This summer, I decided to ignore the many warnings my employed friends offered and search for my seasonal job at the mall. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I love clothes, so why not spend my days surrounded by them? And after a month of working the register, using my employee discount and struggling to retrieve shoes on the top shelves of the back room, I have realized retail work is not for the faint of heart. I've also discovered that no matter where you work, retail employees understand the struggle. May we find solidarity in the struggle and get through the summer unscathed.
1. I have searched the entire store to figure out where this white lacy shirt is supposed to go. Why does every item in our store look the same?
2. Why do people think they can return items after 30 days? Can you not read the receipt? Can you not read at all?
3. Ok, there's only one hour left in my shift. That means I only have to get through 10 minutes six times and I'll be done. I can do this. 
4. Should I buy this? I get a discount so maybe I should just buy it. I mean, I definitely should, right?
5. I never understood the true terror of teenagers until I started working at the mall. They travel in large, intimidating packs and never buy anything.
6. Excuse me, the government takes how much out of my paycheck?
7. And just when I started to remember where everything went, they reorganized the store again. Why do my managers do this to me?
8. I'm getting paid minimum wage to sweep up broken fingernails and catch shoplifters.
9. Alright, I'll go pee once these girls leave my section. Please, just leave my section. For the love of God, go look at shoes.
10. Why yes, I did just fix that table of shorts you ransacked to find a size six. And yes, I would love to spend another 30 minutes reorganizing it all over again.
If any of these sound even slightly familiar, remember, you are not alone. Us retail employees have got to stick together unless we want to be overtaken by teenage shoplifters and customers who leave clothes in the dressing room.
