10 Things I Learned in My First Year of Retail
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

10 Things I Learned in My First Year of Retail

You will learn so many people skills and life lessons that it's incredible!

28
10 Things I Learned in My First Year of Retail
Youtube

1. Some people are just rude and you can't help it

No matter how nice you are to some people, they will still treat you like the worst person on the planet. You can be as nice as possible about a certain situation and some people will still "want to speak to your manager."

2. A lot of people think we make money off of our sales but the truth is, we don't.

I just sold you that $599 computer and that $700 office furniture set, but I get 0% of that money, and that's okay.

3. You're going to take turns with your co-workers about who gets to deal with THAT customer next.

There is always going to be THAT customer. They come into your store every week with an expired coupon, the new ad in hand and always have something to complain about, and sometimes you just can't make them happy no matter what you do.

4. Your coworkers are honestly some of the best people in the world.

You may not have a relationship with some of them outside of work, but having someone there on a daily basis that you can actually talk to about life and work together on certain projects is always good. My job actually led me to being friends with someone who is now one of my best friends. Having friendships at work makes everything a little bit easier.

5. Some days you just don't want to go.

Honestly, no matter how much money someone could offer you to stay, you just want to go home. There are going to be days that you just have way more important things to do than to go to work and deal with other peoples issues.

6. You're going to have your regular, every week customers.

These customers tend to be really great people. You form relationships with them even though you may only see them for an hour once a week. One of my regular customers got me a graduation present a few months ago and I had only ever really spoken to him a handful of times.

7. People will steal anything with no shame.

They'll do it with a camera staring right at them, when employees are following them and then come back into your store a few days later and buy something else. It's still shocking to me the little things that people will steal.

8. You learn really fast how to multitask, and how to multitask well.

Some days there is only going to be 3 people working, and 8 customers needing attention. Those days, your skills will come in handy.

9. People will cause a scene.

You're going to have people that don't realize other people exist, and need your undivided attention. Sometimes those people are going to scream and holler and not even realize that they are embarrassing themselves.

10. Retail isn't easy, but the skills you learn are absolutely incredible.

Retail was my first job, so I really don't know any different, but I can honestly say that I don't think any other job is capable of teaching you so much at once. You will learn so many people skills and life lessons that it's incredible!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

43341
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

27251
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952185
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

144470
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments