Everyone loves the holiday season right? Late nights on weekdays and even later on weekends, cheesy holiday music on replay, stress, Christmas decorations out before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving decorations out before Halloween, rude customers, seasonal employees; not quite what you thought about when I said holiday season? Well, welcome to the holiday season from a retail associate's point of view.

First off, why are you already trying to buy Christmas decorations when we haven't even given thanks for what we do already have? And why do you think that it is okay to go psycho about all these deals or get in a fist fight over a TV only just a few hours after you did give thanks for what you do already have? There isn't much of a difference between a riot and the early hours of a black Friday sale.

Customers only really pretend to feel sorry for you when you're at work because, in reality, you're only there because they couldn't shop online or get their presents bought before the week of Christmas. You know every cheesy holiday song by heart because they all play on a loop through out all of your shifts for six weeks straight, and you hate every second of it. Someone always has a problem, someone always wants to argue about prices or the merchandise on hand. You always offend someone whether you say "Happy Holidays!" or "Merry Christmas!", but it doesn't matter anymore because you say those words so many times that they have lost all meaning to you. Your role in the store changes from a stocker or a runner to a maid because all you do is pick up the mess that all the customers make, and it never fails that the mess you just picked up will be just as bad, if not worse, only 10 minutes later. Your holiday spirit is ruined by all the late hours and sparkles permanently stuck to your hands. But management likes to think they can hide this loss of spirit by having you wear ridiculous holiday-themed attire. And let me tell you, even after Christmas, the stress does not end. All these people just come back to you wanting refunds for all the horrible gifts they received from relatives.

But don't worry, it's only 6 weeks, right? Everyone loves the holidays!