In my short one year and five months of working in retail, I can unfortunately say that I've heard it all. I've been yelled at by frustrated customers for situations beyond my control, cursed at, threatened with phone calls to corporate and even had merchandise and/or credit cards thrown at me.
In short, the world of retail is not an easy one, and when customers are rude to us retail workers, it does not make our jobs any easier, nor does it make us want to help them any more than we would a pleasant customer. With that being said, here are five reasons why you should never treat retail workers poorly.
1. It's a big job with little pay
We're on our feet all day (I can vouch for the fact that they hurt after about hour three). We constantly have to clean up after people who make a mess in the store and don't pick up after themselves (which is about 75 percent of them). We deal with a lot of crap from ungrateful customers. We also have to run a register, and, in my store, pierce ears. There's also daily shipments to worry about. Sometimes we get up to 19 boxes of shipment to deal with in one day!
Needless to say, we've got a lot on our plates. A nasty attitude at the end of a long day certainly doesn't help our mood in any way, shape or form. And we have to put up with all of this for, most of the time, minimum wage.
2. We really do try to do our best -- but sometimes there are situations we simply cannot control
Trust me when I say that we do everything in our power to meet customers' needs and wants. But when when our register freezes, a credit card declines or something can't be returned or exchanged, it is not our fault. We are only doing our jobs and abiding by store and company policy. And it certainly isn't our fault that you maxed out your credit card, so stop being such a shopaholic and learn to control yourself. Please and thank you.
3. We're human, too
I once had a shopper tell me that, because she was a customer, she would treat me however she wanted, and I had to deal with it. That's not the case at all. Dear rich and snooty customers: the fact that I work in a store doesn't make me any less of a human being. Little do you know, I also go to school full time and have extracurricular activities that I participate in. I also put much of my energy into my job. My coworkers and I are hard workers, and we certainly do not need to be degraded. Don't assume we're stupid because of our position.
4. There are certain questions we're required to ask
Corporate tells us that we have to meet certain sales and other miscellaneous goals. We could get into trouble if we don't meet those goals. It's unnecessary to snap at us if we ask you about buying certain products or for small donations to different organizations. We're only doing what we have to do. A simple "No, thank you" will do.
5. We're taking time away from our family and friends to maintain a store so that you can shop
Somebody has to keep the store open and organized, which also means sacrificing a lot of our time (including holidays) with friends and family so we can make you customers happy. Without us retail workers, you wouldn't be able to make any purchases.
So the next time you decide that you are going to be rude to a retail worker, please try to keep in mind these five things. It will be much appreciated. Also, the customer isn't always right, so get over yourself.
