I worked at JC Penney's for a few years...and normally it was actually fun...I had great co-workers, my boss was awesome...but I DREADED the Holidays and Back- to- School times. I would come home with my feet swollen and sore, my lower back killing me from always bending over to pick up clothes that would be dropped and people just walk away...or leave piles of tried on clothes in the fitting room. It's funny how people are civilized during non-Holidays, but turn into rude assholes when the Season begins. Never did get that. Just 2 weeks before someone is polite, patient, picks up clothes that may have dropped from a hanger...2 weeks later, its a sale, and that same person is a big jerk.
SO...during this crazy holiday season, be nice to those porr working stiffs at the counter. Tell them thank you, don't leave tried on clothes in a crumpled pile on the floor, don't yell at the cashier about long lines...
I know first hand how hard of a job it is for people working retail, this time of year...it sucks.
Well, .. (*ponders*) .. from an employment point of view, I worked at a store called GEMCO .. that opened for business 1 month before christmas. People, as you might imagine, begin their christmas shopping then (or before) .. and the "training" and the "system" were a little lacking concerning Layaways (purchases put on hold within the store).
SALES personnel would wheel these shopping carts into the warehouse, where I worked, sometimes 5 or more carts for ONE order (only one of which had a tag identifying it) and give the carts one final push alowing them to careen whereever God's sense of humor thought was appropriate .. then the plucky chaps in the warehouse would try to locate it all together in a "findable" manner (this is BEFORE computers in any real sense of the word = 1978)
well .. long story, short .. people would come to pay off and pick up these massive orders 2 days before christmas .. only to be told that we could not find it .. O_O .. now, stop and think about that for a minute .. maybe 50 items, most of which were not in stock ANYWHERE in ANY store on ANY planet .. if you've never worked in a retail store that carries toys at christmas then you have not learned humility. (full grown adults will get in fights and pull items out of another's hands) ..
It would often fall to me to 'escort' these completely irrate mothers back into the toy aisles to try and piece these orders back together .. IMPOSSIBLE ... one guy came in late one night, handed me his tag, and as I turned to 'step and fetch it' .. he mentioned that his wife was in the car and beginning to go into labor .. "could I please hurry" ... (drum roll) ... you guessed it, I couldn't find it .. his child came into the world toyless (*hangs head in shame*)
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but my hardest job was probably telling my Mom that my Dad had died in 1983 ... not like I cared .. he split when I was 10 (1970) .. but she took it hard
I too, worked retail. I bet we could start our own club & swap horror stories.
At one time, I worked in book stores. And we always had to keep the "skin rags " out because they sold better that way. We tried keeping 'em behind the counter but sales plummeted. And our District Manager moaned etc. etc.
And I hated getting " Porn Patrol "....as we called it. We would do a fast game of " Rock, Paper Scissors " & the loser had to go over to the magazine section & I.D. all the kids getting their anatomy lessons, cuz you are supposed to be 18 to just look.
So, one fine day, Lauren, the big time loser that FUN day, went over & asked the boys their ages. When one bright sprig told me he was 18, I asked him if he had proof. He looked me straight & the eye & lied thru his teeth. ( What a pro ) He said "Yes" & I said "let's see ". What's he do ? Unzip his pants !
He goes "That's 18 !! " I nearly died ! I grabbed him by the belt & yanked...hard ! He yelped & claimed that was abuse, & he was going to report me to his parents & They'd call the police....I said " Kid, if you have to tell Mommy, you ain't 18....get out before I call the cops & have you arrested for indecent exposure" ....
I had to sit down, I was shaking so hard.....
Don't get me started about Christmas, believe me I'm extra nice to the clerks this time of year....been there, done that.
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The truest, hardest thing though....was to stand there at my sister's funeral & be polite & social to all the nice people, and to be strong for my children who needed me....when all I wanted to do was collapse in a corner & cry & scream until I died too.....
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..|..You can have superior work..|
..|..Turned around quickly..........|
..|..For a reasonable price..........|
..|................................................|
..|..Pick any two of the three.......|
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I worked in telemarketing for about three years. Wheeee what fun! The best thing is everyone is so glad to hear from you, especially when you tell them they have to pay for their "free" item. Those were the days. But I had an even BETTER job before that going door to door asking people about their long distance carrier. This was made so much better by having to wear long trousers and ties (the idea being so everyone thought we were mormons, I guess, so they would be more welcoming) in 35 degree heat in the middle of the day. Good lord, I can't believe I actually did that...
Death notifications at the local hospital. You met with families and the Dr in " the quiet room" and were with the families when the Dr told them the news. Then on top of it, while they were grasping the news, I had to tell them about donating to the blood and tissue bank and the fact that there was no morgue so let's start calling mortuaries and making plans. Not for me!!
Trying to save a young woman who was in a car crash on the way to her wedding (dressed in her gown) didnt make it.. telling my sister that her friend, hubby, 3mnth baby and 5 yr old were in an accident and only the 5 yr old survived..
but on a brighter note... the hardest job is being a mother to teenagers.. =D
*seriously observing a moment of silence for the day to day heroes, living or passed, whoever and whereever they are, that did and do what needs to be done in face of the odds and circumstances*
I was a block piler in a shingle mill once, 65 lb. blocks lifted and thrown on a saw table all day long and at a fast pace at that. Yes my arms are a foot longer than normal. It's great when you tie your shoes.
Well just gives us all an idea.