Throughout a great portion of my life and throughout school and law school (and currently BTW, lawyers are not immune to this horrible economy), I have supplemented my income by working retail. For many years I worked at the Gap whose products and family of products (Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Piperlime) I continue to love as affordable options. Throughout my retail tenure, I have witnessed some really interesting behavior towards the sales associates. I have been yelled at, had jeans thrown at me, seen other people have credit cards thrown at them etc. So I just wanted to take a hot minute to remind all the shoppers out there to be kind to your retail workers throughout the holidays! They are people too! Many store have extended hours for our shopping convenience but kids, when it's closing time, it's time to go home. Remember that they too have families, friends and events to go to as well. I have always subscribed to the idea that the customer is always right, but there are limits to that. Also keep in mind that when they look for a size, style, color for you in the store and don't find it, there isn't some secret stash they are keeping from you and that as a sales associate they have no control over inventory or how many gift boxes they are sent. (I once had a woman go ballistic on me because we ran out-my response to her was an annoyingly chipper HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!) But I think that says it all really, the holidays are supposed to be a pleasant time to enjoy and be thankful for what you have in life. Not what you don't. And to all my fellow retail friends...GOOD LUCK! See you on the flip side. (Of the holidays that is.)
(Photo courtesy of Daily Mobile http://dailymobile.se/2011/11/19/a-charlie-brown-christmas-app-by-loud-crow-interactive/)
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