Working Retail

Circles, circles, circles. That's what I remember most about my job as a retail manager - constantly walking circles around our small store to make sure people weren't stealing and that good customers were being helped. Well, that got old pretty quickly. Here are 7 reasons working retail will make you mental:

1. Saying the same thing over and over...and over. 
"Have a great day...Have a great day...Have a great day." Maybe I'll change it up to "Have a great night," but I haven't been outside in 6 hours and I'm not even sure if it's dark outside yet.

2. Paranoia.
If your store is a major target for shoplifters, you may find yourself staring down even the most innocent of customers testing the cologne. I know you're trying to steal it....

Holiday shoppers are classically the worst.

3. You can't hold full conversations anymore. 
How many times have I said "Hey, how's it goin?"  today? I have learned that this is a rhetorical question, not really one to be answered. Your job has trained you to politely ask "Are you finding everything okay?" Yes? Great. I can move on now. Oh your not finding everything okay? Let me vaguely point toward the clearance rack for you.

4. You listen to the same songs every single day.
 That thirty minute playlist is on its 10th cycle since you clocked in. You hate every song and know every single word. Sometimes you catch yourself singing along, and question what mistakes led you to this point in your life.

5. The customer is always right. 
Oh this sweater is $20 off? I am pretty sure the sign says 20% off, but sure I am the crazy one. You'd like to return your jeans that you bought 8 months ago with a giant rip in them and then go off on me when I say I can't accept damaged clothing? Sure, keep being this annoying and I'll gladly return it just so you can go away and I can keep my job.



6. Talking to the mall walkers.
You probably won't notice this unless you work the morning shift, but every mall has a set of people (usually older people) who speed walk laps around the mall for exercise in the early morning. You will become friends with these people.

7. You wear the same clothes almost every day. 
Sure the company might offer you a discount, but is 20% off $80 jeans and a $30 shirt really a discount? The minimum wage pay isn't really helpful to your wardrobe selection either. You oblige to the dress code and buy one overpriced outfit you can wear.


That wraps it up for me today! I honestly love working retail. It can be a lot of fun to work with your friends and meet great customers. As with every job, there are pros and cons and I'd like to laugh about the hard parts of retail life. Really, what job is easier than getting paid to talk to people and fold clothes?

- Bell


Photo credits in order of appearance:
photo credit: Bhakti -Amsterdam via photopin cc
photo credit: Richard Masoner / Cyclelicious via photopin cc