Working in retail is a rite of passage. If you can get through a job in retail, you can get through any job regarding customer service. I wholeheartedly believe that every single person should work a minimum wage job in customer service (retail) at least once in their life, then maybe everyone would gain an understanding of what it's really like to spend eight hours putting the customer above all else. Here are nine times when "Arthur" -- throwback to your childhood -- summed up thoughts/feelings retail employees have had at least once in their experience, if not every day.
1. You feel a special sort of frustrated abandonment when you ring the guest up, and when it comes time to pay, they realize their wallet is with another person and run to go get it...so you wait at your register.
I understand you don't want to carry the bag with your wallet, but you are shopping, so a wallet would be useful. I am sure the other people in line would appreciate it too.
2. The unnecessary but overwhelming feeling of rage when it is one minute until closing time and everyone comes in to shop.
I want to go home, but if you ask how much time you have to shop, I will have to tell you "As long as you need,", but I am most not thinking that.
3. I am never having kids.
After working in a store geared toward kids, I have come to see all the things that happen when they are told "no". From screaming and crying, to throwing all the toys on the ground, not to mention chewing on the stuff animals and drooling all over the place. There have been countless times when coworkers just turn to each other and sigh, "I'm never having kids,".
4. The feeling of helplessness when a guest is ranting at you about everything wrong, so you just stand there and take it.
I am sorry we don't have your size, or you didn't have a good day, or anything else that could have made you very grumpy. We all have those days, just please don't take it out on me.
5. The endless [dad] jokes you receive on a daily basis, usually the same ones.
Yes, the scanner is having a hard time scanning the item, no that does not this product must be free. The best experience I have had is when their significant other says something along the lines, "Honey, she must hear that joke 100 times a week, don't try to be funny." We do though appreciate the conversation, yet cheesy repetitive jokes just makes the situation awkward with our half-courtesy laugh.
6. The feeling of frustration you get when you just restock/reorganize an area, and coming back 10 minutes later it looks like a tornado went through the store.
You come to realize that still as adults, people never truly learn how to clean up after themselves, or put something back where it belongs. We aren't maids, but at times it sure feels like it.
7. That feeling of betrayal when you have helped a guest out, but they go to another coworker and asks the same question, as if you didn't know what you were talking about.
I promise you, the response I gave was accurate. Yes I checked in the back, no we don't have any more sizes, or any more in that color, or a different animal. I am not lying to you!
8. That moment when a guest throws their money at you when it comes time to pay.
When the total comes to $67.18, and a slew of dollar bills of all sorts it just thrown in my direction in front of me, I feel less inclined to take the money. My hand is out for you, but now it will take just a little longer for me to ring you up because I have to organize your money mess!
9. That happy feeling when a guest actually is polite and carries a conversation with you.
Retail isn't all bad. Some guest will carry a conversation with you, asking about your life, taking a, interest in you, and you feel human again; not some retail robot that only serves. The best guest are the ones who can make you genuinely laugh - it makes the day a little brighter.
