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Testimonies: True lessons learned the hard way during employment

They say in the business world the 'Customer is always right', well that isn't always the case, I can personally testify to that. I worked for a department store, I will mention now having learned this the hard way, retailing isn't a job suited for people with quick tempers. I had a quick temper, but I hired on to work first in the shoe department, then later managed women's apparels.

The position of management comes with the responsibility of working the cash registers if the store gets busy. Okay, so every once in awhile that would be okay, but during the holiday season, it is a mad house of temperaments, crying babies and people who insist on being heard.

This is a very important time of the year for businesses, as it brings in the revenue needed to pay the bills so to speak. All employees, managers, and owners are supposed to be on their best behavior. This means even if all those mental buttons are being pushed by hordes of holiday possessed people you smile and be kind.

So it's just a few weeks before Christmas, every shopper by this time is tired of shopping, the workers are tired of the crowds, and the managers are just wanting the madness to end. I am thinking I have to remember to be nice and kind and smile. I am called to the front to run a register. No biggie until after a few minutes I keep hearing this woman from the back of someones line complaining about the length of the lines. I am thinking come on lady we are hurrying as fast as we can.

Everyone will have their turn and everyone is waiting to check out. Her behavior starts to even grate on the nerves of those ones around her. She reverts to what I think is her second childhood. Cussing and threatening, demanding to be heard. I am thinking okay I can cope with this, we are taught during our training to deal with these things. These lessons I find don't always stay with you, when you have been pushed to the limit and all you want to do is jump over the counter and pull out ever one of the hairs on her head one at a time.

There is no such thing as "Holiday Cheer" in retail during the holidays. This is another truth I will testify to. I had now been listening to her complaining for over five minutes. Her vulgarities were worsening, my temper was rising, and the other customers were getting agitated because of the tension in the air.

Everyone was waiting to get checked out, no one was showed any extra partiality and everyone was quiet, except "HER". Thank goodness my time was up. I got to shut down


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