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Adventures in Retail

As I mentioned in my return-from-the-dead post, there have been a number of changes in my life. I had a rather hasty multi-year absence from blogging. I got a divorce. I moved. I got a new husband. And there have been a few job changes sprinkled evenly in the middle. I quit freelancing and went back to working a day job.

Now, I'm working retail. Full-time retail. I've had plenty of experience in this field. In fact, except for a short stint as a fill-in reporter for a paper and some time in a car-parts factory, every job I have ever had included elements of retail to it. Sure, the titles often sounded more important than that but basically, Art Gallery Administrator was retail in fancy surroundings, and Receptionist at an Animal Hospital was basically an odd retail/triage/medical situation. Yes, there were other elements to it but there was a heck of a lot of retail mixed in there for good measure.

I don't mind. I'm good at selling stuff and I like where I am. Unlike the car parts factory, there is no chance I'm going to fall asleep and end up with my face stuck to a furnace. True story. Happened to someone where I was working. Great safety briefing story but I like my face as it is.

What I don't like is how retail brings out the worst in some people. Not everyone, mind you. There are a ton of people who come through those doors who are pleasant, who genuinely appreciate what I am doing for them and were raised with manners. But there are a large number of people who seem to have been raised by wolves and will tear into you if you show the least sign of weakness.

I've made it through the Christmas retail rush with my dignity and most of my sanity intact. I guess if I can handle that I can take just about anything this job can throw at me. I'm just gonna keep buying lottery tickets in the meantime though.
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