The Retail World v. The Real World
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Retail World v. The Real World

We all have two sides, our Real World selves and our Work Selves

8
The Retail World v. The Real World
Think With Google

Many of you know what it is like to work retail. For many of you, retail serviced as a job that was able to give you money to pay bills or go out; it was a way for you to get money and start to rely less on your parents and become more independent. I am no different. I am 18 and on my second job, I have been at this place of employment for close to two years now, this place is Babies R Us.

I've recently taken a step back and realized that those in retail or those who have worked retail have seen both sides. Now this may seem like an obvious thing, but we have the power to see things from both points of view and those points of view, those perspectives, make us two different people. On one hand we have the normal version of us, the regular version, the version of ourselves where we are the customer in someone else's store. We feel the pressure to sign up for the store's credit card, to sign up for the rewards card, we feel the pressure to not let them pressure us that so often we give in to their millions of questions. We are just another victim of another retail experience.

Then we have our retail selves. We have the version of ourselves that are cold-hearted and careless. The version of ourselves that is trained to never take no for an answer. The version of ourselves that are constantly getting hammered about metrics. "You need to get this many credit card sign ups." "You need this many rewards cards." "You need to sell this amount of stuff."

When you think about it, it's all just one long chain of pressure. Corporate is pressuring the store manager, the store manager is pressuring the assistants, the assistants are pressuring the supervisors who are then pressuring the employees who then pressure the customers which then leave in a bad mood because of it and snap at their families. It's just this strain of stress and pressure that starts at the top of the food chain and it doesn't just trickle down, it floods down. There is so much stress and pressure in making everyone happy and meeting this expectations and while that's fine when those expectations are reasonable, sometimes they aren't and sometimes they just aren't possible. And while many times we try our best, or at least should, when we get shut down we blame ourselves. Constructive criticism is great, but not when it tears you apart.

I guess this rant started in one place and may end in another. Remember that the employees at the stores you shop at are people too and remember that your customers are just like you. That's a good message and that's where I started, but I think where I am ending is that don't let other people's reactions determine your worth. If you are expected to get x amount of whatever and you don't, but you tried your hardest, then you succeeded that day. All you can do is try.

We are all human, we are all living, and we all just need to learn to coexist and take care of each other.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

13 Roleplay Plots You Haven't Thought Of Yet

Stuck on ideas for a roleplay? Here you go!

408110
13 Roleplay Plots You Haven't Thought Of Yet
Pixabay

One thing that many creators know is that fun to have characters and different universes to work with but what's the point if you have nothing to do with them? Many people turn to roleplay as a fun way to use characters, whether they're original or from a fandom. It'd a fun escape for many people but what happens when you run out of ideas to do? It's a terrible spot to be in. So here are a few different role play plot ideas.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Deep in the Heart of Texas

A Texan's responsibilities when introducing an out-of-stater to Texas culture.

883

While in college, you are bound to be friends with at least one person who is not from Texas. Now Texas is a culture of its own, and it is up to you to help introduce them to some good ole Texas traditions during their time here. Show your friends that famous Southern hospitality!

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Marching Through March

Some appreciation for the month of March.

1706
Pexels

I love the entire year. Well, for the most part. I'm not a big fan of Winter, but even then, every month has something that's pretty great. November? Thanksgiving. December? Winter Holidays. January? New Year's. February? Valentine's and Single Awareness Day. May? Existential dread during finals. But for me, March has always been my favorite month of the year, and for good reason.

Keep Reading... Show less
Content Inspiration

Top 3 Response Articles of This Week

See what's trending in our creator community!

2656
Top 3 Response Articles of This Week
gouletballet.files.wordpress.com

Welcome to post-spring break week on Odyssey! Our creators have a fresh batch of articles to inspire you as you hit the books again. Here are the top three response articles of last week:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

5 high paying jobs don't need a college degree

Trade School Graduates Make Lucrative Careers Without College Debt

5287
5 high paying jobs don't need a college degree

The common belief that a college degree is a prerequisite for a high-paying job is no longer as accurate as it once was. In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, many lucrative career opportunities do not require a traditional four-year degree. As an expert in career development and workforce trends.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments