Here's a short review of what I've learned while working retail…

 

• Some people really ARE that stupid
• Even quiet voices carry
• Which means not all private phone conversations are private
• A good pair of shoes is essential
• Even if it means wearing purple sneakers with your red shirt
• There is nothing I can do to cheer up a negative person who is determined to be negative
• I still don't like complaining
• A 9 hour shift is made easier by doing it 2 hours at a time
• Some children really ARE that terrible
• Some parents really DON'T care that their children are terrible
• Nice people can be found everywhere
• People respond really well to a friendly smile
• Some people are uncomfortable with direct eye contact
• Men and women give directions differently
• And therefore men and women receive directions differently
• It doesn't matter what policy is, there will always be someone asking for an exception
• More people than you think have 2 jobs
• I like folding towels and making sure they all face the same direction
• I can survive for 4 weeks on two 3 hour naps per day
• Anything more than 4 weeks is untested
• If I focus on one thing at a time, with an eye to the future, I can handle it
• Good friends are essential
• Please don't ask me to not organize the 70% off clearance section. It gives me anxiety to leave it a complete mess
• If you wear glasses to work everyday, then the one day you wear contacts everyone looks at you weird because they recognize you and know they should know you

But the biggest thing I learned, and possibly the most important; if you show up to work on time, do your work with a smile, help out your team, and keep a positive attitude, they can't help but like you. Because you really are that awesome.