Retail: A career field so dreaded by Millennials that the mere mention of the word is apt to trigger a Vietnam flashback of unfolded soft goods and Black Friday shifts. But it's not all bad. In my four plus years of customer service, I've come to love my position as a part-time sales associate. Here are some of my favorite moments and aspects of retail work:
1. The camaraderie between you and your coworkers
Nothing brings a group of people together like working in a high-stress environment with extended periods of inactivity between seasons. What I love about working retail is that retail does not care about your race, color, sex or ethnicity. To retail, you are a machine trained to operate a cash register, and because of this, you and the other machines become friends very quickly. Something about putting five people in a department store for several hours without being able to leave just works. I love the conversations I have with my coworkers, too. From professional wrestling, to Nihilism, to that shitty dude you dated in highschool, retail workers never run out of things to talk about, especially on slow nights.
2. When a customer asks a really specific question and you know the exact answer to it.
Yes, I know exactly what you need! I know exactly where it is in the store! I can offer you advice on product usage based on my own experience! I can relate to your need for the product because I also own said product! I can also recommend you other products that fit perfectly with what you're buying because my add-on percentage is low for the day and this will definitely get me in good graces with the boss. Knowing you knocked a sale out of the fucking park is probably the best feeling you can have in retail. And on that note...
3. When a customer actually appreciates your hard work and is super polite to you and understanding.
God bless you, sir. You make up for every old man who's yelled at me for addressing them with our mandatory company greeting. You are a gentleman and a scholar.
4. That employee discount/Employee Appreciation Week
Especially when you work at a brand you actually like. I love finding something I really like, waiting for it to go on sale/clearance and then using my discount. Now, if only I worked at Polo....
5. That feeling of getting home after a six-hour shift, taking off your shoes and finally sitting down.
It's probably very similar to how this pig is feeling. The combination of knowing you worked your *ss off, made some good money and can finally chill out is pure bliss. Back at it again, tomorrow!
