Ahhh. November 1st. November first marks the beginning of the holiday season. Maybe for those who live in a bubble, it does not, but my dear friends, it most certainly does for those of us in retail. November first kicks off many different seasons. It’s as if the passing of Halloween triggers something in people. Immediately, as if on cue, an unusual amount of customers begin ripping off my head, and the heads of others. I do not know if this is because we live up north, and everyone is deprived of their vitamin D, or if it is the added stress of going into the holiday season. November marks the beginning of crabby customer season, and epsom salt bath season. My feet are throbbing as I type this very post, despite having finally had a day off after working six days in a row.
Although there are many reasons to hate November 1st, I do not completely hate it. Yes, it marks the beginning of the most stressful time of year, but it also marks something magical. Everyone working is excited, the shiny new decorations being put up throughout the store, interacting with customers and their kids, dressing up as Santa and his Elves; it is quite special. Retail workers across the country will be putting in extra hours at work, and pulling off minor miracles daily. The camaraderie in the stores is at an all time high. All the planning for Black Friday has already taken place, and hopefully, assuming you’re in a well planned store, the week of you stage the store for what will end up being about two hours of pure, blissful chaos. Everyone knows what to do, there is excitement in the air and all the customers are happy to be scoring awesome deals whilst getting their Christmas shopping done. Yes, my friends, it is magical. And within twelve hours, the stores will go back to their normal level of holiday cheer. The customer will not be able to tell that just a short 8 hours ago there were massive crowds rushing in to purchase the season’s latest and greatest gifts.
This is what we live for in retail. But, as a kind reminder, please be nice to your cashiers and store employees. Yes, it is true we have all signed up to work retail, but we did not sign up to be punching bags for your misdirected rage. We would love to help you, please just don’t yell. We’re human too. And we hope that you have a magnificent holiday season.
Carolynski Marie 