The holiday season is quickly approaching, which means retail is at an all-time crazy. While shopping may be a nightmare, it’s a scene straight from hell for retail employees. Although there are general struggles everyone who works retail understands, these struggles are all the more heightened with Christmas just around the corner. So, on behalf of my fellow retail workers, here’s a list of struggles we all understand to be true:
You walk in before your shift to see that it’s super busy.
And it takes all will power not to run back out.
Some customers make it a point to ignore you when you greet them.
Don’t worry—it’s not like I’m a person with feelings or anything.
The dreaded “just looking” response.
That’s nice that you’re just looking, but I actually asked about the weather.
The dreaded “let me tell you my entire life story” response.
If I was a therapist, I wouldn’t be working for minimum wage.
When customers complain to you about prices.
Because a part-time employee like myself has complete control over things like that, obviously.
Watching a customer mess up a pile of clothes you just folded.
Wow, you’re so considerate.
When you see a customer rummaging through clothes to find a size and you offer to help, but they say they’re fine.
JUST LET ME HELP YOU.
That moment when you’re eyeing a potential shoplifter, and they watch you watch them.
Yeah, I know you know that I’m watching you—now get out.
Really early/late floor set and shipment shifts.
Customers really don’t understand what employees go through to make their shoppers happy.
Having to explain to customers that the backroom isn’t Narnia.
Believe it or not, there isn’t a whole other store back there with every size you are looking for.
Conversion.
If you work retail, you understand the struggle.
When you spend a lot of time helping a customer, only for them to get up to cash and forget your name/say no one helped.
Amazing employee discounts.
Discounts are fantastic, but they only go so far. Before you know it, your entire paycheque goes back into the company.
Customer’s holding up their hand to stop you from talking.
F*ck you, too.
Christmas? More like holiday sent from Hell.
Retail employees don’t have a life during holiday season. Be kind to us.
Having to explain the same thing over and over to the customer because they don’t understand.
When a customer expects a full refund for something they bought a year ago.
Customers paying $20 in change.
Having to deal with unsupervised children (*cough* terrors).
If you can’t control your children, please don’t shop here. I don’t get paid enough to babysit your children on top of everything else.
When you’re in the middle of a conversation with a customer, and they walk off.
Bye, Felicia.
Customers blaming employees for things they have no control over.
I’m sorry that sweater you love is too expensive, but I really can’t do anything about it except nod my head and act sympathetic.
You’ve mastered the “fake it ‘til you make it” smile.
But behind the act, you can find my black, cynical soul.
The customer is almost never right.
I think I have a better understanding of the return policy than you do, thanks.
When the customer asks to speak to a manager, and they tell them the exact same thing you did.
Customers having reunions with friends/long conversations in the middle of the store.
Being asked if you work there, when you’re wearing a headset/name tag/uniform.
No, I’m just playing dress up.
Customers walking through the doors at 8:58 p.m.
When a customer asks to try things on when it’s 10 minutes past close.
Customers who leave 30 minutes after close without buying anything.
Mall rats/swarms of 12-year-olds.
Can you not?
The terrible “Oh, if there’s no price tag/it doesn’t scan, then it must be free!”
Ha-ha. No.
When customers try to be witty with you.
Yes, I’m Victoria working at Victoria’s Secret. No, I don’t know the secret. But thank you for being so original.
Not feeling inclined to do a stock check for a rude customer, but you go to the backroom anyway just to escape.
You’re convinced “No” is every customer’s favourite word.
You desperately want to tell a customer how rude they’re being, but because you’re at work, you have to hold your tongue and take their crap with a smile on your face.
I really don’t like you.
Making plans is impossible.
There’s never any consistency in scheduling. You can forget making plans until the day-of.
The gradual state of bitterness all employees eventually experience.
Your outlook on the human race does a full 180 after just a few shifts.
People should be paid more for having to work with the public.
When shopping this holiday, try to be as patient and kind as possible. We’re all just trying to do our best.