As the splendid holiday season approaches us, let's give a big shoutout to those who work the long hours and dreadful shifts to make sure you get the perfect gift for someone. (And I'm not talking about the big man in the red suit.) I'm talking about those who deal with the demanding customers and the insane requests. Yes, you have it right; it's those that work in retail. The superstars and the real Santa of your holiday shopping list. I personally know this feeling and I'm thinking maybe you should all know what us "Santa's helpers" have to go through to make your season bright.
1. Your greeting to the customers better be 'cheery,' not cheesy.
"Hi, welcome to blah-blah-blah! Hope your day is filled with rainbows and sparkles, with a cherry on top." is what you want to say. But you resort to, "Hi, welcome to blah-blah-blah, My name is Maddi! *, insert huge smile*"
2. The number of questions received in two minutes.
"Do you guys have more of this in the back?" "Can I get this in a different color?" "Will this come in before Christmas?" "Can I get free shipping if I ordered in stores?" "Why is this more expensive than this one?"... DOES IT LOOK LIKE I'M GOD?
3. New arrivals are the most exciting moments of your career.
When the shipment comes in and those items hit the sales floor, you best know I'm gonna be the first one with a size 9 in my "employee holds" pile. You snooze, you lose amirite??
4. CHEESY STORE MUSIC
And I'm not talking about the holiday Christmas music. I'm talking about the elevator music plus the retail ads equal hell in one little store.
5. The good gossip with co-workers.
"Argh, did you hear what that one customer said to me?" "Girl, you know the customer is ALWAYS right." "She was about to see herself right outside of my door."
6. The dreadful people hurting your conversions.
Hey Y'all, don't walk into my store and walk right back out if you ain't buying anything from me. You know that little door chime..well it knows you are coming and not leaving with anything from my store.
7. The never-ending shipment in the backroom.
Imagine this: walking through the front door of work, on the way to the backroom. Right before entering you remember what day it is...it's Wednesday a.k.a shipment came in.
8. Regretting the choice of covering a co-workers shift.
You know that one time you said you would take that co-workers shift because they took yours... well now you fully regret taking that 6-hour shift on a Saturday night.
9. GREAT DISCOUNTS ON THINGS!
30% off of shoes say no more. Count me in. Everyone is getting shoes for Christmas and they're going to like it.
10. Your multi-tasking skills are at their best.
"So what are your skills?" "Well if you are oh-so-curious... I can answer the phone, talk to a customer in the store, check that person out at the register, and give them a great deal on their purchase ALL under 5 mins." Now that's talent.
