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Customer service?

I work at a fast food restaurant and I seriously lack customer service. I sometimes do a cashier but I get awkward with almost every customer, and they become awkward with me too. It's really stressful and embarrassing. Many customers also have a little hard time hearing what I'm saying, because my voice quality is what's not easy to hear. I feel like I'm an amateur staff at this restaurant. What's worse is that English is my second language. I usually pronounce some words weirdly, or mix up sentences. Sometimes I can't think right away what would be appropriate/professional things to say to a customer. My question is, how can you transform from an amateur to a professional?

Public Comments

practice practice practice
Practice makes perfect. Just keep working on it and I'm sure you will be fine. Speak up and know the menu. You'll be fine.
practice makes perfect
You will probably do better working at 7-11 or some sort of convenience store!
That easy, you are a customer of other places when you are not at work right? Go to other places and see how its done, what service you receive. Observe, learn, practice. Do learn off people in banks for example, pick a proper 'service industry' role e.g. a waiter, a concierge, the front desk at a nice hotel etc But, one thing I've learnt, there are alway customers who go looking for a confrontation becasue they have no life of their own, so don't let one bad one ruin your day, be happy to take their money!
what all could you possible you saying besides may i take you order or the amount of the ticket? if i were you, i would strive to stay an amateur at a fast food place you don't want to become a professional burger flipper/ cashier forever.
Practice makes perfect. As long as you are friendly and polite and do your best to make sure your orders are correct, that's the best you can do! Just practice some simple phrases until you get them right: "Hello, how are you today? May I take your order?" "Thank you, have a great day!" ...or something along those lines. You will get the hang of it! Good luck! :-) Edit: I understand Lady Blair's comments completely, but I was just watching on MSNBC last night a man who started out as a cashier for McDonald's in the 1970s...he is now CEO of the McDonald's corporation...so being in the food service industry is not necessarily a bad thing if you work hard...there are greater opportunities to be had if you want them bad enough.
Two easy steps! One ~ Smile! A pleasant smile and a friendly manner makes up for many things. If you smile and treat people in a friendly way, they will be more patient with you and also respond in a friendly way to you. Remember ~ others also pronounce words 'weirdly' and not everyone speaks perfect english, even if they have been born and raised to speak only english! Two ~ Concentrate on what you are doing. Customers resent it when the staff member who is serving them makes repeated mistakes or appears flustered and nervous. Take your time (not too slow), and get it right. Then thank the customer for their patience. If there are some customers who come in regularly, and look friendly, make a point of saying to them, "Thanks for always being so patient, it is hard to learn a new skill at my age". This will let them know you are a beginner and they will not be so tough on you. Even if someone is rude, put it immediately to the back of your mind until later (then say a few nasty things about them under your breath). Do NOT complain or ask for mercy ~ simply go on with your work. If you say nothing, but simply go on to the next person and do the best job you can, others will respect that you are making an effort. If you concentrate on your work, and put on a happy face, you will find the days pass more quickly and soon you will have gained the skills you lack. In six months you will wonder why you found it so tough :-) Everyone had to start somewhere and one thing you do NOT lack is customer service ~ because you have shown you do wish to serve your customers well. You may not yet have the skills, but you certainly have the right attitude! Good luck and best wishes ! :-)