Page 2 | "Too Pretty for Retail" – What Does That Even Mean?

TheGrinds · 2024-09-21T12:11:46+00:00

Hey all, Lately, I've had people telling me I "shouldn’t be working in retail" because apparently, I’m "too pretty" and "should be a model." Like, sorry, didn’t realize my face had a career preference! 😂 It’s awkward and kinda frustrating, especially when I’m just trying to do my job (which, by the way, gives me the flexibility I need as a parent). AIBU for feeling annoyed to get these weird “compliments” that feel more like career advice? How do you respond without just standing there, speechless?

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 21/09/2024 15:57

One of the girls in Aldi is ravishingly beautiful, think Cretan fresco. I wouldn’t tell her though ( I expect she knows) and as she is also very pleasant I hope she goes on working there.

TouringTheTearooms · 21/09/2024 15:55

I usually get these comments mainly from women, but recently, a teenage boy started to agree with his mom

Wow. You've managed to bump into a number of very unusual women AND an even more unusual teenage boy op.

Who'd have thought it right? I mean...it's almost unbelievable. But you'd need to be a right sad sack to make up or hugely exagerrate something so inane so I believe you 🙃

DevotedSisterBelovedCunt · 21/09/2024 15:54

Thepeopleversuswork · 21/09/2024 13:32

This is a blatant tacky stealth boast and if you can’t tell that this is blokes trying to get into you knickers then don’t go into modelling.

Its basically a charter for perverts and leches. You don’t have a tough enough hide for it if you are actually flattered by this slimy behaviour.

OP doesn't give any indication that she wants to try to get into modelling. What an odd response.

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 15:49

Are you very tall?

Original poster

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 15:48

New2thisshizzle · 21/09/2024 15:21

But being a model isn’t really about being pretty. Aside from the stature you have to be photogenic, many pretty people aren’t. I probably look better in photos than real life! 😆

I totally get that! I’m definitely not photogenic, and honestly, I don’t even think I’m that pretty—just have more of an unusual look, I guess.

OP posts:

New2thisshizzle · 21/09/2024 15:21

But being a model isn’t really about being pretty. Aside from the stature you have to be photogenic, many pretty people aren’t. I probably look better in photos than real life! 😆

New2thisshizzle · 21/09/2024 15:18

I used to model & worked in retail. In a posh shop on Bond st though, it was normal then for shop assistants to be attractive.

5128gap · 21/09/2024 15:15

Its just flattery OP. The 'you should be a model' compliment is old enough to have whiskers. They are just personalising it because they know your job. Just ignore them if it bothers you.

Original poster

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 15:07

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 21/09/2024 14:30

See the fact that you were quick to respond to this quite needy and slightly odd male (who is hanging out on a female website) shows to me that maybe you're a little bit too open and possibly slightly naive? Not to be horrible and these are both nice qualities, but if you're seeming receptive to flattering or over familiar comments from people you don't know in a work environment - well then that will be why people are continuing to make them.

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Ah, I appreciate the concern! But trust me, being polite doesn’t mean I’m naive.

OP posts:

Differentstarts · 21/09/2024 14:42

Iv had this and similar from old creepy men iv never had a woman say it that's really weird

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:31

BlouseyBrownMalone · 21/09/2024 14:31

Brilliant. Does she get that comment, ever?

Not that she's mentioned. She went for the job and they said 'can you start next week'.

😂

BlouseyBrownMalone · 21/09/2024 14:31

Brilliant. Does she get that comment, ever?

Not that she's mentioned. She went for the job and they said 'can you start next week'.

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 21/09/2024 14:30

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 14:16

😅Maybe there’s a reason it’s not working—people might just think you’re being awkward! Sometimes compliments can come off the wrong way, especially in unexpected places!

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See the fact that you were quick to respond to this quite needy and slightly odd male (who is hanging out on a female website) shows to me that maybe you're a little bit too open and possibly slightly naive? Not to be horrible and these are both nice qualities, but if you're seeming receptive to flattering or over familiar comments from people you don't know in a work environment - well then that will be why people are continuing to make them.

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:27

BlouseyBrownMalone · 21/09/2024 14:26

My nineteen year old is a model.

She also works in a fish and chip shop on Fridays.

Brilliant. Does she get that comment, ever?

MingingTiles · 21/09/2024 14:27

Seems a strange and rather rude thing for people to say. Sorry you've experienced this.

HaroldMeaker · 21/09/2024 14:26

I don't find it unusual at all. I've worked in retail - I'm definitely not too pretty lol - and it amazed me how much customers will witter endlessly on about absolute shite, including making very personal comments. I had one customer describe her previous visit to the shop and the conversation she'd had with a colleague "not you, the thin one" 😳

BlouseyBrownMalone · 21/09/2024 14:26

My nineteen year old is a model.

She also works in a fish and chip shop on Fridays.

herecomesautumn · 21/09/2024 14:24

What an odd thing for people to say

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:23

Bumcake · 21/09/2024 13:49

Are you also too sexy for your shirt?

So sexy it hurts

Devilsmommy · 21/09/2024 14:22

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 21/09/2024 14:08

I say this sort of thing to EVERYONE, in clothing shops, supermarkets, butchers, funeral parlours, restaurants, chemists, pet shops, fishmongers, traffic wardens - all in the rather forlorn hope that it may get me a discount, or perhaps an extra large piece of cake in a cafe.

So far...it hasn't worked.

🤣🤣🤣 excellent. Keep trying, you never know🤞

Serencwtch · 21/09/2024 14:22

A man told me I had the bone structure of Angelina jolie and should try modelling as I was too pretty to work in retail

I was working on the chicken counter in sainsburys. He then asked me to reduce a roast chicken for him.

I refused to reduce the chicken & still working in retail. I never tried modelling.

Some men are just dicks to retail staff although not as bad as how they behave towards hospitality staff when drunk. Take it as a compliment, laugh it off & then ignore them

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:22

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 21/09/2024 14:08

I say this sort of thing to EVERYONE, in clothing shops, supermarkets, butchers, funeral parlours, restaurants, chemists, pet shops, fishmongers, traffic wardens - all in the rather forlorn hope that it may get me a discount, or perhaps an extra large piece of cake in a cafe.

So far...it hasn't worked.

What a shame! I've tried the charm offensive by claiming that they're incredibly helpful etc, but no. Nowt.

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:20

Hoppinggreen · 21/09/2024 14:15

As the Mum of a teenage boy I am pretty certain that him and his mates would rather chew off their own leg than agree with their Mum that a sales assistant was pretty in front of her.
You must have come across a very unusual one

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Quite! I know my son wouldn't have said that!

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 21/09/2024 14:20

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 14:16

😅Maybe there’s a reason it’s not working—people might just think you’re being awkward! Sometimes compliments can come off the wrong way, especially in unexpected places!

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That's a good point, you're very clever.
Have you considered a career in Television or Films?

😇

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:20

What a peculiar thing. It sounds very dated, you used to hear it Back in The Day "you're too pretty to be..(whatever).. you should be a model!".
That was when models were pretty and not just 6' 4" and a size zero with unusual looks (note: exceptions exist)