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4 Eye-Opening things I've Learned Since I Started Working Retail

"We're gonna shop 'til we drop, ladies."

Colin Christian

Jul 03, 2018

University of Central Florida

4 Eye-Opening things I've Learned Since I Started Working Retail

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For those who don't know me, I've recently started working as a sales associate for a company I will remain nameless, for reasons I'm personally not sure about. However, it seems right to leave the company nameless. I've been working with this company for almost a month already and I've seen things that range from very common to completely obscene. So, I have decided to put together a (yet another) list of things I have learned in my first month working in retail.

1. Not EVERY customer is a soul-sucking demon...

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I have helped plenty of customers in my inaugural month of working in a retail store, most of which were delightful to help. I would crack jokes, and they would genuinely laugh. They would ask how I'm doing and seem to actually give a damn. Some people definitely know the struggle of having to stand behind a register for hours at a time, talking to people and scanning their items with a smile (real or fake). To the people who know how to treat a retail sales associate, I thank you for your patience, your kindness, and your gratitude.

2. ...But some are even worse than that.

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So far, I've only had to deal with one rude customer directly. We're not gonna go into detail about it, because the situation was so stupid it makes my blood boil. I have seen my coworkers get into screaming matches with customers. I mean... yes... it was entertaining to watch, but that doesn't take away from the fact that people shouldn't talk to other people so harshly, especially if they're helping them. I don't understand how a customer, AKA someone who doesn't work at said store, claims to know more about the sale than the employee helping them. It baffles me how a customer (a human being) talks to/treats the employee (another human being) in such a vile, disgusting manner. I'm sorry we don't have that specific dress you saw on the mannequin in your size, Karen, but please don't question my intelligence/competence based on something I cannot control.

3. Cashiers really don't care about the items you're buying.

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I have fallen victim to question whether the cashier is judging me based on what I'm buying. However, since becoming a cashier myself, I have found that we really don't care about what you're buying. We may comment on some items like "Oh, this is a cute top!" but nothing more than that. I work in a clothing store, where we happen to carry women's underwear. I have noticed that some women sort of awkwardly put their items on the counter and don't make eye contact with me when buying underwear. I mean, probably because I'm a big six foot guy touching lacy thongs, but rest assured, I'm trying to quickly check out their items; I couldn't care less about what the customer is buying.

4. We DO care about you messing up the clothes that were just neatly placed, though.

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Sometimes, I think people are deliberately messing up store displays. I have seen people tear apart a stack of T-shirts and walk away empty-handed. This is especially frustrating after I just spent a good ten minutes folding those shirts and sizing them correctly. I make sure that I refold the clothes the customer just messed up when they can see me, so they can think "Hey, maybe i should've folded those shirts back correctly, so that worker wouldn't have had to clean up after me." "Cleaning up after people" should be listed as a job responsibility of a sales associate, because that's what I feel like I'm doing nine out of ten times.

I have already learned so much already and have picked up new skills I definitely needed such as communicating, customer service, and cashiering. I know this list is brief, but I'm sure I will learn more as I continue my journey as a sales associate for this nameless mystery company.

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

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For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

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Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

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Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

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Recommended for you

4 Eye-Opening things I've Learned Since I Started Working Retail

"We're gonna shop 'til we drop, ladies."

1. Not EVERY customer is a soul-sucking demon...

2. ...But some are even worse than that.

3. Cashiers really don't care about the items you're buying.

4. We DO care about you messing up the clothes that were just neatly placed, though.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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