So, my part time job is in retail. I don't mind it; I see all sorts of different people and pick up character ideas for my stories. Some of them though...well, to give some examples:
Yesterday a storm blew through and the power went off. Even when it came back on a few minutes later, the registers had to reboot and reconnect to the system. This isn't something that happens quickly and just because the lights are on, it doesn't mean we can do anything for the customers. One man became so incensed that he threw down his bag of candy and rushed out. Probably even more frustrating that he couldn't slam the sliding door shut.
Some make me sad, like the young woman buying prenatal vitamins and a pack of cigarettes.
Today was a woman who believed I was denying her a discount code for her brand of smokes. Even though I showed her there wasn't a code on the shelf or the print-out. She was still angry and rude...over 15 cents. I have to wonder if her anger was because she wouldn't admit to being wrong or because I didn't give her the discount anyway like one of my co-workers admitted to doing.
At least these are the exceptions. Most are what I would consider neutral experiences, but there are many more positive than negative. People who are charming, patient and pleasant.
4 comments:
When I was sixteen, I started working as a sales clerk in a clothing store. Got 60 cents an hour plus a 10% discount on any clothing I bought. (Bad for my paycheck, but I was able to buy or make nearly all my clothes through high school and college.) Anyway, yes, waiting on all kinds of people was an interesting experience, to say the least. I think it helped me overcome my shyness with people I didn't know. I wonder if people have changed that much in the past 60 years as I remember having much the same experiences as you shared in this post.
My first job was behind the candy counter at Montgomery Wards. I never had any problems but nowadays I think it takes a special kind of person to work with the public. My sister-in-law and daughter have such stories of customers; it's amazing some people have the nerve to act that way in public!
Funny, my first job was at a small Montgomery Ward catalog store. I know that towards the end of an 8 hour day it becomes harder to smile!
People expect everything to be done NOW! No one can wait, even a minute. I'm reminded of that every day, driving in NY, the state of rudeness. When the traffic light turns green, the idiot behind me immediately hits his horn. That has an interesting effect - my accelerator foot seems to lose forward motion...
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