I hate when my transactions are interrupted by people who clearly see I’m with another customer. Is there no common curiosity anymore?
How do you manage to juggle customer without feeling overwhelmed?

Similar to when a guest walks into the hotel, up to reception desk and starts talking, while I'm on the phone. Even better when they answer questions I've asked of the person I'm talking to on the phone!

I just do my best to try and help the customers as best I can sometimes it means juggling customers between both registers, both smart check outs and the diesel register at the same time. For me it comes with having years of juggling multiple things at the same time. It’s not always easy however and when I struggle with it I tend to apologize and let them know I’ll be with them just as soon as I finish the current transaction.

Pause what I’m doing, welcome them in, and let them know I’ll be with them in just a moment. I do not like having to take that pause, but it’s hard when somebody comes up and interrupts.

Whoever interrupts me, gets ignored until I’m done with my current customer.

Entitlement has been next level since the pandemic. I give them a polite but direct "Give me a moment to finish helping this customer, and then I will be right with you."

Happened to me when I worked at Walmart. People would approach me all the time when I helped someone else. I used to be polite and suggest them to either wait or find someone else to help. I mean I am one person and I can be at only one place at a time.

At my Cashier job at the flea market, this happens way too often with vendors who have questions about their spaces we've sold. They drive up get out of their vehicle as traffic is incoming or I'm working with another customer. We've been instructed to tell them they must be in their vehicle for us to help them. In a way it's up to the customer to listen and follow the provided instructions. I take a deep breath usually to collect myself and work with my current customer before addressing the customer who interrupted my current interaction.

effective pause with some non verbal communication...

I feel that. I usually just take a deep breath, give a quick smile, and keep moving—trying to treat each customer like it’s the only one in the room.

Yeah, that’s the worst. I usually just pause, acknowledge them quickly, then refocus so no one feels ignored.

Qqqq

I'm sorry, but sometimes you have to multitask. It's one thing when somebody interrupts with a question that might require a long explanation. But, I see nothing wrong with asking what aisle something is on when you're in the process of doing something time consuming.

Im not sure exactly what kind of service job you have, but I was in food serice and this type of situation would happen all the time. Honestly if someone came up that I knew just needed something small I would acknowledge them in a break of speech and say something like "just one moment and I'll be right with you." Or Id quickly call for someone else to assist them and point when they arrived. Always with a smile to still seem friendly. If they were straight up interupting the flow of me assisting another customer I would either ignore them and then help them once I was finished with the customer in front of me, or Id do a similar thing where I would pause everything and look at them and say "Im sorry, I am assisting another customer at the moment, I'll be with you when we have finished."
Its frustrating and it comes with the job but dont let them walk over you. You can be polite while being assertive.
I also tell people I've seen who cut lines to step back behind the customer who was there first like "um, I think that gentlemen was next." Then ask the other customer "Sir, are you ready? Or is it okay for these people to go ahead of you?"
Idk if that is helpful to you or not but you know stand up for you and your customer.

I tend to manage these type of interactions well. Even after making contact with them they give me the death stare. I try calling for someone to assist them.

I've had people come up, clearly see I'm helping someone, and proceed to demand I stop and help them instead.

Do you receive any training on company policy that you are asking complete strangers what you should already know what the company that PAYS you wants you to follow or you just have no ability to prioritize as well as being the one apparently paid to be in charge to speak up for yourself and ask on a professional tone as well as inform callers and those waiting before you they will be seen shortly.