I've been working in retail for nearly four years, and it has most certainly proved to be the most.. interesting job I've ever had. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I've met many friends through it and I feel it has taught me how to work with the public efficiently. However, it has also taught me some lessons I never thought I would have to learn. You may think that working in a department store would be a pretty simple task, but the reality is that you have not seen crazy until you've worked retail.
1. Patience
The number one virtue you must have to get through your retail job is patience. Sometimes you'll be folding shirts all day only to look back and discover they've been destroyed within minutes. Sometimes you'll be stuck at the register for 20 minutes past your shift because the store is just way too busy. No matter what is testing your patience at your retail job, just take a deep breath and try to relax.
2. Coupons are serious business
Although I can't say for sure, I would argue that coupons cause the vast majority of any store's problems. You just don't mess with a customer and their coupons. But sometimes you don't have a choice. Coupons usually come with all kinds of restrictions written on the back that most people don't bother to read, which of course will make them super upset when they can't use it on the items they wanted. If you calmly point out the restriction on the coupon and explain to them why they can't use it, they'll understand (most of the time that is; sometimes they get really angry).
Another issue with coupons is that customers want to use several at a time. At my store, and at most other stores I believe, you can't use more than one coupon on a single transaction. Which means that you have to split up their items into several transactions. The shopper in me thinks this is completely acceptable because, hey, you gotta save as much as you can, right? But the cashier in me wants to cry because multiple coupons can hold up a line, which makes the other customers testy which makes me stressed. It all goes back to that whole patience thing we discussed earlier. This is especially irritating during the holidays, which brings us to our next lesson..
3. November and December are the worst months ever
The store becomes a hundred times messier and busier, which means you'll be working longer and later. Now just add that on top of trying to get all your gifts bought and your holiday plans straightened out. It's a nightmare. On the plus side, the paychecks are pretty sweet.
4. People make things that are not bathrooms into bathrooms
OK so I thought this kind of thing only happened in the first store I worked at. But I recently just moved and transferred to a different store and within my first two months someone has peed in one of the fitting rooms. The fact that this has happened on more than one occasion astonishes me. To the people who do this: I have to know why you do this. I'm not looking to judge at this point, I'm just genuinely curious. WHY?! Please find me on Twitter and DM me. I really want to know.
5. Sometimes when a customer is asking for "thongs" they really mean flipflops
I once pointed a lady asking for thongs in the direction of the lingerie department. It was a truly embarrassing moment for the both of us.
6. It is actually a really rewarding job
It just the little things about working retail that make it worth while. Maybe it's helping a girl find the perfect outfits for her senior pictures, or helping a frantic couple find a perfect suit in time for their daughter's wedding. Maybe it's the two little girls and their grandfather who came in two years in a row and had you help them pick out back to school outfits (I really miss them since I've transferred stores). It's even just seeing someone's face light up when they see how much money they've saved on something they really needed. It's these small things that make all my crazy stressful days at my job seem insignificant.
