Working retail has been an overall good experience. You wouldn' t know that from the way I complain, would you?
But in all seriousness, I feel like I have benefited from working in retail. I have no problem striking up conversations with random people now. I feel it has helped my confidence and personality. I have also learned how to remain calm and put on a happy face.
I have also learned some bad things though. Like how clueless most people are. And how rude others can be. I guess I really did think that the world can't be that bad. But it is. People can sometimes get to you.
Again, I want to reiterate that I really like my job, but I always seem to have at least one story a night concerning a customer that seriously peeved me off. But I guess I am glad to an extent, at least I have interesting stories to tell.
So here are the main things I want you to learn from my experience working in the appliance department of retail.
1) For some reason, people think Food Network is the end all be all of kitchen tools. They see a certain gadget on a cooking show and have to have it.
"But Paula Dean uses a mesh strainer when she fries the ever-living daylights out of her okra!", they will yell.
"Yes, we have an excellent strainer by Hamilton Beach over here..."
"But that one's too meshy. Paula Dean's is more, ya know, more strainer-like."
Whatever that means. For the record, I really don't care for Paula Dean's products and I really hate Rachel Ray's, with the stupid signature orange handles. Blugh.
2) Please hear me out: We DO NOT carry banana peelers. The good Lord equipped you with two already. They are called your hands!
3) I have learned you can't please everyone, and that the world is very picky. We may very well have the hydrodynamic spatula with port and starboard attachments and turbo drive (LOL Spongebob fans) you are looking for at the best price you have seen, yet you will not buy it because you want to shop around. That's fair enough, but I hate that I could have been helping others out when you knew coming into the store you weren't buying today. Please tell me up front. And never say you will be back. Because no, you won't.
4) Money is very dirty.
5) And so are children. Thanks for sneezing on the cookie racks kids! And please parents, don't allow your teething baby to suck on that silicone spatula, even if you plan on buying. You have no idea that the last person who touched it dropped it on the floor and then picked it up with the same hand that just wiped their runny nose. And I am not lying one bit. Everything in retail should be sanitized daily.
6) I have learned to be more courteous to salespeople when I go into a store. Upbeat and happy people I check out in my store really put me in a good mood, and I know that other customers can be rude.
7) And there's something right there. Don't EVER be rude to the person behind the register. You know the horror stories warning you to never be an ass to your waiter because they will spit in your food? You can also read warnings about cashiers basically doing the same thing to you except, you know, with your debit card!
Granted, the culprit who wreaked havoc on your bank account can be found very quickly and easily and will be F-I-R-E-D, but that doesn't take away from the fact they were able to get your information.
And another thing. If at all possible, never pay with a check. I'm not sure of the whole story, but a guy my dad works with is a CPA and he says that he never pays for anything with a check because of the amount of personal info on that little piece of paper. Scared me to death. I never pay with check, ever.
8) Never ask my opinion of which product to buy. I will always tell you the most expensive is the best.
9) Please say "Thank you" after I show you where an item is in the store. It makes for an awkward situation because I don't know whether you still need me or not.
10) And lastly, we ask for your zip code for marketing purposes, such as where most of our customers are coming from. I, as a cashier, don't give a rats where you call home, I just need to type it in to the computer. Please do not give me a sour look and tell me no, I cannot have your zip code. Puh-lease. You are not the only one to live in that area, I swear. Also, please don't tell me that I don't need your zip code because you are just buying something. As is everyone else at the register, you dummy. And, please don't refuse and then hand me a check and your driver's license with your name, telephone number, street address, and ZIP CODE. Oh yeah, and your bank account number at the bottom of the check. Some people are real winners, let me tell you.
Just be nice to people and treat others as you want to be. Don't throw your money at me and expect me to not throw your change back at you. Everyone, including myself, sometimes forgets that the people serving us are humans too and don't appreciate being yelled at.
I almost think it should be required to work with the public at least once in your life. It changes your perception of others, for the better, mostly.
I just needed to write this post and I hope that if someone reads it and realizes they have not been so nice to those salespeople, that they will change.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
I Just Dear John'ed School
Dear School,
Yes, I don't need to make any introductions. We've known each other for almost 16 years. And it's been a love-hate kind of relationship, let's not lie.
We've had some great times. Do you remember making green goo in 2nd grade? That was fun. And do you also remember when I played General Robert E. Lee (granted, yes, I am a girl) in 7th grade for a movie by our History class? That was an awesome time. And do you remember those fun Thursday nights at PU that I will say no more about? Had a blast.
But we've also had some bad times. Do you remember getting in trouble in 2nd grade for giving a boy the middle finger? Yes, I do. Do you also remember how embarrassing it was to have to dance with boys during PE in middle school? I remember the pain. And do you remember those long art assignments at PU when I would work until 3 in the morning? I halfway do.
See, the thing is School, even though we've had some good times, I think we have been a little too close lately. There's been too much 'together-ness'. I feel like I am suffocating in this relationship. I'm really sorry that I have to do this, but I think we need to see other people.
I need to be truthful and tell you that I have been seeing Weekends on and off throughout the year and that in a few weeks, I plan to go out with Summer Break. I really hate to do this, but I think it will be better for our relationship. You've been getting on my nerves lately and I need some space. Please don't beat yourself up over it, even though it's definitely not me, it's you.
Meaghan
Yes, I don't need to make any introductions. We've known each other for almost 16 years. And it's been a love-hate kind of relationship, let's not lie.
We've had some great times. Do you remember making green goo in 2nd grade? That was fun. And do you also remember when I played General Robert E. Lee (granted, yes, I am a girl) in 7th grade for a movie by our History class? That was an awesome time. And do you remember those fun Thursday nights at PU that I will say no more about? Had a blast.
But we've also had some bad times. Do you remember getting in trouble in 2nd grade for giving a boy the middle finger? Yes, I do. Do you also remember how embarrassing it was to have to dance with boys during PE in middle school? I remember the pain. And do you remember those long art assignments at PU when I would work until 3 in the morning? I halfway do.
See, the thing is School, even though we've had some good times, I think we have been a little too close lately. There's been too much 'together-ness'. I feel like I am suffocating in this relationship. I'm really sorry that I have to do this, but I think we need to see other people.
I need to be truthful and tell you that I have been seeing Weekends on and off throughout the year and that in a few weeks, I plan to go out with Summer Break. I really hate to do this, but I think it will be better for our relationship. You've been getting on my nerves lately and I need some space. Please don't beat yourself up over it, even though it's definitely not me, it's you.
Meaghan
Sunday, April 26, 2009
That Ain't No Woolly Mammoth! That's a Naked Elephant!
WARNING: The following is a ramble.
I always feel so smart when I watch National Geographic. This time it was the special on the baby woolly mammoth that was found that is being called Lyuba. Those computer generated mammoths were so cute!
That summer feeling has started to take hold of me! I need to be careful that I don't seriously slack off. But I am normally killing myself from too much studying around this time of year, so I know I'll be alright. Finals are coming up in 3 weeks and I know I will be ready because of all my non-stop painful studying I will be doing.
And then I get to do it all over again during summer school. But I digress.
I'm mostly looking to get through these next two weeks of school and work. Work is going to be a major pain in my butt these next few. Being scheduled for multiple (meaning 4) weekends in a row is great! Thanks C! I really appreciate it! I guess I really didn't make it evident that I do have other things to do in life besides for selling Oneida products.
Does it seem like I complain about work a lot? Maybe it's just that I feel like I work with people who can sometimes be pretty incompetent. Boss has been really great lately though. I hope she sees that I am really trying and that I am learning more about the company. I've been feeling better about my performance at work in the past 2 weeks
I think I am going to start this week off right and go to sleep after reading a bit from HP1. Yeah...I'm all the way at the beginning! I'm glad to soon be getting more free time to read and do things I really want. I'm sure summer school will be pretty low-key considering it is online. And this summer I can be making the big bucks (yeah right) to pay for books for next semester!!! How lucky I am.
But really, I am. I need to remember that more often. Things aren't that bad and I need to be thankful that I have things to keep me occupied. And that I have good things to be worried about, like school. At least I am not worrying about a sick family member or a loved one overseas. I'll count my blessings.
And as Mom always says: "This too shall pass."
I always feel so smart when I watch National Geographic. This time it was the special on the baby woolly mammoth that was found that is being called Lyuba. Those computer generated mammoths were so cute!
That summer feeling has started to take hold of me! I need to be careful that I don't seriously slack off. But I am normally killing myself from too much studying around this time of year, so I know I'll be alright. Finals are coming up in 3 weeks and I know I will be ready because of all my non-stop painful studying I will be doing.
And then I get to do it all over again during summer school. But I digress.
I'm mostly looking to get through these next two weeks of school and work. Work is going to be a major pain in my butt these next few. Being scheduled for multiple (meaning 4) weekends in a row is great! Thanks C! I really appreciate it! I guess I really didn't make it evident that I do have other things to do in life besides for selling Oneida products.
Does it seem like I complain about work a lot? Maybe it's just that I feel like I work with people who can sometimes be pretty incompetent. Boss has been really great lately though. I hope she sees that I am really trying and that I am learning more about the company. I've been feeling better about my performance at work in the past 2 weeks
I think I am going to start this week off right and go to sleep after reading a bit from HP1. Yeah...I'm all the way at the beginning! I'm glad to soon be getting more free time to read and do things I really want. I'm sure summer school will be pretty low-key considering it is online. And this summer I can be making the big bucks (yeah right) to pay for books for next semester!!! How lucky I am.
But really, I am. I need to remember that more often. Things aren't that bad and I need to be thankful that I have things to keep me occupied. And that I have good things to be worried about, like school. At least I am not worrying about a sick family member or a loved one overseas. I'll count my blessings.
And as Mom always says: "This too shall pass."
Friday, April 24, 2009
Squirrel Food
Interested in what I consider lunch?
I eat this:
What is it, you ask? It is quinoa, black beans, feta, and peppers lightly drizzled in a garlic dressing with strawberries and water.
Here's a close-up:
It's super healthy and super good. I challenge you to eliminate one meat from your diet once a day and see how good you feel after one week. And yes, beans of all kinds really do act as a meat. My favorite, as you should know, is black beans. Did you know that black beans are so versatile that you could puree them to be put in brownie mix? Watch anyone taste the difference.
How do you make such a wonderful meal? Well, with time, that's how. This is not a super-quick lunch, but it's not going to take you hours either.
1. Start off with some quinoa grains. Don't be scared of them. Just read the directions on the box to cook them. Just make sure to rinse them in cold water before you boil them!
2. Open a can of black beans and drain. And don't be putting an entire can into your meal unless you want to be called Mr./Ms. Fart-A-Lot.
3. Sprinkle some black beans and feta cheese onto the quinoa. Add veggies, fruits, whatever good-for-you items you find in the fridge. Drizzle with your favorite oil-based dressing. But use it sparingly. The point is to not rack up so many calories. That's what the cheese is for. You want minimal calories with a meal, but it should have a lot of fiber to keep you full.
All of this takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
If you've never had quinoa, don't be alarmed the first time you open the package. It will look weird. And the taste is a bit corny, but if it is cooked right, it will not be crunchy like corn.
If you really need a meat with this meal, substitute tuna or salmon bits for the black beans. It will taste pretty good that way too. I just choose more earthy kinds of foods when I cook though.
Now that I had lunch, I am feeling great! J and I may go on a bike ride later or just do something outside considering how pretty it is!
I eat this:
What is it, you ask? It is quinoa, black beans, feta, and peppers lightly drizzled in a garlic dressing with strawberries and water.
Here's a close-up:
It's super healthy and super good. I challenge you to eliminate one meat from your diet once a day and see how good you feel after one week. And yes, beans of all kinds really do act as a meat. My favorite, as you should know, is black beans. Did you know that black beans are so versatile that you could puree them to be put in brownie mix? Watch anyone taste the difference.How do you make such a wonderful meal? Well, with time, that's how. This is not a super-quick lunch, but it's not going to take you hours either.
1. Start off with some quinoa grains. Don't be scared of them. Just read the directions on the box to cook them. Just make sure to rinse them in cold water before you boil them!
2. Open a can of black beans and drain. And don't be putting an entire can into your meal unless you want to be called Mr./Ms. Fart-A-Lot.
3. Sprinkle some black beans and feta cheese onto the quinoa. Add veggies, fruits, whatever good-for-you items you find in the fridge. Drizzle with your favorite oil-based dressing. But use it sparingly. The point is to not rack up so many calories. That's what the cheese is for. You want minimal calories with a meal, but it should have a lot of fiber to keep you full.
All of this takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
If you've never had quinoa, don't be alarmed the first time you open the package. It will look weird. And the taste is a bit corny, but if it is cooked right, it will not be crunchy like corn.
If you really need a meat with this meal, substitute tuna or salmon bits for the black beans. It will taste pretty good that way too. I just choose more earthy kinds of foods when I cook though.
Now that I had lunch, I am feeling great! J and I may go on a bike ride later or just do something outside considering how pretty it is!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
She Hates It
And that certain 'she' would be Baby. J and I have to give her a bath twice a week for her skin condition. I know she hates it, but she looks soo super cute when we douse her with water. And after I blow dry her, she is so fluffy! She is the most adorable dog ever. See?
I love my furry sister so much! For being such a patient and calm girl while we washed her, she got two goodies. Lucky her!
Not much is going on in life right now. I am semi-busy with school, but paired with work, I am pretty well busy. I don't know how people are so swamped with schoolwork near finals. Maybe I always get lucky with my pick of teachers, but I have never been so overwhelmed with school that I am about to drop. Unlike most people I guess. I will count my blessings then.
Oh, and for Things I Love Thursday....
I LOVE Lorena Siminovich. Her art is amazing and you should really check her out. Her website to buy her work is Petit Collage. I was given the Owl On Tree canvas print for my birthday. Such a wonderful, whimsical gift. This is my kind of art!
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