Oh Christmas present shopping. The fact that some people enjoy it is beyond me. For the past few years, I've simply sat down in front of a computer for 2-3 hours and knocked out all of my Christmas shopping from the comfort of home. Unfortunately, this may not always be an option for everyone, so as someone who is working my third Christmas season in retail, please keep the following things in mind. They're not really rules, but rather, guidelines.

1) Have your coupons ready.

Because this is your cashier waiting for you to scroll through every single one of your emails.

2) Pick out your items BEFORE coming to the register.

Seriously, any other time of year on a weekday, you constantly changing your mind is no big deal. However, when the line is out the door and your cashier can't go to lunch until it dies down, DO NOT constantly change your mind after the item has been scanned. PLEASE.

3) Yes, sometimes we come to work sick.

Thank you for looking at me like a horror movie villain for coughing into my elbow. Please keep the following fact in mind: I didn't call in sick because this money is already budgeted for bills. I am constantly handed people's trash (tissues, diapers, etc) as well as items a kid has sucked on and is now soaking wet with slobber. I get sick. I suck it up, and I show up.

4) Once the transaction is done, please don't hang out.

Again, this is more a busy-Christmas season rule. The only part of retail I genuinely enjoy is helping people and getting to be part of their day. But when the line is out the door, I don't have time for a whole lot of small talk.

5) Exchange pleasantries.

This is actually key to a helpful cashier. If the cashier opens with "Hi, how are you?" and you chunk an item on the counter followed by, "How much is this?" You're rude, and you just ticked off the person trying to help you. Yes, we say the same phrases over and over again, but it's called being nice. Which leads to...

6) Attitude is key.

Seriously, statistics don't lie and 10 out of 10 times, your cashier is going to be more willing to help you in any way possible if you're nice. The minute you turn hostile, we stop caring by about 100%. If the cashier can be pleasant after seeing hundreds of grumpy shoppers and standing for four hours straight, you can be nice.

7) Read the signs and sales BEFORE coming to the register.

Sometimes, the cashier can help quickly with a price of sale mix up; however, if you're not sure about any item, ask someone on the salesfloor. Otherwise, the cashier has to hold up the entire line to wait for someone to come look at the item, find it, and read back the sign.

8) Most importantly, retail workers are people, too.

Most of us are high school and college student. We have finals. We have our own Christmas shopping to do. We have bills. Some of us are introverts. We're most likely ALWAYS broke, ALWAYS tired, and some of us work multiple jobs. Busy mall means longer wait for coffee or lunch, people continuing to ask you questions after your shift is over, and breaks being cut short by crowds. We're stressed, our managers are stressed.

Please don't be THAT customer who makes our day harder than it already is. Keep in mind, cashiers are the bottom of the bottom of the food chain. We can only do so much.

MERRY CHRISTMAS. and remember to respect your friendly, exhausted retail workers, because...