Tuesday, December 27, 2016

The Retail Life


Image result for shoppingI’ll admit working in retail is a lot like a roller coaster ride.  One day is good and you’ve made your sales for the day.  The next day you have an angry customer who believes they own your world because they bought a $25 shirt from your store.  It’s quite hilarious when you think about it.  I mean the people that come into the store on a daily basis range from crazy to plain nuts.  And it can drive you insane if you allow it.

I’ve learned a lot about retail in the very short time that I’ve worked in this industry.  First, the customer is always right, except when you’re tired after a long day and don’t care anymore.  Two, when a staff member leaves, you have to pick up their hours.  This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you need the extra money or would rather spend the time with your family because you’ve already put in enough hours.  Third, materialism is real and America seriously has a debt problem!  I’ve seen more credit cards decline then I care to see.

Let’s talk about the customer.  Yeah, there are some crazy ones out there, for sure!  You see everyone from the “Miss treat everyone like a low level servant” to “Miss I’d like to try on a thousand outfits and not buy one of them” to “Miss just let me try one more credit card!”  Oh and yes men do the same thing but women are just more notorious for this in my opinion.  But I’ve learned how to practice a little patience and self-restraint when it comes to dealing with these people.  Oh and yes, humor in the stockroom with your staff is not a bad idea either!

Secondly, yeah, turnover in the retail industry is a mofo.  It’s so bad that I don’t think half of these companies do a background check because they need people.  People tend to leave all the time.  I didn’t realize this because I only work retail part time to collect a few extra hours.  But apparently this is a widely accepted thing.  I guess this is okay but you really don’t get a chance to bond with the people you’re working with because they’re on to the next job.  And guess who has to pick up the slack when they leave.  You do!  This is particularly true when you’re a new employee.  I learned this the hard way!

Lastly, America has a serious problem with materialism.  They want everything they see in sight but can’t afford half of it.  If there is a sale for 50% off, they go for it regardless of whether the item is worth it.  Some of those clothes (at least the ones in our store) aren’t worth $10 but because the company has already marked the item up so much and then discounted them down (what they called red-lined), the customers sees the percentage off sign and think they’ve got a steal.  This works great for the retail industry who, by the way, gets these clothes made cheaply in another country, then ships them to America where they price it high and then discount it low to the customer while still retaining a huge profit of what the price in which the item is really worth. 

And debt is no laughing matter.  The amount of credit cards that I’ve seen declined is ridiculous.  I don’t blame the customer though.  You see, living in America we’re all like kids in a candy store.  We can’t help control our urges.  And we as women buy on our emotions making the situation worse.  If we break up with our significant other, we go buy a sweater.  And retail works in close partnership with the marketing industry to ensure they appeal to people’s emotions.  For example, you break up with your boyfriend, a commercial comes on implying you get revenge on your ex by buying a thousand dollar pair of high heels.  Well, when you’re sitting home alone while he or she is out on a date with someone new, guess what you’ll be going to do.   Thus, leaving Americans financially in the hole.  The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.  That’s the American Dream!  Gotta love it, right?

Friday, December 23, 2016

Taking Back Our Power!


So I just recently signed on to work as a “Dear Abby” where I help to answer relationship questions for people by request.  It’s been quite busy these days with the holidays approaching because who doesn’t want love for the holidays.  Well, I really enjoy this job because I like helping people achieve their dreams of having a happy healthy relationship.  Although I’ll admit at times, it can feel like I’m answering the same questions over and over again.  And they’re mainly around women not having any control in their relationships.

Just the other day I was talking to one of my best girlfriends and she mentioned she had a new guy in her life.  She seemed fairly happy with him and that everything seemed to be going okay.  But then she mentioned he lives in another state and that she would go to see him often.  I thought to myself, “Uh Oh!”  I’m sure she noticed the hesitation in my voice so she re-assured me that it was fine because he’s been so busy with all of his work.  I was like….okay?  And you’re not busy with your work? 

I simply made a suggestion that she gets him to come down and see her at least periodically rather than this being so lopsided.  Well, my girlfriend has her pride and as women sometimes we don’t like receiving help when it comes to our love lives.  Still, I tried to push her into not going to see him quite so often but I know this will fall on deaf ears.

I am also a landlord (yes, I have many jobs!) and one of my tenants just got a new “friend” (in her own words).  Once in a while, I check in on her to make sure she’s okay, only to find her “friend” laid up on the couch chilling.  In my mind, I’m thinking isn’t there something he could be doing for you besides eating up all your food.  But I digress.  It’s really none of my business.  So I carry on watching her give her all to him and receiving nothing in return.  She even takes out the trash while he plays video games!!

I’m just so sad to see women give so much to men with little to nothing in return.  It continues to sadden me despite the many years I’ve been doing this thing.  I keep hoping one day women will take their power back and reclaim their rightful place on the throne.

It does make me more appreciative of my own sweetheart for the wonderful things he does for me.  When we first met, I cancelled on him several times before I said yes to him because I was so busy.  And guess what?  He re-arranged his own schedule just to be near me.  I don’t mention this to brag but to explain why it is so important that women carry themselves as Queens.  You see, men don’t value the things they don’t work hard for…which is why we have to keep them on their toes.  Besides, do you want to be the one to get down on one knee?  Case closed…

The more a woman gives her power over to a man, the more he takes it and runs.  It’s not their fault.  They like easy stuff.  The easier the better for them.  The relationship starts out really nice.  Boy meets girl.  Boy asks girl out on a date.  Date goes well and then boy asks her out the next day…”spontaneously”.  Girl says yes then boy asks girl to “come over” the next day….girl then goes and abandons all of her plans for fear of not getting another date…. girl starts complaining boy doesn’t take her out anymore….but boy is fine with this and doesn’t know what her problem is…girl hits breaking point…and breaks up with boy….boy still scratching his head because he thought everything was going well…..the end!

And the cycle continues….

That’s why we ladies need structure…a guidepost for dating….if you haven’t read the Rules, I suggest you pick up a copy today!

Let’s make 2017 the year of great relationships!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!