Working at Target for a little over a year has taught me a few things. From the smiles and nods to the awkward conversations, working in retail could never be considered easy. Some people are just completely clueless when it comes to interacting with other people.

1. People will be appearing and disappearing faster than you can get to know them.

There may be five or six people that have been here since I started, which made me realize that retail is a revolving door. People get fired, people quit, people go to school, people come back from school: consistency in retail just doesn't exist.

2. Don't say you can work seven days a week because they will put you on the schedule every day.

A lot of people say they can work most days to seem flexible and open, but if you have other things going on in your life, make sure to give yourself some time to yourself.

3. People don't pay attention.

If you're a cashier and your register light is off, customers will still line up just because there isn't a sign that says "Closed."

4. Patience is a virtue.

If you're one of those people with a knack for communication, working in retail will either make or break you.
Sometimes customers are rude, but if you maintain a smile, they'll probably back off. There are always going to be the rude ones that try to tell you how to do your job.

5. You need to be friends with your coworkers.

Although work is exhausting both physically and emotionally, having a few friends there will definitely lighten the blow of an eight-hour shift. Plus, they understand everything you're going through.

But as much as I complain about working at Target, I've learned so much, and I've met some of my closest friends. There's the occasional customer that you get to know pretty well to the point where they seek you out when they come in the store. It feels good to be able to befriend someone so random.

Working in retail is no walk in the park, but if it has taught me anything, it's patience.