The Wonderful World of Retail

When your shopping and going from store to store, you notice the cute clothes that are neatly folded into a stack. You walk across the tidy hung sweaters in a row. You try on, you pay, and you leave. What you don't think about is the person that refolded the clothes after you pulled out the shirt from the bottom of the stack instead of the top and completely ruined the pile. You don't notice the sales person that rehung the 12,000 items of clothing you tried on in the fitting room and left on the floor except for the one twelve dollar shirt that you  had to buy. You quickly forget the cashier that rang you up with a smile even after you gave her attitude about the price of a shirt that had been misplaced. All this is easily missed and unappreciated.
Working in retail for eight years will really teach you a life lesson about people. You have the nice customers that actually say "hello" when you greet them, that rehang their own mess in the fitting rooms, and appreciate the associates that are ready to help.
On the other hand, it still boggles my mind when you greet a customer and they roll their eyes at you and turn their head  as if a simple "hi" is too much of a task. And when you ask how their day is going they respond not to your question but with an "I'm just looking". It is really unfortunate that there are so many rude unappreciative people in this world.
Throughout the years, I have had customers : throw things at me, poke me, curse and yell at me, and not to mention steal. You will never believe I have witnessed customers pee in the fitting rooms, on TWO different occasion and TWO different stores. And apparently its the associates fault when a customer doesn't read the return policy and tries to return something three or four months after the allowed date. I have had customers down right make me cry.
Fortunately, there are more good customers than bad, which is the only reason I've lasted this long in the retail world. I have created great business relationships and made a lot of good friends along the way. I have customers that visit me, befriend me on facebook, and even some that have bought me and my daughter (whom they've never met) gifts.
I think everyone should work retail at least once in their lives. It will humble them and have them appreciate all the hard work that goes into a long day. Think about that the next time you go shopping.