Working In Retail Will Make You A Better Person
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Working In Retail Will Make You A Better Person

Retail workers go through a lot from customers, but it all contributes to our growth as people.

117
Working In Retail Will Make You A Better Person

I've worked several retail jobs in my short 20 years of life. I spent two years working at a grocery store, I've dabbled in the restaurant business, I worked at an ice cream shop (which I'm returning to this summer), and I currently work at a private gym. I've pretty much seen it all.

The number one thing these jobs all had in common was how horribly some people treated my coworkers and me.

You would not believe the incredibly terrible things that have been said to me or about me by customers at my job. At the grocery store, one lady called me a b*tch because she couldn't buy something on food stamps (I don't make the rules, sorry?). At my ice cream store, my best friend had to call the police because she refused to give a refund to people who had already eaten half of their ice cream and refused to leave her alone. A friend of mine at the gym has been yelled at by a fully grown man because she locked the door when she was supposed to.

Those are just some of the key incidents that come to mind. There have been several less severe instances of mistreatment in my career in retail.

Working retail jobs will definitely harden your skin and humble you. You have to learn how to brush off the rude people and maintain the smile you're required to have at work. You can't let one person's sour attitude ruin your day, and that's something that can be applied to your life as a whole, too: don't let one sour person ruin your positivity.

Always remember that we're all human. If I wasn't here checking you in at the gym or serving you ice cream, no one would be here to do it. You'd have to do it yourself. Be respectful of those who do the jobs you wouldn't want to do, and need to exist to maintain your lifestyle.

I am as nice as can be to every retail worker I encounter off the clock, because I know very well that one smiling customer can make your day just a little better. I treat everyone I encounter as my equal, not as though they're less than me, because I know how degrading it feels to work in retail sometimes.

Be kind to others, always. That's the biggest takeaway I've gotten from retail work.

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

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

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58397
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

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.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37620
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959224
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193557
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments