I was at work that day when this really random thought hit me - sometimes I believe that not everyone loves what they're doing and I have this love-hate relationship towards my current job. Don't get me wrong, I actually love my job more than my previous jobs and I love it more than I detest it.
Honestly, I had no idea why I chose retail in the first place. When I announced that I was going to get a retail job, the first thing my mom told me was, "You sure? It's going to be very boring you know. Just stand there and wait for customers to come in". That got me thinking for a bit but then again, I can't exactly be a chooser, can I? I started off with FNB years ago, but I gave it up due to my inability to balance anything more than a plate on both hands. Neither was I able to hold a tray with my hand without unintentionally drenching my customer with 5 glasses of iced cold water on a really cold night. (Thank god, she was really forgiving!)
So retail it is, or was.
Turns out that my mom was kinda wrong. Working in retail can be quite the challenge so here are my quick guide if you ever wanna consider working in retail part time to support the shopping and expenses while in poly!
The dummies guide to working in a retail shop!
1. Be fast reacting.
You could be happily munching on your dinner / lunch / snack when a customer comes cruising in and decides to ask about the price so that would mean you need to transform into a hamster almost immediately and stuff the extra food somewhere that isn't visible and answer them.
2. You will be ignored 1/5 of the time.
When customers come into the shop and you sink into a very happy (can be genuine or not) "HI, WELCOME!", be prepared to just be ignored. If you're lucky, customers would turn and smile at you and say hi but there are the few who would just continue walking as if they didn't hear you. But it's not their fault, really. Some people are just shy or prefer to shop alone without interference whilst some just... don't bother. Hahaha.
3. You have to smile, at all times.
Retail is customer service and you always need to have a smile ready. Hahah, initially when I started out retail, I was telling myself "Omg, I have to smile all the time, I'm going to look really silly" But you'll get used to it after a while, think about it this way, you wouldn't want to walk into a shop and have the retail staff look at you as if you owed them money right right right?
4. The customer is mostly right.
Ok I said mostly right because sometimes the customers might have the wrong information about pricings and promotions so.. it's your job to correct them in a friendly polite way! But other than that, yes the customer is right, they know what is right for their feet or for themselves. I have had customers who are very insistent about getting a smaller size even though the bigger size is better, and despite me telling them about it, they still prefer the smaller size, I would just smile because after all, they know their comfort levels better!
5. Know your stuff.
This is super duper important! Like when customers ask you about the products you're selling, you need to have at least a little knowledge about it so you wouldn't be standing there with your mouth wide open searching for answers frantically!
With all that said, I think I made retail sound like some sort of slavery in which you have to bend over backwards for customers but noooooo, that's not true ok? It's fun because you meet customers from all walks of life and the intereaction with each of them is different in their own little way. Plus you get funny experiences with some customers that you can laugh about when you get home, so why not right?
Hahaha, oh and I shall share a little secret with you guys. I'm not a fan of closed toe shoes, I loooooooooove wearing flip flops and most retail shops require you to wear shoes but lucky for me! This is what I wear at work!
OKAY BYEEEEEEEEEEE! <3