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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

80 replies

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 13:11

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?

OP posts:
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:
KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 15:49

Are you very tall?

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.

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 🙃

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.

Awfeck · 21/09/2024 16:07

Ask the next one that says this if they are implying all your work colleagues are ugly?

JFDIYOLO · 21/09/2024 16:24

Remember that woman who worked at Hollister's and was relegated to the stock room cos she only had one arm?

So there's some kind of pretty window where you have to meet certain criteria, not too pretty, not too ... not ..., before you get to flog frocks

New2thisshizzle · 21/09/2024 17:04

Just take the compliment.

Scammersarescum · 21/09/2024 17:16

Well at least it wasn't the other way around OP. I was told I wasn't pretty enough to work in retail.

Also why has Mom become so prevalent on mumsnet all of a sudden? Yes it is used in certain parts of the UK but mum is far more common.

Almost feels like a lot of the posts aren't real. They seem to come in waves. At the moment there's loads about irresponsible grandparents or in laws. Lots of Americanisms in them like kinda. All written in very long paragraphs.

Original poster
TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 17:21

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 15:49

Are you very tall?

5ft 7, is that tall enough to be a cashier?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 17:23

DevotedSisterBelovedCunt · 21/09/2024 15:54

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

Show quote history

Definitely, I don't want to become one.

OP posts:
KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 17:29

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 17:21

5ft 7, is that tall enough to be a cashier?

Show quote history

Definitely 😁! I was wondering if you were current model height, ie 6ft plus!

MumsKnackeredTaxi · 21/09/2024 17:30

Scammersarescum · 21/09/2024 17:16

Well at least it wasn't the other way around OP. I was told I wasn't pretty enough to work in retail.

Also why has Mom become so prevalent on mumsnet all of a sudden? Yes it is used in certain parts of the UK but mum is far more common.

Almost feels like a lot of the posts aren't real. They seem to come in waves. At the moment there's loads about irresponsible grandparents or in laws. Lots of Americanisms in them like kinda. All written in very long paragraphs.

God that's harsh to be told that.
I can remember people saying "they have a face for radio" I mean wtf? I'd be happy with the compliment OP, something that hasn't ever happened to me. I was a very beautiful baby apparently, then life happened.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/09/2024 17:31

Ah, love a good stealth brag…

Bigearringsbigsmile · 21/09/2024 17:32

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Xmasbaby11 · 21/09/2024 17:36

It's such a bizarre comment! Just take it as a compliment OP, the way it was intended.

blacksax · 21/09/2024 17:39

TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 17:21

5ft 7, is that tall enough to be a cashier?

Show quote history

Well it's certainly not tall enough to become a model, so that's all right then.

Original poster
TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 17:47

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 🙃

I wish it wasn't real, because honestly, I keep questioning myself what makes people say those sorts of things without knowing the other person on the other side, just giving random unsolicited awkward advice.

OP posts:
lovelydayIhave · 21/09/2024 17:58

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 21/09/2024 17:31

Ah, love a good stealth brag…

Precisely.🥴

Original poster
TheGrinds · 21/09/2024 18:07

I think people are missing my point. It's not about accepting the compliment—it's about others assuming I should do something else based on my appearance. Beauty doesn't define someone's career or passion, and it's strange when people think it should.

OP posts:
andbytheway · 21/09/2024 18:16

Oh dear.

LaMarschallin · 21/09/2024 22:03

KateDelRick · 21/09/2024 14:23

So sexy it hurts

Show quote history

I'm too sexy for this thread

MingingTiles · 21/09/2024 22:04

To me it seems more like negging than paying a compliment.

New2thisshizzle · 21/09/2024 22:31

I was wondering if you were current model height, ie 6ft plus!

You don’t need to be that height to be a model. 5ft 9/10 is pretty common

EsmeSusanOgg · 21/09/2024 23:27

It sounds like customers trying to pay an awkward compliment whilst idle chit-chatting. It is fairly common in retail. And OP is allowed to find it a bit awkward. Have none of the posters disbelieving her ever had a part time job in a department store/ supermarket? A lot of the younger female taff also have to deal with Leary men and just nod and smile.