The Best (And Worst) Things About Working In Retail | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Best (And Worst) Things About Working In Retail

We are never, ever, ever going to get to celebrate Thanksgiving, or Christmas Eve, or Easter... 4th of July, forget it.

1686
The Best (And Worst) Things About Working In Retail
Tumblr

Working in retail is a unique part-time experience.

There are many things we love, hate and love to hate about our jobs, including, but definitely not limited to:

1. The Customers

Best: Every once in awhile you will get a customer that is just really great. They are friendly and open to you helping them. It's a good feeling to help someone find something that they have been looking for forever, especially when the customer is appreciative of your work. They make dealing with all the bad customers worth it.

Worst: This could honestly be the worst part about working retail. Some customers are beyond rude to retail workers for no reason. I understand having a bad day and being frustrated because you're not finding what you are looking for, but that is not MY fault. This is ESPECIALLY true around the holidays I didn't make you wait until Christmas Eve to look for a present so don't yell at me for your procrastination...bud.

2. The Co-Workers

Best: I found some of my best friends working my part-time retail job. These are the people who you aren't allowed to work in the same department with you because the managers know you too well. They are the first people you run to explaining the crazy customer you just helped. They make work fun and help you get through the day. And most of the time, they are the reason that you stay at that temporary part-time job for so long.

Worst: There are always a couple people that you work with that you just don't like. Either they don't work hard enough or they work too hard. They aren't friendly enough or they are annoyingly friendly. But sometimes they are just plain creepy. Admit it, there are a couple people that you have worked with that you would NEVER want to be with alone in the break room.

3. The Managers

Best: Most retail stores have a system of lower managers surrounding the top-dog store manager. If you're lucky that store manager is a good one. If you aren't lucky then you learn to rely on the younger managers, the managers that are your age and wish that they could go out and party with you and your friends without repercussions. Stupid HR. These are the mangers that you love to joke with but hate to disappoint because let's face it you really need them on your side.

Worst: These are the managers who expect too much of the associates that are paid minimum wage and work ridiculous hours for them. They give you a list of everything that they want you to get done in the six or seven hours that you are going be there and you immediately start sweating. These managers are extremely critical of your every move. Every time they page you, you physically cannot stop yourself from rolling your eyes and then praying nobody noticed.

4. The Discounts

Best: These are so important. Especially when all you do at work is fold and pick up things that you want to buy for yourself. The temptation is real and thank goodness for the discounts that help my lack of self-control not kill my bank account.

Worst: Sometimes (most of the time), I act like my discount is more than it is and I use it as an excuse to buy things that I honestly don't even need. For example, last Fall I saw a blender and beach towel on sale while working and I had to buy them both. Why would I need a blender or beach towel? Who knows, but I got them because DISCOUNTS (and I haven't used it once).

5. The Hours

Best: Retail managers can be flexible about your hours and you definitely don't work the same time everyday or even every week. Since there are so many employees you are bound to find someone to trade shifts with you or even just take your shift for extra hours. It is a good job to have while you are younger and involved in a lot of activities. Worst: The hours can be crazy sometimes. Price changes and other special events take space and time that is not available while people are shopping so overnights are a big thing. The flip flopping sleep schedule is not great when you want to have a life outside of work.

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

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

1043068
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

958345
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

The Importance Of Being A Good Person

An open letter to the good-hearted people.

1356834
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments