Sometimes it’s impossible to communicate how much I hate working in retail sales, like today for example. Our debit/credit pad is broken (again) which means we can only accept cash transactions for the time being. 90% of people are genuinely very accepting and patient, but it’s the other 10% that just make me feel awful.
At this point, after only being two hours and 30 minutes into a four hour shift, I’ve had three people flat out say “Fuck You” to me, one person literally just dropped the calendars she was going to buy on the floor (and then walked away without a word), and one person demanded to see the manager. I just so happen to be the manager, so when I (I thought rather nicely and patiently, given the shift I’m having and his attitude) told him that he responded rather cruelly with “You can’t be the manager – you’re too young! You just don’t want to get in trouble!”. Get in trouble for what exactly?
Like, I get that it’s an inconvenience for people (it’s inconvenient for me as well): everyone wants to get their Christmas shopping done as soon as possible and not everyone carries cash with them. However, I’ve done and am doing everything I can – including troubleshooting the pad for the first hour of my shift, contacting our tech repair guy while doing this and reporting the problem and arranging for someone to come in to fix it (they wont be here until tomorrow morning), and letting every single person know that the pad isn’t working as they approach the till. It’s not my fault it broke, and I’m doing my best. Please don’t take your frustration out on the sales person.
That’s an attitude everyone should have in any kind of sales position: whether it’s at the movies, dealing with waiters or similar at restaurants or shopping at the mall (etc.). Most of us work horrible hours for minimum wage – and that certainly isn’t enough to deal with your bullshit.
Anyway – ranting and frustration aside – I’m very thankful to have a hot timolino full of this to sip on in between terrible customers. It’s creamy and buttery and delicious, and the perfect comforting drink for this stressful day. I feel like I got some extra coconut taste today – which is awesome! It’d be perfect, really, if my timolino wasn’t retaining the smell of that awful swill from yesterday that was Currant Affair. At least it’s not retaining the taste, right? That’s a positive.
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oh gawd…that sounds awful. So glad you have your tea.
Wow. I’m always so shocked hwen I hear horror stories like this. I’m so sorry your shift is so shitty, but am glad your tea is keeping you warm company. I thought of you while I had my Boston blend from h and s today (because I think you’d like it), and hope your day picks up soon!
Ugh, yeah, it’s your fault because you planned to inconvenience them. Makes you wonder what these jerks have done for a living.
I’m finally home and off from work. I’m not a religious person, but with all the shit I dealt with today I said a quick little prayer for my employee taking over for me. I’ve decided my reward for an awful day will be to try out a new tea and to eat some of the baking I’ll be doing (Tre finally bought eggs, so I can start my Christmas baking for my family – though I wasn’t going to eat any of the stuff I make tonight). Honestly, I’ve dealt with worse people when I worked at the movie theatre, but somehow it just seemed more personal today…
That’s brutal. :( I’m sorry people are so inconsiderate. These things just happen. It’s not like you’re trying to sabotage their shopping experience.
I used to work retail in my late teens and early 20s, and was always the manager. I always used to take pride when folks would ask to speak with The Manager, and I could say, “You’ve got her!” Of course, they’d always be rude and disrespectful (once I even had to call the police on a customer, it was so bad), and I would just kill them with sweetness and kindness. If it helps? I found most people just wanted to be heard. When I let people vent for a few minutes, heard their concerns, and then tried to figure out how to help them… 9 times out of 10, I was able to exceed their needs and expectations. One lady just LOST it on me, and I found out it was because her Mom had just passed, and a staffer had chopped up her video rental card. I listened to her vent, and then took that card, had it framed, and sent it to the customer. She was a customer for life (while video stores still existed, heh) although it was really uncomfortable and upsetting during the whole incident.
Anyway. Novel over. I hear your frustration, and feel for you! I hope it gets better, fast, and that the joy of the season gets imbued into your work sooner rather than later.
oh gawd…that sounds awful. So glad you have your tea.
Wow. I’m always so shocked hwen I hear horror stories like this. I’m so sorry your shift is so shitty, but am glad your tea is keeping you warm company. I thought of you while I had my Boston blend from h and s today (because I think you’d like it), and hope your day picks up soon!
Ugh, yeah, it’s your fault because you planned to inconvenience them. Makes you wonder what these jerks have done for a living.
I’m finally home and off from work. I’m not a religious person, but with all the shit I dealt with today I said a quick little prayer for my employee taking over for me. I’ve decided my reward for an awful day will be to try out a new tea and to eat some of the baking I’ll be doing (Tre finally bought eggs, so I can start my Christmas baking for my family – though I wasn’t going to eat any of the stuff I make tonight). Honestly, I’ve dealt with worse people when I worked at the movie theatre, but somehow it just seemed more personal today…
That’s brutal. :( I’m sorry people are so inconsiderate. These things just happen. It’s not like you’re trying to sabotage their shopping experience.
I used to work retail in my late teens and early 20s, and was always the manager. I always used to take pride when folks would ask to speak with The Manager, and I could say, “You’ve got her!” Of course, they’d always be rude and disrespectful (once I even had to call the police on a customer, it was so bad), and I would just kill them with sweetness and kindness. If it helps? I found most people just wanted to be heard. When I let people vent for a few minutes, heard their concerns, and then tried to figure out how to help them… 9 times out of 10, I was able to exceed their needs and expectations. One lady just LOST it on me, and I found out it was because her Mom had just passed, and a staffer had chopped up her video rental card. I listened to her vent, and then took that card, had it framed, and sent it to the customer. She was a customer for life (while video stores still existed, heh) although it was really uncomfortable and upsetting during the whole incident.
Anyway. Novel over. I hear your frustration, and feel for you! I hope it gets better, fast, and that the joy of the season gets imbued into your work sooner rather than later.