Being young usually comes with having a low paying job, usually starting at a retail shop. Chances are, you've worked in a retail shop or small mom and pop shop once in your life. I've been working in retail for the past year while attending college. I've worked at different places as I've been back and forth from New York and South Carolina. The products may vary, the customers may too, but let me tell you this, the issues don't. Yeah maybe minor ones, but retail is retail. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy working in retail because I get to interact and develop people and communication skills, plus the awesome discounts. Yet, working in retail can deal you plenty of crappy days depending on whats to come.

Customers being a major part of this. I love having to interact face to face with new people every day. I like to engage in conversation to see where they are from, what they are doing here, and what they are looking for. Especially because I am currently in Myrtle Beach, tourists are the majority of our profits and there is never a dull story about how they just blacked out the night before and they are looking for an apology gift for their wife for being a drunken fool. On the other hand, you deal with a lot of snobs. People who believe they are above you because you work at a retail shop.

There are not a plethora of these kind of people however, if you are one of them, I ask you to think twice because most employees like myself are aspiring lawyers, doctors, and other majors. In fact, one of my co-workers is a retired lawyer looking for something to fill her time. Do not judge because you may be misguided. Then there is the customers who want nothing to do with you. I can't exaggerate the amount of times I've approached a customer and simply said "Hi!" only to get a response of "I'm just looking". Well dang, I didn't even ask if you needed help. Please ask for help. I am begging you. It fills our time and helps dilute the fact that we still have 6 more hours. We actually enjoy answering questions and helping out. I've had so many people mumble to their friends about if they should ask and they don't want to bother me, no please bother me, it helps me gain sanity and helps you get exactly what you came for or even gets you what you needed but did not know. We study the store and know it by heart. Thanks to being the greeter, I can tell you exactly how many hats we have left of each style and even how many tiles are on the floor. Oh, and most likely each store will have a greeter, so if your thinking about stealing, think twice because standing up there all day, the excitement of catching people steal is encouragement enough to be on the look out at all times, yet we still have fools who try it.

I must say this, working at retail stores is still fun. You get to meet new people, learn how to sell and communicate, and deal with issues like these. It may get old now and then but if you get the right people to work with, going to work isn't so bad.