There are a few jobs that I think every person should have to work because then you will have a whole new sense of appreciation. Retail is one of those jobs. In the past, I have been a server and I understand the struggles that come along with that BUT I can honestly say through working retail I have experienced so many more unpleasantries.

When you work retail you become used to hearing only negative things and made to believe most those negative things are your fault. The first few times you are getting screamed at by an angry customer you are probably really taken back. But then it starts to become normal and it doesn't even phase you, that's sad.

I know that in every single retail job your higher-ups will always say just make sure you are taking care of the customer. Through doing that and following your company policies, you become a doormat that every single customer walks over. Me just trying to "take care of the customer" has gotten me called every name in the book that you can imagine. Because here's a shocker, when you just take care of the customer even when they are completely wrong they become entitled and treat you even worse.

There have been so many times where I have explained how I will help them this time but USUALLY, this is our policy and I get lectured about how dumb I am. Let me repeat myself, I did not say you were right I was just trying to be nice. Me trying to be nice and help someone out gets taken completely for granted and usually gets thrown back in my face.

Think about it. How many times have you walked in any sort of store and all the associates look MISERABLE? That is not because they hate their job usually it is because they are constantly getting screamed at by customers over things they cannot control. It becomes hard to go to a job every day when you know there will be at least a few customers who make it their mission to treat you terribly. Sometimes it feels like people go out of their way to do it.

Let me set the record straight for all retail associates. I have zero control over our inventory and what we get in stock, it is not my fault you do not have a coupons and it is not my responsibility to store them somewhere for you, I am not a human computer and do not know every single price of every single item off the top of my head I will have to price check it and it is not my fault something you bought six months ago has now gone on sale and you want that price.

Really there are so many more things I could list but there's a few. But most importantly I wish every shopper would take a second to realize I am not their human punching bag. I am sorry if something is going on in your personal life but just because I may be some random person, doesn't mean I need to take the brunt of all of your frustration. I am a human too.

I have feelings and believe it or not retail is not my life. I do think about all the names you called me when I go home and I dread going to work the next day. And usually, for a few days, I feel anxious wondering if you'll come back and yell at me again. But either way just because I am providing a 'service' for you doesn't mean you get to treat me like dirt. No one is that entitled or held to a higher standard where they get to treat someone like that.

The next time you are out shopping please take a second to remember that the people working at the store are human beings. I'm sorry if you are having a bad day but please don't take it out on me. I will try my best to aid you in your shopping but if something goes wrong please try and be understanding because when you go home and forget what happened, I will not. I will remember you screaming at me and calling me names.

Working retail is an experience that's for sure. It teaches you how to bite your tongue in the hardest of circumstances and how to TRULY kill someone with kindness. But I am a firm believer in karma and some of my past customers are due to a big serving of it.

To anyone who works retail, don't let a customer ruin your day. It's going to happen and unfortunately, people will still treat you terrible from time to time but remember, it's not your fault and the customer is NOT always right!