Why I love retail.
1) the customers - always interesting, sometimes quirky, often funny, 99% of them are fantastic (yes there are the odd 1% who are less than nice, they usually appear at Xmas but the others make up for it!)
2)They come into my store looking for advice, and assume the team know almost everything! It IS assumed we all have degrees or are studying or writers (I work in a book store)
3)Having a laugh with team mates about funny things customers have said, including sometimes misplaced concern on how we look (ill/hungover or not!) 4)Dealing with people who struggle in society (book shops attract nutty characters (just look at some of the staff!) we had a guy who came in everyday to shout at the music books (apparently they kept him awake) We moved the section to a different part of the store, he came in found they had moved and left, he never came back, I like to think we helped him sleep.
5) the wages aren't good,,,,but when you enjoy your job you start to realise money isn't everything....and if you enjoy your job customers get that vibe, and buy more, which makes getting our monthly bonus very easy!
6)Friends asking if we have any vacancies as it seems like a cool relaxing place to work.
7)Little kids, raiding the kids dept, telling their parents about books they want, seeing dads with kids reading to them on a Sunday lunchtime, hearing excited squeals as the littlies spot the toys. Plus ALL the funny things they say. Being able to switch kids and parents onto new writers, and helping them improve their reading, and education levels.
8) Showing teens to the art section, so when they do go and graffiti leather sofas - at least it's good
9)Often forgetting to take breaks as we get too involved talking to customers about authors - at Christmas people had to be forced off the shop floor!!
10) If you don't love retail - don't do it! Not everyone is cut our for it,not everyone can hack it. Life's far to short to do something you hate (I was going to be a lawyer, but by the end of my degree I hated it so much I fell into retail and stayed) Not all retail is the same - I worked in fashion retail not fun, the people were generally dull and shallow, so I changed. Change your attitude, if people are finding they are attracting the grumps - maybe, just maybe it's because your being like that your self. What ever you do put some passion into it! Regards Sara
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