To customers of retail,

I'd like to share with you a few things that we, as employees of retail, don't appreciate having to deal with in our stores. There have to be little things that irritate just about everyone, right? Pet peeves or things we wish people didn't do?

This is a list for those that shop in retail on how to properly approach us if you need any help.

1. Use kind words, please.

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This isn't much to ask of. When answering your questions, we love to be of help to you, but it makes it more difficult when we're not appreciated through kind words. If there is a real problem, please ask to speak to a higher authority. No one likes dealing with people who aren't kind to others when trying to answer questions and to resolve any issues.

2. Don't attack us online.

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Because there are social media platforms of all sorts, there are ways to review a visit. Sites like Trip Advisor, Reddit, Yelp, etc. are all networks for those who are too lazy to review a place themselves and want other feedback first. There becomes reason for commenting when there was an issue, but it would be more appropriate to approach us in person when this occurs. By blatantly making a comment online about how unhappy you were with your visit, there becomes a barrier between stores and customers, making it to where they cannot reach out to help. All that this does is put pressure onto future potential customers and whether they'd like to shop there, and in turn, stores don't make as much business. If anyone understands how difficult it already is to stay in business with so many competitors in the retail industry, it really makes us unhappy when we aren't able to resolve an issue that could have been resolved in the store.

3. Got a complaint?

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It's okay if you have a point you'd like to get across. There's a time and place for that. The only thing being: we ask that you aren't aggressive about your complaint(s). We appreciate constructive criticism and comments about how we can improve our customer service to better assist you, but we don't take harsh and brutal complaints very well. It doesn't help to make us better employers and employees when all that you have to say is that our prices are too high or that you didn't find the size that you were looking for. Unfortunately, most of that is out of our control, and all we can do is apologize, even when it isn't our faults.

4. I'm on my break...

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Don't get us wrong, we work to help and assist you to the best of our abilities. But there comes a time where we're clearly on a mission to get to the break room, to go get lunch, or to use the restroom. We don't want to be bothered during this time, but unfortunately, when wearing a work uniform, we are always preyed on for help. If I'm walking past you and paying attention to my cell phone, please ask someone else for help. If I'm speed walking to get somewhere, please ask someone else for help. If I'm in the process of walking into the restroom… please. Ask someone else for help.

5. Put it back where you found it.

Photo by Clay Banks

It can't be said in a simpler way. As an employee who has mostly closing shifts in the evenings, I see everything. Every misplaced item, article of clothing, toy, car keys, cell phones, ID's (oh yes, it happens), etc. If you decide that you don't want to purchase what you have in your hands, it would be most courteous and proper to place it back where you found it or to at least bring it to the register. Yes, we clean up our stores at the end of the day, and yes, we re-organize everything that looks poor; but when there are things in the wrong parts of the store, it gives us a defeated feeling knowing that a person knows we have to put it back where it belongs because it's our job. It's like a library: you'd put the book back where you found it, wouldn't you? If you were in our shoes, wouldn't you want the item back where it belongs so you don't have to deal with it later, rolling your eyes at the ridiculousness? It's the little things that count. Literally. It's that easy, and it makes our lives much simpler. We already have to change out our garbage, place returns and exchanges back on our shelves and racks, re-organize and pull items to the front of shelves, and pick up after people. This is a PSA: please return it where you found it. Case closed.

Working in retail is one of the most difficult positions to hold in the workforce world. There are tons of responsibilities, things we wish we didn't have to deal with (mostly customers who give us a difficult time), and policies to follow all at the same time. Containing all of these rules and making people happy can be challenging, but this is what we ask of retail customers. Please and thank you.