It’s the Holidays, So Let’s Not Be Jerks to Retail Workers

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My oldest kiddo and I decided to brave the crowds on Black Friday, drawn by the chaos and the thrill of dodging people’s elbows. He had saved up for a speaker he desperately wanted, and as we browsed the sales, he exclaimed, “Mom, if we don’t get there early, they’ll sell out! What will we do?” You’d think the fate of the universe depended on it!

Being the super supportive mom that I am, I agreed. Off we went, and mostly, everyone was in good spirits, exchanging smiles and holiday cheer. I even spotted a few people in reindeer antlers, which added to the festive atmosphere. But then, as we neared checkout, I watched a transformation take place. The man ahead of us went from pleasant customer to raging jerk because his mixer didn’t ring up at the sale price. Not just any jerk—a full-on mansplaining jerk who thought banging his keys on the counter would somehow expedite the process. Clearly, he was too important to wait for the cashier to sort it out.

Let me be clear: if you’re rude to someone in retail because of a mistake that’s out of their control, you’re just a jerk. The cashier, bless her, stayed calm and switched on her light for a manager. I found myself wondering if retail training includes a module on dealing with entitled customers. She handled the situation with grace, far better than I would have. I shot a disapproving glare at the man, which made me feel slightly better even if he didn’t notice.

When the manager arrived, the guy’s issue was sorted in under two minutes, yet he remained fuming at the world. The cashier deserved a genuine thank you for her quick help, especially after his toddler-like tantrum. But, of course, that didn’t happen. It’s almost like he thought she didn’t deserve basic respect because she was behind the register. Perhaps he was suffering from post-Thanksgiving carb overload or was just cranky for no reason. Whatever his issues, they were not her fault.

As I approached the counter, I struck up a friendly chat with the cashier. “My shift just started,” she said, and when I asked about her family, she confided, “I have three little ones at home. I won’t see them tonight, and it makes me feel terrible.” So here she was, working a long shift and missing her kids, while some customers treated her like she was less-than because they could. As we know, most stores operate on the “customer is always right” principle, which means retail workers often have to take a lot of nonsense.

The takeaway is that retail workers work incredibly hard and endure a lot of crap. So this holiday season, let’s commit to not being jerks.

The stores are chaotic, resembling a scene from a holiday movie gone wrong, but it’s the adults creating the mess. If you change your mind about an item, please take a moment to return it to its rightful place instead of tossing it wherever. I once heard someone say that leaving things behind was “job security” for workers, and I nearly ran my cart into his ankles.

Yes, retail employees are there to help, but they shouldn’t have to pick up after you because you’re too rushed to take two minutes to put something back. They aim to make your shopping experience enjoyable, but they don’t deserve to be humiliated in front of a long line of customers. It’s the same people who leave chaos behind who expect everything to be perfectly organized when they show up—because, obviously, they have more important things to do than shop.

If you’re going to rummage through a sweater display, be mindful. Sure, they’re there for you to try on, but destroying the display in the process is unnecessary. Someone has to spend hours refolding those sweaters and cleaning up after the messes left by inconsiderate shoppers. The same dedicated individuals who assist you also deal with dirty diapers in dressing rooms and kindly throw away your child’s sticky drink cup so it doesn’t become a science experiment later.

Retail workers are there to facilitate your shopping experience, but they can’t work magic. They can’t accept expired coupons or fix malfunctioning registers. They get just as frustrated as you do when things go awry, and they certainly don’t revel in dealing with returns of shrunk cashmere sweaters.

It’s the holiday season! You can still get what you want without being a complete jerk. Yes, you have a lot on your plate, but so do they. If you can’t manage to be civil while shopping, perhaps it’s best to shop online from your couch. Amazon Prime was literally created for folks like that. The world would be a better place without your demoralizing behavior directed at hard-working employees.

If you’re not a total Grinch and can keep your cool while shopping this season, consider spreading a little kindness. A simple smile or kind word can go a long way toward lifting the spirits of those who are working hard during this busy time. They definitely deserve some appreciation!

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Summary

This article highlights the importance of treating retail workers with respect during the holiday season. It emphasizes that these hardworking individuals deserve kindness and understanding, especially amidst the chaos of shopping. As consumers, we should strive to be mindful and considerate, ensuring a positive experience for everyone.