A Christmas Plea From A Former Retail Worker

It might only be November but with people starting their Christmas shopping ludicrously early, it is important to get this message out there.

Retail is hard work. It’s long shifts, low pay and standing on your feet for hours dealing with difficult customers who seem to think you can magically provide solutions to unsolvable problems.

If I was in charge of the world (somehow) I would ensure that everyone had to work in retail for two months to get an idea of what it’s like for someone on the front line. If you think ‘the front line’ is an exaggeration then you have never worked in retail at Christmas my friend.

I have outlined a few things for you, the customer to keep in mind during this festive shopping season.

Don’t Tut In The Queue If It’s Moving Slowly

When you’re under pressure on the till or understaffed there is nothing more infuriating than the little murmurs of annoyance from impatient customers. Sighing loudly will not make the line disappear, you are only irritating everyone around you. Sometimes the more a customer complained, the slower I would pack their bag. This is the correct punishment.

If We Say It’s Not In The Stockroom, WE DON’T HAVE IT

When we check the stockroom for you, we might be abandoning a sale with someone else or dropping a task we have to get done. If we get the chance to go up and check, and the item you want isn’t available please just TRUST US. There have been times where I have had to ‘go back and look again’. This means I went back up to the stockroom to give out about the customer to whoever was up there. It was very therapeutic.

Shouting At Me Isn’t Going To Make Me Want To Help You

Enough said about this really. Don’t do it. Just don’t.

No, I Can’t Magically Sew Another Pair Of Boot Cut Jeans For You.

Staring at me furiously when I explain an item is out of stock everywhere is one thing. Expecting me to be able to conjure up the missing item is entitled and rude. Why are you buying boot cut jeans anyway? They’re terrible.

For The Love Of God, Put Things Back In The Right Place!

I have seen people exit fitting rooms leaving a mountain of tangled clothes behind. Some people have hung every garment they tried on back on the hanger, upside down. Not helpful.

Just Be Sound

So this Christmas, remember that retail workers are people too. Please treat them with courtesy and politeness, and keep in mind they have lives and problems just like you. Also can you please stop asking when the sales start? We don't know any of that. I'm not an oracle.