Ah, retail. Anyone who has ever held a retail job understands that it's not just as simple as folding clothes, running a cash register and telling people to have a nice day. No, there's so much more to it than that. In fact, many of us could agree that working retail is basically an equivalent to living in your own personal "Hell on Earth". For those of you who don't understand what I'm talking about, you obviously have never worked retail. Bless you. I myself have worked in retail ever since I was 16 and I have become very familiar with the struggles that we all face. The rude customers, busy weekends, crazy coworkers, awful scheduling...oh, and of course the most atrocious time of the year known as the holiday season. Yes, I recognize the struggle, and I know all of you retail workers do too.

1. That feeling you get when you're driving to work and know it's about to be busy.

Get your tears out while you can.

2. When you pull up to your job and the parking lot is flooded with people.

It's madness before you even go in.

3. Walking in and learning that someone called out when you were already understaffed.

You end up muttering this person's name under your breath for the rest of your shift.

4. When your boss asks you to do some horrendous tasks but at the same time also expects you to take care of every single customer, and all at lightning speed.

Don't ask me to do something you wouldn't be able to do yourself.

5. Weekends? What are weekends?

With Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays being the most busy shopping days of the week, you are guaranteed to work every single weekend. And if you happen to be off one of those days? You got lucky. Don't answer your phone because they'll probably end up calling you in.

6. When a customer asks you a specific question about a product and you have no idea what they're talking about.

I'm sorry, I don't know every single detail about every single item we sell. But let me find someone who can assist you with that.

7. That one customer that always comes in and gives you a hard time.

You know who they are.

8. When someone really attractive comes to your register.

Just act normal. Try not to blush, but maybe if you flirt with them they'll sign up for your store's credit card.

9. Having to constantly ask people if they want to sign up for your store's credit card.

You don't mind asking, but credit cards can be a touchy subject. If they're not interested, you can still offer, but drop it after that. You can't control that they don't want one and you shouldn't get reprimanded for it either.

10. The morning of a doorbuster or huge sale and you're getting ready to open the store.

Brace yourselves. You may or may not make it until the end of your shift.

11. When a customer asks how much an item is after a discount or when they give you change after you already typed the amount into the register.

You're basically a mathematical genius.

12. Not being allowed to take a break because your department doesn't have enough coverage.

You're about to pass out from hunger and exhaustion, but you have to keep going and act like you're happy about having a never ending herd of customers.

13. Seeing a customer come through and mess everything up right after you finished folding an area.

It's fine, they were only making eye contact with you while you were folding everything they are now ravaging through like an animal. But it's fine.

14. Getting annoyed at a customer for ignoring you and then realizing they're deaf.

Lord, forgive me for being an asshole.

15. Having to sit there as a customer tries to tell you how to do your job.

I'm sorry, which one of us works here?...

16. When a rude customer says they're never coming back to your store again.

Let's hope that's a promise.

17. Knowing that the day after Halloween means the start of the holiday shoppers, aka the worst time of the year.

While everyone else gets to enjoy their Thanksgiving, Christmas, the rest of the holiday season and "most wonderful time of the year", retail workers are praying for it to all be over. It's sad, but working retail sucks the holiday cheer out of you.

18. When your shift is finally over and your boss asks you to stay longer.

Run away and leave while you can. It's a madhouse in there. Go home and relax because you have to be back and do it all over again tomorrow.