Things Non-Retail Workers Don’t Know

We Get Socially Drained Very Easily

Most cashiers are like me, introverted. Being around a lot of people for a considerable amount of time is very draining. I’ve met very few extroverted cashiers where I work. Having the same “Hi, how are you?” meaningless conversation is drag, but we have to ask it. Sometimes we have customers come in and verbally abuse us, and it can be very frustrating. I think the worse comment I have ever gotten was at my old store. An entitled white woman looked at me and said, “It really bothers me that you didn’t smile. You’re acting like you hate your life and want to kill yourself, and I demand an apology.” And I apologized. To this day I regret doing that. That horrid woman deserved a different response at the time. To treat a stranger with such cold words. That is just one example of the very many words I’ve had to endure while working in retail.

We Go Above and Beyond For Our “Favorites”

Yes, as cashiers there are customers we favor more than others. There are customers we form bonds with, and go the extra mile to make sure they are happy. These are the customers that brighten our shift, and treat us like real people. It really has nothing to do with “getting a sale”, but more about surviving our shift. Become a “Cashier Favorite” today by being kind, and understanding!

Sometimes We Don’t Get Our Breaks

You know, the current store I’m at is great! But before, I would only get one break a shift, maybe two if I was desperate. The management there (depending on who was there) didn’t really think breaks were a priority. The current store I’m at (my home store where I started out) makes sure we get a break every couple hours. I’ve dealt with blood sugar problems for a few years now, and it was at its worst at my old store. Since I’ve transferred back to my home store, I’ve only had trouble with my blood sugar once, and it was when I wasn’t at work. My point is, whenever we don’t get our breaks we start to be worn down. It could be more than one reason why cashiers aren’t as happy and cheery sometimes.

We Have Zero Control Over A Lot!

As cashiers, our only job is to ring your products out (and help you find stuff), that’s it. We aren’t in charge of ordering, policies, what items appear in the ad, or anything like that! We’re sorry we’re out of that one item, but maybe you should have shown up earlier in the week when the ad started. We’re sorry that you don’t like our store policy, but we didn’t write it. We’re sorry we don’t know what’s coming on the truck, but we can tell you when the next one is coming. A lot of things are out of our control, and as customers you need to respect that.

Cashiers Are Sexually Harassed Often

I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve been verbally and physically hit on by customers. I’ve been in the retail life for seven years, and I’ve had a ring on my finger for five of those years. It hasn’t made a difference. Only a few times has a creepy older man start to hit on me and then stop because of the rings on my finger. The one I’m currently wearing to work I got off of eBay for $12. It’s pretty, and sparkles. That’s all that matters. 

We Don’t Like Being Reminded We’re At Work

One of my biggest pet peeves is working on a weekend or holiday and have customers be like “my day is better than yours because I’m not at work” or “You’re working the holiday?! That sucks” Like, for real, shut up. You’re being annoying. We are well aware of what day it is, and that we are working. You don’t have to be obnoxious and remind us. Retail workers work holidays and weekends, it’s been this way for years. We’re earning a paycheck, and being paid to be nice to you. Don’t push it.

Ask Before Getting Cash Back

At the beginning of my shift I have very little change in my till. We start off with $100. That’s it. Primarily it’s just fives, ones, and some coins. So when my shift starts and someone wants $50 cash back, I don’t have it! I have to ask for a loan from our safe, and then have to pay it back later. Or I have to buy change because customers want cash back a certain way. Ask us if we have the cash to give you before getting cash back, because news flash we’re not a bank. You want something back a certain way, go to your bank. We need the cash in our till to give change!

Yes, We Know That It’s “Different everywhere!”

Not all credit card tender machines are the same, we know. You don’t have to tell us. I hear it constantly that “green” means credit at one store, and “red” means credit at another. It may have escaped your mind, but we are also customers outside of our work. We know how it works. You just needed something to say and try to cover up your embarrassment of not reading the screen. My work has a message on the screen that pops up and says “green for credit”. There is a sticker on the machine that says “green for credit”, and I even say “Press green for credit” and somehow y’all still manage not to pay attention. It baffles my mind, honestly.

Most of Your Complaints Go Nowhere

At least with my experience, whenever someone comes in to complain about someone on staff it goes nowhere. We give the customer a chance to vent their feelings and then leave it at that. We don’t write anything down, and most of the time nothing happens. Maybe we bring it up to the person for a laugh, but that’s it. The only real time complaints do anything is if we’re trying to get someone off staff on purpose (yes, it’s a thing, so be on good terms with your coworkers everyone). Some people submit written complaints, which usually get ignored because it’s over something petty. Some people actually contact the corporate offices directly to let them know, which depending on the situation might make a difference. Long story short, you can try complaining but it will most likely not change a thing.

We Are Human, Just Like You

I don’t know why this has to be said, but retail workers are human just like you. We make mistakes, we have health problems (both mental and physical), we have lives outside of our work place, and we’re trying our best. Remember that you are interacting with another human being. Remember that we as humans can only do so much with what we’re given. Remember that we have our “work personality” and our “not at work personality”. I think everyone should work in retail at least once, so this can all be remembered.

Thank you for reading! I post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday! Follow me on Twitter @StarAsphodel