Something weird happened to me today. For whatever reason I keep thinking about it. I kind of want to cry for some reason. Don’t know if it’s because of social anxiety and the fact I can’t stick up for myself. I don’t really know what I’m feeling besides shock. 

I work retail. My boss brought a customer to my section that needed help. This customer was on the heavier side and had trouble walking/breathing. They themselves said they had issues breathing and asked me to slow down when walking. She ended up sitting on the table where we have shirts folded which caught the attention of another coworker. This coworker asked her if she was alright (like I said obvious trouble breathing and looked tired). This lady kept saying she was going to the hospital in the next few days. I continued to help her and she was very satisfied with the service. She saw my name tag and told my coworker she will ask for me every time she comes. A man joins her and she tells him how happy she is and that she is ready to check out. I told them to have a nice day but before I leave, the customer leans in (I’m thinking she is trying to make me only hear something) but she ends up hugging me. I was frozen in place. I basically ran away and told my coworkers who told my boss. 

I hate hugs and this is a stranger. Also Covid is still going around and I’m not fully vaccinated. I feel like such a loser since I wasn’t able to speak up when I realized she was hugging me. My coworkers are all joking about it. My boss didn’t even ask me if I’m ok and instead asked me what she ended up buying. This also isn’t the only time I feel uncomfortable at work but am unable to stand up for myself. There are sometimes customers who ask me personal stuff such as my age, my religion, if I’m dating or customers that come up to me without a mask (masks are still mandatory where I live) or ask me to check the tags of their clothes that they are wearing which I hate since I don’t like that. I never say anything because I’m afraid of confrontation.