To enjoy my retail job?

[DancingDelli]

I know most people think of retail as "bottom of the chain" and something for uneducated people but I actually love my job!

I work for a premium shoe brand, my team are the loveliest group of people to work with and I generally enjoy going to work.

There is room for progression within the company and it's definitely an option for the future but for now I'm very happy in my job.

Would you judge me for not aiming for higher and being content where I am?

Do you really have to ask if you're unreasonable to do something that makes you happy? Of course you aren't!

Retail is definitely not bottom of the chain or for uneducated people OP. Anyone who thinks (or says that) is a tool. The country would grind to a halt without service and retail staff. It's great you've found a job you love.

YANBU.

I worked retail for ten years and enjoyed it too

Thankyou sometimes I just feel like people are judging me for not working in a particularly "skilled" job.

People can be judgemental, definitely. But it’s great you love your retail job. I love mine too and I’m good at it which is a lovely feeling.

Retail is an important job. Where would we be without retail staff?

Loving your job is more important that what some strangers might think of you. Personally, I think it’s a great industry and a largely meritocratic one still - I read that the chief exec of Morrisons started his career as a shelf stacker!

Only a total knob would judge you.

Who is judging you? Or are you imagining it? This is such a strange thread - how can you possibly be unreasonable to continue to do something which you enjoy?

I started retail as a Xmas job (on top of my normal job) 2 years ago hated it to begin with but am still there and some days actually really enjoy it. It's totally different from my other job and actually really enjoy being able to help a customer.

I worked at Topshop whilst at university/6th form and it was genuinely the best job I will ever have - I miss it dearly.

I essentially spent all week working with (genuine) friends, we were all very close (inc management). Most of my colleagues were the same age as me, with the same interests, whereas my current colleagues in my finance career are in a completely different place in life.

My managers were amazing, they let me get away with anything and were very supportive and caring. I was promoted various times, got to work the exact shifts I wanted, could always get lots of overtime as they valued my skill set.

The customers were amazing. TOPSHOP customers are very chill, complaints/rudeness was rare. On the whole there were many lovely conversations actually, I was even someone’s therapist at the till! She just had to unload.

Also the brand/company is quite fun, there were always events and interesting things going on. Discount was decent too. I had it very good there - such a cushy job!

Good for you OP, I was in a stressful job and took redundancy, I beat myself up regularly thinking what I'd have been earning if I'd stayed. I'm now in a "bottom of the pile" job wondering if everyone is judging me and thinking that I'm not very bright so I know what you mean. Enjoy that you are happy in your job, nobody knows why or how you ended up doing what you're doing and the discount on high end shoes!

If its friends judging you, then you need new friends. It is great that you enjoy your job so much. The great thing with retail is that with a bit of a experience you are unlikely to ever be out of a job for long. The hours are a bit crap but if you like dealing with the public then its a great job. I worked in a shop a while back in addition to my main job when I wanted to save extra money to enable me to take a longer maternity leave, I really enjoyed it. If you are interested in the products, then its even better!

I work part time in retail and enjoy my job. I certainly wouldnt look down on people working in retail (or any other job for that matter) & if someone judges me well Im not too bothered.

I worked for years in a different more “professional” field and after a break for many years at home as a sahm got my current role.

It suits me as the hours fit around partner and kids which means no childcare costs although it does involve weekends. Its literally 5 mins from my house so no long commute.

Generally speaking the customers are lovely & I meet lots of interesting people. Others working there are lovely so for me its all good!

If it works for you & you are happy then thats all that matters!

YANBU and I say that as someone who is really really career driven. If you enjoy your job and pay your bills that’s perfect.

And it sounds like you might have the choice to progress in the future - but if you don’t want to that would be fine too as long as YOU are still happy. Fuck anyone else who looks down on you. It’s most likely only because they’re miserable and trying to make themself feel better.

YANBU, i really enjoyed working in retail. I found sales targets motivating and took pride in being able to sell additional items without making people feel that I was glazed eyes parroting a line at them. I got a great sense of pride out of giving someone good customer service and helping them leave with what they wanted, or restocking at the end of the day and leaving the sales floor looking ship shape.

I love working in retail.Every day is different and certainly don't think i am at the bottom of the chain!As long as you're happy, who cares what anyone else thinks?

I think you enjoy your job because you work in a higher end store, I don’t think you’d be saying this if you worked in Poundland or Asda.

I worked retail when I was a student and it was the darkest time of my life. People treat me like a literal piece of shit and yes, I definitely felt judged or looked down on.

I think people who work in ‘nicer’ stores have an easier ride but people who work somewhere like greggs have to suffer through idiots talking to them like something they just trod on.

No way. I’d admire you for finding something that suits you so well.
I had my make up done ina Bonnie Brown store, she was so happy and in her element. She just radiated.

I work in retail, and I love it and I am good at what I do. I work with some of the best people and have the best time.

It’s not my choice of role due to the low salary, weekend working and dealing with people but there is nothing wrong with working in retail or enjoying what you do.

There’s retail jobs and retail jobs though.

I work in a little posh gift shop and I absolutely love my job. We’re a small team, we all get on, there’s no micromanaging and all of us pull together. It’s great.

But I’ve done my time in supermarkets and newsagents with petty management where you get written warnings for too many loo breaks or whatever, and it’s soul destroying.

But I would never look down on anyone in retail even if I was the highest of high flyers. I find my job rewarding and I look forward to my shifts and I’m in a fortunate position of not needing to earn very much. But the reality for a lot of people is zero hour contracts and minimum wage.

Personally I always rate people who can do a job well/ professionally /efficently ( and look like they enjoy it) and even more so if it’s a typically crap job.
We just got back from a weekend away and the chambermaid made our tip of a room immaculate whilst we went for breakfast. We left a massive tip because clearly she ( they were all female) was excellent.
I love the shop staff / waiting/ bar that look like they are employed rather than there because they have to be.
Good service makes such a difference.

I don’t judge anyone for the work they do, and if they enjoy their work then all I can say is I’m jealous!

DH is ‘only’ a postman and his granny is very sniffy about it but he genuinely loves his job. He’s the only person I know who has never, ever sighed or moaned about having to go to work.

One thing I've learnt is that life is short. We spend a lot if time in work, so if you're happy in work and enjoying it then enjoy it!