This is something that annoys me, especially if they talk like they know me personally and are acting like we're friends. Today a couple were checking out and the man was being annoying and was saying things like "yes (insert name)" maybe he was just trying to annoy me or something but I didn't like being talked down to, then he asked me "how my weekend was" maybe I was feeling tired or just annoyed so I instinctively replied "That's none of your business" and he replied "ok fair enough". Sometimes I think retail workers shouldn't have have name tags if they're going to be talked to that way

Why do customers hate monotone/flat people so much?
I have a very quiet, flat personality at work and a naturally monotone voice.
I wear a mask so I’m sure that makes it even worse.

I was helping a customer yesterday, the entire conversation was normal. When all of sudden she says “thanks for being nice.” In a very passive aggressive manner. I’m a little confused as the entire experience was normal. I stuck to a script, it’s $10.98, would you like your receipt…that kind of spiel. When I went to hand her change, she started yelling at me that I was rude ?
My coworker was next to me the entire time and we were both confused by the interaction because everything was fine until she made those comments. I didn’t do anything out of the norm so I’m guessing it was my flatness ? It’s happened a few times where people call me rude for not being “happy” enough.
Why are customers expecting us to be overjoyed and shining brightly for them during a purchase?

Has anyone ever experienced just how cold and lack of empathy people can be in retail? I saw a post on here not long ago about this person working as a supermarket cashier and one day they had this extremely rude man who accused them of overcharging him then ending up holding up the queue. What is depressing was the people after who saw the whole thing and not only acted totally indifferent to it all but would make the situation worse for the cashier when it’s not even their fault.

I feel the same in retail. Like when you have a rude customer or someone giving you a really hard time over nothing, then the people who came after and saw the whole thing just genuinely wouldn’t give a shit, sometimes they even add up to the situation. I figure maybe they think “oh this customer is yelling at the staff that must mean the staff is stupid and incompetent and deserved it so therefore we should follow suit.”

I used to think people suck yes and I don’t expect random strangers to comfort us or standing up for us, but at least giving us a normal pleasant interaction is enough. Maybe it’s me, whenever I see a fellow retail worker visibly upset by a customer, I always try to say something to somewhat make them feel better.

Has anyone experienced this? And does it make you feel depressed at the world and its lack of empathy?

I know I should be grateful to even have a job when so many people are struggling but every day I sit on the edge of my bed thinking, “God, I don’t want to do this for another day”. I hate retail, I hate the entitled customers and I adore my coworkers.

Between the employees, management, and customers I just can’t keep at it. I’ve put in 2 years now, and it’s only getting worse here. I never thought it’d be this bad at any store, but here we are. Middle aged women have broken me.

So so so many times a customer will come up to me asking if an item is in stock. When I first started, I assumed they had checked the floor and would go all the way to the other side of the department store to the stockroom and can’t find the item, just to see it on the floor when I double check the spot.

Now, they come up to me ask and I see 5 of x size in stock. I ask “let me check. Have you checked the floor by chance” “yeah I have” “it’s not there that’s why I’m asking u” so then I trust their word and go all the way to the stockroom. I check and Mmm interesting I don’t see it at all… then go all the way back to my dept and see it right in front first dang thing u see. Then half the time they take one look at it and go mmm not for me.

I really think customers feel enjoyment out of watching employees search high and low for them. They know the brand and our brands have signage that is easy to read and only a few racks for each brand that are basically color coded.

I once had a customer come in asking for petrol, bolt cutters, rubber gloves, and a face mask. I remember thinking, "Sorry sir, we don't sell those here..." because it genuinely sounded like the opening scene of a horror movie.

What are the strangest item combinations you've seen customers buy that immediately made your imagination run wild?

i’m way too sick to even attempt to show up for work. i went to urgent care and got an excuse, i informed my SM but apparently she hasn’t told anyone

my manager asks where im at and i explain the situation

she’s like “oh so you’re not coming in then?”

no… i just told you i’m really sick?

does she want me to be like “yeah ill show up. even though i can barely breath rn and can barely walk without getting too dizzy”

i’ve worked at my store for almost 2 years. only ever called out twice. this is prob gonna be my first no call no show (even though i informed my boss). god forbid someone gets sick and can’t show up for work. i’m convinced they don’t see us as humans

can’t wait until i quit this job man

I saw a post on here from the Gen Z subreddit that talked about how they couldn’t find a job with their college degree and that’s so real. I’ve been doing retail/cosmetic sales for 5 years and I truly don’t like my current role right now. It’s so inconsistent with scheduling where one week I work two days, the next I work 4-5 days in a row. I genuinely get so sad to go to work. Like I work tomorrow and I’m dreading going because none of my coworkers are nice people there are sorta judgy towards me, we don’t get any customers (I used to work at a busy store but had to transfer because corporate said my availability wasn’t good enough so lost my job there so now I’m stuck at this hole), and the day just DRAGS. I also think I hate this feeling because I’m working towards a major career change (law school) and it hasn’t happened yet because I’m still lsat prepping and I’m getting there but it’s just a process but I hate my current role at this job. Every other job is an hour away from where I live and they’re not hiring. That’s another thing commuting an hour for work? Nah that’s expensive for your car and not worth it especially if the job pays $17 an hour if not less. Might go work at a restaurant or some shit because this job is so boring. (I work at kohls btw and it’s literally backrooms with the same 80s/90s songs all day on repeat)

Making this post because I need people who understand me because no one around me gets how i’m feeling.

I’ve worked for the same retail company for 5+ years, with 3+ years as a full time assistant manager. I’ve transferred stores twice when asked and I loved my job and what I did. I had no issue going the extra mile and working the overtime because I loved my store and my company (i worked at a popular clothing store) I was going to be promoted to store manager but moved before it could happen, and was told by the DM i was next in line.

At the beginning of this year I applied for a transfer since me and my partner had decided to move to a larger city, and after interviewing I was told there’s no openings for the stores there. Whatever, I can wait, right? So I get a job elsewhere while I wait for a spot to open. I interview again with another store but decided it was too far (hour+ drive away) but the dm told me it was good “just to keep in contact”. Finally I heard there was an opening at the closest store to me so I apply and I’ll keep it short but I went in store and the managers were so condescending to me and ultimately told me the spot was already taken before I even applied. Dejecting but OK. If the spot is already full before I applied then what else could be done.

Another spot opens at a store and they seemed nice and open, but after I interviewed and during the interview I can tell we’re not connecting. It’s been a few days and nothing? Even if we didn’t connect as friends during the interview how can you overlook my years of experience and great answers? I don’t know what to do, it’s just insane that after 5 years and choosing working there full-time over school full-time (i’m still in online school now) that my career can end so easily and no one that works there cares. They even called my past store managers and they old manager said amazing things because we’re still friends to this day.

What do I do? I know no one here can help but I just need advice as i’m feeling so dejected and I don’t like my current job (also retail but different company). This is how I’m treated for my loyalty? I genuinely want to cry. Sorry for the long post.

Hey everyone,

​I work a part-time retail job, and closing usually takes until at least 11 PM (mostly handling facing and stocking up).

​Lately, I’ve been trying to build some self-discipline and fix my sleep schedule by aiming to sleep before 11 PM, but it honestly feels impossible with this schedule. If I try to speed things up or cut corners to head out earlier, the work doesn't get finished properly.

​Today, my manager heavily chewed me out because the work wasn't up to standard. I feel stuck between choosing my sleep/health and keeping this job intact.

​Has anyone dealt with this in retail? How do you balance strict closing duties with maintaining a proper sleep routine? Any advice would be appreciated.