressing bit is that in most cases I am not really in the wrong. I know my job. I’m not guessing. I know what I am about. But it never really matters, somehow.

Either it is swept under the carpet, or the single little problem is magnified or they simply decide to side with the customer in order to retain business. And that was just what happened yesterday.

One of the women presented herself with a car patch. I explained to her plainly, depending on the damage, a complete repaint would be more suitable. She demanded that it be only patched. Ok, I did as she requested.

Not long after, she comes back complaining that the work isn’t good. And, as you know, my boss sides with her. No questions. Nothing.

And I understand, he does not want to lose a customer. This is particularly true because he already has been stocking up on other interior accessories at Alibaba and is likely to want her to purchase more. But how is that just to me? Why does it always appear that it is the individual who actually does the work that is blamed?

This incident simply pushed me. I lost my temper, and I will not even pretend that I did it perfectly. But it was building up for a while. There comes a time when it ceases to be about learning and begins to feel like you are there to take the fall on behalf of all. And that is the bit that I am finding hardest at the moment.