Years ago I worked in retail. Sometimes the very word retail can make me shudder. Working in retail can be fun I guess, but that would require you to love to work with the public. I used to think I loved people. Then I went to work in retail. Then I went to work at a credit union. You think people are crabby when you mess their sale up at the register, you should see people when you are dealing with their money.
One job I have never done, nor think I could handle is a waitress. People also get very crazy about their food. So I can sympathize with those working with the public. Its tough. However, I also think you should probably be good with people to do these types of jobs. If you aren't you better well sure know how to fake it.
Lately, I have been noticing more and more the poor customer service in the stores I frequent. I know as you age you have a sense that "things were sure different when I was young", but I can tell you, I would not have lasted in retail for a day if I wasn't able to communicate and be helpful and friendly with the customers.
Case in point, have you noticed the people who wait on you and barely speak? I think I have been grunted at a couple of times. What happened to hello, thank you? What ever happened to "going the extra mile"? And seriously, you better make sure whatever you have has a price tag on it, because that throws them over the edge. They don't seem to know how to find the price, they have to call a manager, call the department, call security. Its is annoying. The other day, I returned a pair of shoes that broke a strap the first time I wore them. The lady at the service desk, looked and said I've never seen these before. Then she stammered around looking for the code until finally I said, "do you want me to go back and get another pair"? AND she let me. Seriously, isn't that YOUR job?
I also find it disturbing when the cashiers or workers talk bad about each other to the customers. And while I'm at it, QUIT, rolling your eyes, sighing, telling me you have worked for 14 hours straight or 14 days without a day off. It's none of my business you are going through a divorce or fighting for custody of your children or you have a fungus on your left foot that itches. JUST RING UP MY GROCERIES PLEASE.
I think I must have a face for it. Strangers like to tell me their "stuff". One time while running the drive thru at the credit union, I had a lady tell me through the speaker (this was before head phones) that her husband was cheating on her. Sometimes I walk away from a store or restaurant and think I am owed a fee for counseling.
Today was another example. I was in the yogurt section while a gentleman was stocking. I was talking to my daughter about how I was looking for unsweetened Greek yogurt. He pipes in. "that stuff isn't any better for you, its harder to make and more expensive thats all." I thought, "oh I guess since you put it on the shelves, you are a yogurt expert". Then somehow it came up about living until you are 90. "I don't want to live until I'm 90 he said, there won't be any social security for us anyway". I said, "well maybe by then I will be financially independent"...."yea, right like that is gonna happen he says". By the time the conversation was over, I wanted to walk over to the milk open the freezer and slam it on my neck until I ended it all.
Look for those of you who really know me, you are aware negativity is a thing I struggle with a lot. I mean call me on a bad day and I will make you want to gouge your eyes out and jump off a cliff. I'm just saying, if you work with the public, at least fake it people. I used to think the scan it yourself idea was horrible. BUT the more I deal with the workers the more I think we are on to something. We are so horrified that machines are taking over and replacing jobs but I gotta tell you, I would rather have a robot wait on me sometimes.
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