Be Nice.

Be nice to your retail associates. Treat them with respect, not like they are stupid. They are not your maids and are sometimes (usually) multi tasking. 

There are many times at work when I am the only associate on the floor. My managers are usually in the back with our stock or taking care of administrative things. It's frustrating when people just starting talking at me. Not acknowledging me with some sort of greeting, just holding something up and yelling "do you have this?" The irritation on their face when I say I'll go look is incredibly obvious, and it's worse when we don't have the item at all. It honestly isn't my fault that we don't have what you are looking for. I didn't call and ask specifically for that item to be left in the factory on shipment day. 

Chances are, if you greet me and hold a conversation with me while I'm helping you, I'll show you something else you may like or offer to order something for you. However, if you treat me like an idiot I will act like an idiot and apologize and get back to re-hanging the mountain you left in the fitting room. 

And, one more thing. In this economy, your retail associate probably has a college education, or is working to finish a college education. Please do not speak to them like they have a fourth grade education. 

I suppose I'm a little disgruntled. I love my customers that come in and chat with me. Chatty customers aren't the norm, so I'm excited that a new opportunity has finally presented itself. 

I'm officially on the substitute teacher roll for Washington County, Maryland. They can call me starting tonight for future jobs. I'm really excited about it. This will be a good chance to put myself around students and get my foot in the door for a local school system. I'm not sure when my first job will be, but I'll keep you posted. 

In general - this week...try to be nice. The results always end up incredible.