Merry Freaking Christmas To You Too!

I hit the mall today for some holiday shopping with my Dad. A yearly tradition, so Dad can find some good gifts for Mom. While we knew what we were going for and had a plan of attack, we decided to walk the mall to see if any other ideas would come to us. I mean really, what do you get for the woman who has everything?!? But that’s not my point. I would like to know what is wrong with people? Why does it seem that everyone is miserable while out shopping this time of year? I spent all of my working years in retail as everything from a lackey bag girl, to a store manager, so I had seen a lot in those years and had experienced first hand just how hateful people can be.

The holidays are a time of peace on earth and goodwill to men. Please STOP yelling at the retail employees! I heard so many rude customers verbally abusing store workers today and it made me sick. I think I had a few flash backs of people telling me I was an idiot or useless. If I could jump on my soapbox for just one second…I am an educated woman. I have a BS degree in Business for Penn State! In a few cases, the people calling me stupid were far less educated than I, and what could I do about it??? Nothing!

What I’m really getting at here, is be nice to the people who work in the stores you shop at. Don’t think because they work in retail that they’re stupid or in any way deserve the verbal abuse that so often comes their way. Try being polite, like your mother taught you. Words like please and thank you sure go a long way. Why not smile? It’s not an employee’s fault that a store might be out of something or that they have to follow a policy. Be patient and kind to others, because you wouldn’t want someone screaming in your face.

As you go out to the stores this weekend and find full parking lots and crowded stores, take a deep breath and try to relax. Don’t let all your frustrations out on some poor unsuspecting person. Have a safe and happy weekend. See you next week!

TGIF!