One year. This summer has marked one year since I started working at a local Aeropostale, and I have enough stories to write a book. While the amount of people in the store can sometimes lack, the character of those who walk through those doors does not. I have encountered some of the kindest individuals I have ever met. Some people graciously accept your help looking for a cute top to match their pants and others will simply enjoy talking to you as you walk them around the store showing off the great deals. On the other hand, some people refuse to give you their time of day. They claim to be in a hurry, or they simply ignore you as you greet them at the door. My job clearly has its perks, such as working with an amazing staff and allowing me to experience a first job as a high school student. It has given me experience I would have never acquired anywhere else, and with this experience, I would like to share a few things to offer a perspective from an associate's point of view.
1. Do not watch me fix and refold a pile of clothes, and proceed to dig through it as soon as I walk away. I am standing right next to the pile. Ask me for a size. That's what I am here for.
2. When I ask for your email, appropriate responses are, "No, thank you," or, "I do not have one." Saying, "The **** you want that for," is not the response we would like to hear.
3. Boyfriends, please do not try to go in the same dressing room with your girl.
4. While I understand our store does not have a "return" rack for unwanted clothes after trying them on, your unkempt pile of clothing on the bench could be avoided if you would give the clothes to a worker to properly put them away.
5. You would think my laundry at home would be neatly folded considering I can keep an entire store straightened, but that is far from the truth. My laundry will sit in my basket for about two weeks before I finally decide to fold it and put it away. I fold enough clothes at work.
6. If I could put an electric fence around the underwear table, then I would.
7. I do not make the prices, please do not complain to me about something I cannot change.
8. If the mall closes at 9 p.m., then please have the courtesy to not stroll in at 8:55 p.m. and proceed to bring everything in the store in the dressing room.
Keep these thoughts in the back of your mind and you may become best friends with a worker by the time you walk out of that store.
