1. Weekend Nights.
If you have worked retail at all you know you're going to be working until close on some weekends. It's tough, I know. Having to respond to your friends with the whole "I can't I have work:/" Just to go on Instagram on your break and see what is happening without you there. You probably have thought to yourself that you're young and should be enjoying life, so why not quit right now? But then your half hour break is over and back on to the floor you go.
2. Wanting any task that will keep you off the sales floor.
"Can I have a volunteer who can unpack all this shipment?"
I would seriously have scrubbed the floor out back with a toothbrush if it meant I didn't need to be wandering the sales floor trying to talk to customers who really didn't want my help anyways.
3. Sales Goals.
In any store you work at there is goals to be made, between conversion and how much you sell vs. how much the store makes in a day. Each employee has to sell so the store can make a goal, which is totally understandable, but the pressure can be unreal. The worst part is in some places everyone has a set goal, which can lead to more pressure, and if you've worked at Victoria's Secret, then cattiness too.
4. The customer that wants you to be their personal shopper.
This is fun and all, but I have other things to do. I'll help you find what you need and get you into a fitting room, I'll even listen to you when you make small talk about the weather, but I'm not following you around while holding your items as you circle the store a hundred times. I love you for wanting my help, just make sure you say name to the cashier so I get some points, okay?
5. Picking up after customers.
Think about folding a pile of shirts, approximately 25, and that one customer goes over to it, needs a medium and grabs it from the middle of the pile..destroying your perfectly long time spent shirts that were lined up perfectly. You said words in your head about that customer that you wouldn't even say to your own worst enemy. Breathe. Swear under your breath. Fold. Repeat until someone ruins the next pile.
6. Working with friends makes it all the more better.
Except when you get in trouble for talking to them out on sales floor. If you worked retail with your friends before, don't lie, it's happened to you and it will happen again. Retail whatever, friends are forever.
7. The Stragglers.
How do you not feel weird with all the employees watching and waiting for you to bring your things to the register after we've closed 10 minutes ago.
or even worse...
8. The customer who comes in at 8:59pm
The worst part? We have to be nice to you and tell you it's okay. It's our job, just know you're still a big jerk.
9. You probably tried getting out of working Black Friday and it probably didn't work.
"I'm going to be away." Yeah right. You'll request it off and you will still be on the schedule. Have fun calling out of this one. See you on the floor at half past midnight, bring me some Starbucks if you can.
10. After clocking out and going home you realize it's not that bad.
You probably dreaded the drive in, and was bummed you couldn't see your friends, but at the end of day you have a job, you can afford your own things and you should be proud. You're gaining work experience and learning a lot from others around you. Of course you don't want to work tomorrow morning though, who does?
