New barista

I just started this week, but it’s been awhile since I’ve worked food service and never anything so corporate.

I’m struggling with the upselling. I’m fine offering extra shots in their drinks or whatever but greeting people through the speaker by immediately pushing food products feels so forced. Does this actually help them sell more food?

I am also having a hard time with the forced conversation at the window when waiting for drinks. I like to tell people it’ll just be a minute wait and if they want to chat with me that’s fine, but I’m being pressed to keep the conversation going, ask how their day is and it just feels so awkward. I am bad at small talk and it feels like such a redundant conversation because we’re both just going to say our day is good and then what.

Has anyone else struggled with this? I’m just finding it difficult, I’ve never worked somewhere that pressures their workers to do little things like that. I know every location will be different but will I be screwed if I don’t force food promotion down customers throats or make painful small talk