What are some things you've realized about people and the public from working in retail or something similar?

[Anonymous]

I'm working in retail.

Some things I've noticed are:

1. People don't like being told that something is available and usually take it out on you even though you have no control over the situation.

2. People think they can treat you any way they want just because they know you most likely won't say anything back because you can't.

3. (I don't know if this is the case everywhere, but in my area it is) African people will buy really inexpensive things and then try to pay with $100 dollar bills.

4. Many customers tend to be unforgiving or unsympathetic. I remember when I first started working at my current job. My first few days were kind of rough because I was getting the hang of everything and learning. So of course I made a few mistakes here and there but the customers didn't give a sh*t and would be super hard on me.

5. Many people would take any opportunity to rip off the store.

6. People don't seem to understand that when a store announces that it's closing for the night, that means they need to leave.

That's all I can think of at the moment. lol

[STEPHGIRL]

I worked in retail as a manager for nine months in a mall that was in a town where the majority of the people were probably rich, and I can tell you I hated working there lol. The people tried to make me feel like I was worthless until one day I said I'm not going to allow anyone to disrespect me and I don't care if I get in trouble or fired. A lady was on line but there were about 6 people in front of her and she asked me if the back registers were open and I told her no, and she called me rude. We exchanged a few more words and then she asked for the store manager. The store manager came out of the stockroom and the lady said you're 15 lol. After the lady had a conversation with the store manager she said I wish I could stay here and make her (meaning me) life miserable. I had an employee mess up on a return where the money was supposed to go back on her debit card but the employee put it on a merchandise card. I told her there was nothing I could do because the items were already returned and the system wouldn't even allow me to fix it, and pus I don't think she told the employee to put it back on her debit card. So, she tried to give me an attitude by saying to me that she wanted the money back on her debit card, and then she asks me do I know what a debit card is. I told her don't try to get smart with me because I know what a debit card is and we have the same card. I ended up telling her that she had to call customer service to fix the problem. She ended up saying she was going to call customer service to complain about me, she asked for my name and I told her no, she said it's OK I'll just say it was the black girl lol. I said OK, so she walks out the wrong way and I say you're real bright lol, she was pissed when I said that but I didn't care. In the store I worked in, we would resellers, they are people that buy items in bulk and then ship them overseas to resll the items. Anyway, because this was a constant issue we would only let them get 2 per color and they were only allowed one transaction per day. I had an issue with this one guy where I told him this because he wanted to buy about 7 of the same colored shirts, he wanted to see the company policy, but that's not really a company rule that was just a rule to limit the their purchases. So the guy argued with me and he said he was going to call customer service on me lol. About three months later, I encounter the same guy and he tried it again and again he said let me see the company policy. This night I did not feel like arguing so I said you can either listen to what I'm saying or leave. He got so mad that he just threw all of the clothes in his hands on the front table. He was one of the few "customers" that actually reported abd when he did he lied. He said I rude to every customer in the store and some other bs. And that's just half of it lol.

[MaskofInsanity]

People tend to forget that retail workers are actually people as well, not just tools for you to purchase things.

That being said, I generally find that most people are pleasant. The rude ones are frequent, but still in the minority.

[standUP]

You are thinking way too much about people who don't think about you. As a retail manager and majority sales earner for the company. I simply don't care what they think of me. My job is to make the sale so the lights and power of the store can stay on for those customers.

Here's another way of thinking of this. If I don't want to buy anything I stay home with my remote. But if there is something I want or need I will put on my shoes get in my car and drive to the store and walk into that particular store of the product I want. I want to get the product pay for it and go back home with a shiny new bag of goodies.I don't care about the sales clerks feelings!



So as our jobs require us to know what products we sell where it is how much it costs and other products that compliment each one.

When we see a customer browsing through the door we welcome them in ( we don't need that in return we want the money) if they get what they want and we guide them to find something else along with what they originally came in for , BONUS ! then we did our job!

Shoplifting: pretend your feeding your baby a cookie and some punk comes by and takes it away and eats it. Will you allow that? Nope same thing

People are people most are selfish some are not. it is what it is. No matter what there attitude or possible malady as a business woman you are it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable, respectful, kind, courteous, professional, and to sell sell sell !

Once they leave direct your attention to the next customer without a second thought abut what they think or did. they're not thinking about you !

[RedThread]

The only major ones are people treating you like crap for things that aren't in your control to change and the fact that most customers have no idea what they want but think they do.

[Anonymous]

People have become really rude. If they don't get it their way, then they freak out. It's like they're acting as a 2 year old but without the crying. Instead they may yell and swear at you. I've had several women call me a bit** because we didn't have the items they wanted. I was also very ill one time at work and a lady told me I'm a bit** and to fu** off because I wasn't "overly polite" to her. I didn't know that handing change to your hands seems overly rude.

[Anonymous]

People are impatient and often SO in a hurry that they can't follow basic instructions.

Also, sometimes it only take a few seconds for them to figure something out for themselves, but they never take that time before asking, haha!

[konigsreichaurelius]

and one more thing about "people", they don't owe you their time.

though I'd imagine the opportunities in which you are "nice" are seldom, but there you go..

[Anonymous]

That the majority of us do not truly care for their fellow man.

[Anonymous]

That white people are incredibly rude, entitled, and arrogant.

[douride2]

No other race only white people say it ain't so?