Soooo....I quit my job!

I was working at Columbia Sportswear here in Bend. Great company, awesome product. I can not do retail.

Not many people are quitting their jobs right now, Ian and I count our blessings, and we're thankful we're in the minority when it comes to that! I thought i would share with you a few thoughts on my experience in retail.

#1 I learned that I'm not patient, and I'm not kind. If any of out out there thought i was either of those things: I FOOLED YOU!

A story to prove my point: I'm ringing a customer up. He has bought like, five items. Working here, I'm getting pretty good a multi tasking I can ring up an item, take off the hanger, fold it, put it in the bag, and after all that still hold a conversation. That's a lot to focus on! And I got pretty quick at it, too.

This process is pretty daunting, and I'm moving as quickly and as efficiently as i can. But with lots of items, it can take a little bit to get it all off hangers, folded and in the bag. So i finish ringing up the items, hit the button on my machine that says total, and tell him he owes $49.90. Now, mind you, I'm still taking off hangers folding his clothes, and putting them in the bag for him to take home. (Remember multi tasking, I'm good, real good i can hit total, and still get that stuff done!) The man slides his credit card, and IMMEDIATELY says "it says wait for Cashier"

You might read this and think nothing of it, no big deal. I mean it IS what the machine says.

I on the other hand, was pissed.

You want to know what i want to say to that man? If i was allowed i would have said this: (read totally sarcastic) "REALLY? That's what it says? Wait for cashier? GOD, sir, THANK you Thank you for telling me that! How did i get through this day not knowing what it said???!!! I would have waited all day had you not told me that's what it said!"

(now not sarcastic voice)"Seriously sir, I've rang up HUNDREDS of HUNDREDS of items. I've worked behind this one machine for the last 6 months of my life, i know exactly what that damn thing says, but if you would just give me like, THREE seconds to put all your shit in this stupid bag, i would then hit the button on my machine that will print out a little paper to get your signature. Please, don't talk to me like I'm stupid, like i don't know what it says. I know, i know all to well exactly what needs to happen in the next thirty seconds to get you out of here as quickly as possible, it may be a surprise to you but IT IS MY JOB. It is what i do every day."


Its not like i was standing there, twiddling my thumbs doing nothing, and there was this awkward pause waiting for cashier......

I WAS FOLDING ALL YOUR STUFF!!!!!!!!! AND GETTING IT PUT AWAY.

You see: No patience. I have none. And although i didn't say ANY of that out loud, i wanted to, and that is NOT kind.

That's just one story, i may share more later.

I'll tell you what, i will never shop the same. Those people at the stores you shop at, they may make eight bucks an hour, and wear a name tag, but guess what? Their one soul purpose in life is probably not to be at that store, and help you, they have families, lives, a job to do, so just be kind. Take a second, and maybe be grateful for the person bagging your groceries, putting your clothes in a bag, because I'm pretty sure they are doing the best they can. And I'm also pretty sure they know how to do their job.

I will shop differently, i will be more kind, i will watch my words from here on out.....