This one goes out to all of my fellow retail workers and how much shit they've put up with over the years. This is a list of the main things that I learned while working in retail. There is good and bad in every job you may do (except for some job where I get to play with puppies all day), but retail may be one of the worst.
When I first started at my job, I was 16 and I still thought that everyone was going to give me the respect I gave them. You learn so quickly that this is not what happens in retail. Eventually, I started to wonder why this was (still is) the case. But even though I cursed dealing with people every day, I learned so much about how to be a better customer and person.
1. I learned to ALWAYS put things away if I don't want them while shopping.
I learned very quickly how annoying it is to constantly pick up things after customers, especially adults. I understand if your three-year-old drops something but I mean, you're old! Shouldn't you know better by now? But the answer to that is no. If you are someone that works in retail and you still leave stuff, you don't want somewhere it does not belong, you are the worst kind of person. Employees can see it. I promise. I know you thought that soap dispenser blended really nicely with the t-shirts, but I can promise I STILL have to put it away at the end of the night.
2. I learned how important it is to decide on what I want before I check-out.
Every time I'm standing behind someone that has a $400 transaction but decides last minute that, "maybe I don't need 500 plus pack of tampons or $200 worth of towels," I cringe. All retail workers have been there. We smile pretty until the end of the night when we have to put everything away and then we curse you out to the other employees and carry on with our night. You aren't the only one Jenny. Frank that was standing in front of you did the same thing so don't think you'll get to hog our whole conversation. Just put things away or think long and hard about whether or not you need it. It saves you time, but it saves me time and energy and frustration.
3. I learned to never ever expect anything from anyone.
Sure I will greet you with my "I just won the lottery smile," and you'll give me a disapproving grunt in return. I see you Sam, I know you heard me. The least you could do is say hello back. Now when I greet people, I expect no one to respond and honestly, it's pretty damn great. No feelings get hurt and I can go back to doing my job without a feeling of "wow I could punch you right now." And when it comes time for the closing "have a great day!" and you don't reciprocate it, just know that I will have a great day. At least I'm not a miserable son-of-a-bitch like you are Bob.
4. I learned how to talk to people.
I am forever grateful for this one. When I started working, I was incredibly shy and truly felt like I would turn into a puddle if another person tried to talk to me. But eventually, I learned how to effectively talk to people and I will forever use these skills. At this point it's is safe to say I could start up a conversation with a brick wall because frankly, I've dealt with people who are duller than a brick wall during my three years in retail, thus far.
Although looking back, I never thought I would be saying these things but I truly am happy that my first job was working in retail because of everything that it taught me.
