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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Retail workers working today and tomorrow

108 replies

Darkestnight · 23/12/2018 08:16

I wish you good luck and let's hope there are not to many rude customers to deal with on one of the biggest shopping days of the year.
I had quite a few yesterday and just smiled at him and that got to him big time. Let's also hear any stories you have on customers what has happened today or the last few days.

OP posts:

Pachyderm1 · 23/12/2018 08:17

This sounds a bit like a journo request, but on the off chance it’s not good luck for the next couple of days!

Original poster

Darkestnight · 23/12/2018 08:19

I'm not a journalist I've been on mumsnet along time and posted a lot... Search if u are sceptical

OP posts:

LoniceraJaponica · 23/12/2018 08:20

DD is working today. Will report back later.

Caxx · 23/12/2018 08:22

That's really nice of you getting ready to leave my kids and enter the 7th circle of hell have a good day

JustanotherCHRISTMASuser01 · 23/12/2018 08:23

I had a shop assistant in house of fraser yesterday actually seem taken back when i wished her a happy Christmas makes me wonder what shit she had to put up with yesterday!

Original poster

Darkestnight · 23/12/2018 08:25

Sounds like we're all in for it. As I say before going in the door... Welcome to the lions den.

OP posts:

Original poster

Darkestnight · 23/12/2018 08:27

Wishing retail workers happy Christmas is rare but I had a few say it to me yesterday and one lovely lady gave me a hug

OP posts:

GrimSisters · 23/12/2018 08:28

I was in Next yesterday and there was a drunk member of a well known local community/family giving a load of shit to the young lad at the counter. Lasted about 10 minutes as the twat got togged up at the counter, veered between calling the sales assistant a fucking cunt and being his 'best mate' (you know that kind of knife edge situation usually seen in pubs and clubs, where it could go either way) and blethered on about 'respect'.
Awful. I'd normally have no qualms about intervening, but they were handling him really well and didn't want to exacerbate the situation - just lurked/observed by the boxers shorts in case they needed witnesses (and shooting the odd 'wanker' hand signal behind his back in solidarity).
Congratulated him on his de-escalation skills afterwards, was really impressed. Seriously though, why should they have to put up with it.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 23/12/2018 08:29

I used to work at Morrison's. People coming in at 3pm in Christmas eve and shouting at you becasue there was no veg, meat (of any description not just turkey) milk or bread was not unusual. People go mad for some reason.

AmandaBuffamonteezi · 23/12/2018 08:31

I went to our local retail park yesterday and it was so busy but I made sure I thanked every single person who served me and was really nice to them. I do this all year round anyway but was extra cheery in doing so and wishing them a merry Christmas yesterday.

HappyKatieA · 23/12/2018 08:32

I was dreading doing last minute shopping yesterday at a big local town. However, it was lovely! Everyone in good spirits, not too busy, the shop assistants I spoke to were so relieved!
Having worked in my teens and through Uni in retail / hospitality, I know how hard it is, so go out of my way to make it more enjoyable, it seems lots of other did too

EssentialHummus · 23/12/2018 08:43

My local Sainsbury’s hires a lot of people with learning difficulties and moderate MH issues... I really hope customers treat them well and with patience.

ShutUpBaz · 23/12/2018 08:43

This is my last Christmas in hospitality and we are expecting a full day of once-a-year-wankers. Yes, we do have a name for you twats who demand the earth for free just because it's Christmas dontchaknow! New job in the New Year and I cannot wait.

Good luck and Happy Christmas to all retail and hospitality staff today!

FrankieChips · 23/12/2018 08:45

I used to love working retail at Christmas. It was so busy and everyone would really work as a team. I would happily chat to. The customers while scanning away. Had a few horrors but nothing major.

Whereisthecoffee · 23/12/2018 08:46

Dp is at work today and tomorrow he works security. Shop lifters and people who set the alarms off that haven’t stolen are apparently extra touchy at the minute.

Sophiesdog11 · 23/12/2018 08:47

My DD18 is working in one of large supermarkets this year in gap year (she also worked in one of their smaller stores last year as a Temp) but this is more long term and as a result she has some long Christmas shifts. Has done long days Fri and Sat, is just getting herself ready for 10am start today, followed by a killer 7am start tomorrow (she also has 20+ mins commute).

We haven't had any stories of bad behaviour yet, but guess it may come today or tomorrow. She is looking forward to a lie in on Tuesday!! Fortunately we are just the 4 of us on Tuesday so can have a chilled day, no pressure on her to get up early. She is also in Boxing day and been told it can be very busy, presumably there will be sales as she is in a large store which includes non food.

DS also worked in a clothing store in sixth form, including some xmas shifts.

Good luck to everyone working in retail over next few days, you are much appreciated.

Amaaboutthis · 23/12/2018 08:47

I worked I retail for many years and loved the last few days before Christmas. It was crazy busy and there were the odd rude customer but generally people were in great moods and it was a lot of fun. Setting up for the sale on Xmas eve after closure was a less fun but trading hours were great

StyleOfTheTimes · 23/12/2018 08:50

keep us nhs staff in your thoughts to! I work in pharmacy and believe me people are vile this time of year. It’s our fault they forgot to request life saving medication early enough. It’s our fault medication is out of stock or the particular brand they MUST have isn’t available. People very rarely say please and thank you this time of year as well. You have to just rise above it and smile. Good luck to anyone who has to deal with the general public at this time of year!

Bungalowbeth · 23/12/2018 08:52

I gave absolutely no fucks yesterday when a customer told me we had lost her as a customer as we had no fresh turkeys. We have been advertising pre ordering for weeks! Ffs.

However 99 percent of the customers were lovely. I’m done now but good luck to you still out there.

dementedma · 23/12/2018 08:53

not retail but DH works in residential child care. Christmas is not a good time for these kids. He's just come in from night shift having been verbally and physically assaulted (it happens pretty much every day mind you) by the youngsters he's trying to help. As he says, the irony is the kids are angry because they aren't allowed to go home to spend time with the fuckwits whose behaviour meant they ended up in care in the first place. They are at risk if they go home but they want to go anyway.
The Christmas day shift will spend most of their day having presents thrown at them and being told to fuck off.

pancaketosser · 23/12/2018 08:53

Not heard the term once-a-year-wankers in years! Love it!

ThanosSavedMe · 23/12/2018 08:54

I’d like to wish everyone who has to work over Christmas a very merry Christmas.

EffOrf · 23/12/2018 08:55

Yes people must realise it is not the shop assistants fault if you have left your brussel buying until Christmas Eve afternoon.

DS worked in Waitrose as a student and quite used to enjoy the Christmas Eve afternoon battles for the reduced turkeys as I think quite a crowd used to hover around waiting for them.

Happy Christmas to all

AFOLNerd · 23/12/2018 09:00

I worked yesterday and I only had one slightly stroppy woman because I refused a refund (it wasn’t her card) doesn’t bother me strop all you like I’m not going to back down!
Most people were really nice, lots wished me good luck and said merry Christmas.
Fingers crossed for the same tomorrow.

JoHoHoanJettPack · 23/12/2018 09:04

I work in a ladies clothing store. Yesterday, I was in all day and it was rammed with perplexed men looking for pyjamas or slippers and teenagers buying gift cards for their nans.
There was the odd passive aggressive comment about wait times at the till but generally, they were all well behaved.
I've got a 4 hour shift today. Let's hope that doesn't descend into carnage.

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