Working retail is not something everyone has the strength and patience to do. I work at a small hardware store, so I don't have to deal with messy stacks of clothes and big corporate systems and all the usual complaints. Most of the time it's great and I love where I work, but it also comes with its own occasional frustrations. We deal with so many things that many people never even think about, and we have all come to the conclusion that at least half of the human race is either not too bright or just rude. The lack of respect that people have towards retail workers a lot of the time really needs to change, because we are people just doing our jobs. Some of the things in this list are just some really stupid things we deal with rather than mean things, but either way, retail workers often get dehumanized. We are not robots, and we thank God for the people who are nice to us and treat us with respect.
That being said, here are some of the things that bother us most, but from the humorous perspective of Retail Robin.
1. Putting the money on the counter instead of handing it to us
This one is just rude. You know we are going to hand you your change. There is no reason for you to throw it all on the counter instead of putting it in our hand when we are literally reaching for it.
2. Running in one minute before close and saying, "Oh good, I made it!"
No. We are closing. We did not designate this to be your personal shopping time. Bonus points if you shop like we aren't trying to turn the lights off and close instead of just running in and grabbing the one thing you need quickly. I know you don't want to stay at work after you are supposed to get off, and neither do I.
3. Yelling when you don't get your way
Number one, the bigger the temper tantrum you throw, the less any of us will want to help you with anything. And number two, why on Earth do you think the cashier has any power to make decisions like giving you a discount anyway? I am not in charge of store policy, and yelling at me will not change that.
4. Complaining to the cashier about prices...
Yes. I, the lowly cashier, set every price in the store, decide what goes on sale, and choose what coupons you can use. Continue to tell me about how my prices are too high.
5. ...Or when an item is out of stock
Yes, I also do the orders for every section of this store. It is completely my fault that the item you needed did not come in on our truck this week. Continue to tell me that I need to order more next week.
5. Acting like you have never seen a PIN pad before
You come in here every day and still don't know you have to swipe your card yourself. Bonus points if you say, "Every one of these is different."
6. Hitting on the cashier
You are 20 years older than me, you smell like BO, and I have a boyfriend. I am here to ring up your items and send you on your way. I am not available. This is probably worse at a hardware store than some other places, but regardless, it needs to stop everywhere. Not only is it rude and misogynistic, it is creepy. Stop.
7. "It didn't scan, it must be free!"
I don't have any further comments on this one. This is not mean or rude, but this unfunny and overused joke needs to die. Like, yesterday.
8. Ignoring the person helping you because you are on the phone
When I am ringing you up, do not tell me to wait a minute because you are on the phone. We are trying to help you, and you are being disrespectful. I will void your items so you can take your gossip elsewhere until you are actually ready to be rung up.
9. Shunning us when we greet you
We put on our nicest smile and greet you as kindly as we can, and you return our kind gesture with a death stare. Is it really that hard to say something nice to someone?
10. Butting in and interrupting when we are helping someone
This person most likely waited for us to free up, and they deserve our time and help. You are not more important than them. Wait your turn.
Ultimately, the rude people will continue to be rude, and the kind people will continue to be kind. But fellow retail workers, you are not alone. We are all just dealing with the same stuff, most of us waiting until we can graduate, go get a good job, and then be kind to retail workers because we remember the days when we were one of them. I leave you with this final message, fellow retail workers.
