6 Reasons Why You Should Work Retail At Least Once | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

6 Reasons Why You Should Work Retail At Least Once

Because it should be considered a very important life experience.

201
6 Reasons Why You Should Work Retail At Least Once
Bing Images

I've been working retail for almost two and a half years now, and I absolutely love it. I've learned a lot along the way, and made many friends, too. Here's a couple reasons why I think everyone should work retail at least once in their life.

1. It teaches you patience.

This is a big one. I have three younger sisters, and we were all homeschooled, so we saw quite a bit of each other all day (and even that is an understatement). I'd like to say that they have helped me prepare for the patience that I have gained/needed while working with the general public. It really is one of the best things to learn, even if it doesn't always bring you the most joy in the moment. I know it will definitely help prepare me to be a mom someday far into the future, as well as continue to help me in college and in life.

2. You'll make great friendships.

When you're around people for any length of time, you start to get to know them better, and vice versa. In doing so you share memories, laughs, jokes and have the ability to help each other with any number of things. Some of my favorite people are my coworkers, and I'm not just saying that because I know some of them may read this. I truly am blessed to have each one of them in my life, to help build and grow me, and challenge me in, and outside of work.

3. It enhances your "people skills."

Because being around diverse cultures and opinions definitely grows you as an individual. Plus, it teaches you how to handle different situations, and how to respond to other people's personalities when they react to those certain situations. All around it really grows you as a person to be around a variety of different lifestyles, people, cultures and communities, no matter what kind of job or career field you end up working in.

4. It gives you more empathy.

Empathy isn't always something that comes naturally to everyone. But, when you see that other people have things going on in their life that they can't control, and you get to see bits and pieces of their heart, it can make your day to even make a moment of theirs. Not only that, but it can also help you to see that the problems you thought were big in your life, sometimes are very small in comparison to what other people may be dealing with. It puts everything into perspective.

5. You learn to always say things politely. Always. Regardless of any situation or obstacle.

Sometimes when people are reacting to those aforementioned situations, they aren't the calmest or the nicest in their responses. But, still, you carry on and continue to do your best, trying to solve the complication to your greatest capacity. If it's something you can't handle on your own, you ask for help. Which brings me to number 6.

6. You learn to not be afraid to ask questions.

I can't tell you how many times someone has asked me a question that I didn't know the answer to, especially when I first started. But, I think asking questions is a big part of growing up in general. If you need to know the answer to something, or someone else needs to know the answer, "...never say, 'I don't know'" because while you may not know the answer, someone else definitely does. Asking questions can grow their knowledge and yours all at once, that way the next time you're asked that question, you'll know what to say.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Gilmore Girls
Hypable

In honor of Mother’s Day, I have been thinking of all the things my mom does for my family and me. Although I couldn’t write nearly all of them, here are a few things that moms do for us.

They find that shirt that’s right in front of you, but just you can’t seem to find.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Reasons To Thank Your Best Friend

Take the time to thank that one friend in your life you will never let go of.

6109
Thank You on wooden blocks

1. Thank you for being the one I can always count on to be honest.

A true friend will tell you if the shirt is ugly, or at least ask to borrow it and "accidentally" burn it.

2. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

A best friend will love you regardless of the stale french fries you left on the floor of your car, or when you had lice in 8th grade and no one wanted to talk to you.

Keep Reading...Show less
sick student
StableDiffusion

Everybody gets sick once in a while, but getting sick while in college is the absolute worst. You're away from home and your mom who can take care of you and all you really want to do is just be in your own bed. You feel like you will have never-ending classwork to catch up on if you miss class, so you end up going sick and then it just takes longer to get better. Being sick in college is really tough and definitely not a fun experience. Here are the 15 stages that everyone ends up going through when they are sick at college.

Keep Reading...Show less
kid
Janko Ferlic
Do as I say, not as I do.

Your eyes widen in horror as you stare at your phone. Beads of sweat begin to saturate your palm as your fingers tremble in fear. The illuminated screen reads, "Missed Call: Mom."

Growing up with strict parents, you learn that a few things go unsaid. Manners are everything. Never talk back. Do as you're told without question. Most importantly, you develop a system and catch on to these quirks that strict parents have so that you can play their game and do what you want.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
tv.com

"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments