If you have a summer job and work in retail, you know and relate to the joys that come along with the job ( a lot of folding and customers who think you are below them).
1. Yes, I work here.
It always amazes me when I’m folding clothes, have a name tag on, and have a walkie-talkie clipped to me that people come up and ask me, “Do you work here?” I wonder if they seriously don’t know or say it out of courtesy. Either way, I still smile and say, “Yes, I do” even though I may be thinking, “No, I actually don’t work here; I just enjoy folding clothes in random stores.”
Side note: I can’t 100% blame them because I’ve walked up to people wearing red in target asking them questions only to be told they aren’t an employee.
2. No, I don't work here.
This is what I always want to say when 5 o’clock rolls around and it’s time for me to clock out for the day or my break. I tear off my walkie, start fast walking to the break room, and rip off my nametag, hoping no customer will recognize me, but sure enough…someone comes up and says, “Do you work here?” or skips that part and asks me if I can reach a pair of shorts for them. Obviously I can’t lie, but man, I want to.
3. Why are you yelling?
I can’t even count the number of times customers will bellow for me across the store or while they are standing right next to me. “MA’AM, DO YOU HAVE THIS IN A MEDIUM?” I get scared constantly because a customer comes out of nowhere and wants to know where the baby shoes are.
4. Read the sign.
For some reason, people always think it’s a bartering system, and the prices on the tags are simply a suggestion. If we are having sales, the signs are above what is on sale and clearly state what is on sale. No, the pair of jeans you picked up next to the table of sweaters for $10 that says “Sweaters now $10” are not also $10. Just because the clothing you want is next to sale clothing doesn’t make it on sale, too.
5. Please don't ask me if you look fat.
This question makes me so uncomfortable. You do not know me; why would you think I would honestly tell you if you looked fat? That is so rude.
6. I don't make the rules, I just follow them.
I did not make the return policy, I simply follow it, and the computer system won’t allow me to not follow it. I didn’t decide to stop selling your favorite tank tops, but, yes, please scold me and tell me how upset you are and how you drove so far for those tank tops only to find out we don’t sell them. Threatening to call corporate on me isn’t scary, because they are the ones who actually make the rules, and they will tell you exactly what I tell you.
7. Folding the same pile of clothes seven times.
You know when you fold a pile of clothes, you will come back in 20 minutes to find it destroyed, fold it again, come back again, fold it again; it’s a constant cycle. You know it will not remain folded until closing time.
10. Appreciating polite customers, more than they'll ever know.
Thank you for not yelling at me when the receipt printer runs out of paper and I have to refill it. Thank you for not telling me every price I rang up for every item is wrong, and thank you for not rolling your eyes and telling me how ridiculous it is that your coupon is expired. Thank you for treating me like a person who has a life outside this store.
11. Closing time.
You close at 9 pm, but there will always be that customer that runs in at 8:59 smiling innocently and saying, “I’ll be quick.” Really? You’re going to look around, find clothes you like, try them on, send pictures to your friend, ask for a different size, get your friend’s approval, pay, and then leave in less than a minute? No, we all know you are going to be here until 9:30, and you know we can’t do anything about it.
