Mental Mondays- Don't put it in your Mouth

Hello Kid-lets,

So I present to you another Mental Monday!

This is one from a way back in my own past. One with a few cobwebs, but something recently came up and reminded me of it.

The back story...

This happened a couple of years ago when I was just starting my intimate apparel sales career. I had done clothes, food, books and many other things, this one was brand new to me.
I was training to become a manager at a different location, and as the newbie, I got the jobs on the lower end of the totem pole.

This one was cleaning panty tables. It had been a busy saturday and the table was a heaping pile of easily 500 or so pairs of panties.
I scratched my head is dismay but started in one corner and just went it at it.

Right near the end, I found 3 pairs of panties that had some sort of crusted stain. Now I am familiar with food stains on clothes, customers who come in to browse and don't pay attention with their drinks or food, but I did not recognize this particular stain.

I picked them up (not by the stain I swear) and took them to my training manager. I asked her what it was.

She looked at my with eyes wide as saucers and said.
"Cut those up, and GO WASH YOUR HANDS."

right in that shining moment, it dawned on me what that crusty substance was...

EEWWWWW!!!!

LADIES, IF YOU ARE TRYING ON PANTIES OR SWIMSUIT BOTTOMS, PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LEAVE YOUR OWN PANTIES ON UNDER THEM. NOBODY WANTS TO BUY PANTIES THAT HAVE BEEN WORN BEFORE. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHATS BEEN IN THERE!

[This message has been brought to you on behalf of Mental Mondays on the Running Commentary of the Creatively Crazy]

Mental Mondays- What Color is my Collar?

Hello Everyone,

I bring to you the tales of the retail wage slave!

Today I bring a mini rant about the snobbish ways of the Holier than though customer who thinks just because they don't have a retail job, they are automatically better than those of us who work in retail.

This particular story comes from a coworker of mine who had to deal with a particular seedy specimen. As I work in the middle of downtown, I am surrounded by business people all day. And I will openly admit that most of them are the nicest people I have ever met, but every once in a while... well... they leave an impression

So for this retelling of this particular story, we will call her "Lindsay".

So Lindsay was helping this one middle aged man through the hoodies, as he was looking for one to wear under his winter coat We had ones lined with this fluffy sherpa wool and they were super warm and perfect for him. Lindsay started telling him that she had just bought it for her boyfriend and that it looked super cute on him. He interupts her and states this particular statement

Customer: Is there anything in here that is not made for construction workers? I am not a blue collar worker!"

Lisaday: ... Excuse me?

She left him strictly alone after that.

We do not sell business suits, we do not sell dress slacks or shirts, that is not what we have ever or will ever sell. We sell jeans, hoodies and t-shirts. I'm sorry, I did not know that white collared workers don't wear jeans, and t-shirts on their day off, that they eat breathe and sleep in their crisply pressed brooks brothers suits.

for about 10$ for everything in the store... what the hell do you expect.

And this is by far not the first time any person has ever looked down their nose at me based solely on my profession. Don't assume that because I work at the local mall that I have no higher education. Excuse you, I have post secondary education, I could go into dozens of different office jobs (and not a secretary) or even enter a trade whenever I want, but that is not where my passion is. I have yet to find my true calling.. and trust me, I am on the hunt for it. I will go into whatever my heart wants...

Anywho...

I'll see you next monday!!!
Cheers!

Mental Mondays- A Suspicious Gift

Today I bring another Mental Monday Escapade.

As having dealt with unusual customers all my life, I feel that they are a character building experience. A way to gain patience and understanding. Also, a way to build a will of iron and an appreciation for the mundane days where nothing blew up in your face.

Today's story comes from a coworker of mine. A fine specimen of retail management, who has dealt with so many trying customers that she lost count and can't remember. This one happened just recently. Her namesake will be kept confidential and we will just call her Mimi for fun! (and because I think the name is cute, like her)

She was working on a busy day, and a customer came to return items. With the receipt and everything, Mimi had no trouble returning the 2 pairs of jeans she brought back. One pair was a little damp, but Mimi refunded the lady her money and let her go her way.
When putting away the jeans, another manager took the jeans and felt the dampness. She smelled them and found out what the liquid was.

It was Pee!

With a visible shudder, I pity Mimi for having to touch that. And wonder what on earth would possess someone to return pee soaked clothes. that's just... ew!

Mental Monday- Let's go for a Ride!

'Ello Kid-lets

I introduce the Mental Monday:

Today I bring you a story from the riveting world of sales and business and the poor shmucks who work to serve the whims of the average shopper.

As dealing with interesting people every day, you get a few good stories here and there. From certain customers who couldn't read their way out of a paper bag and others who are rocking and make my day just that much better. Mostly they just make me mental!

So here is just a little humor to brighten your day...

The other day I had a customer come into my store. My store is notorious for t-shirts with slight sexual innuendos and the offending t-shirt in question contained a roller coaster ride, with the cars having mustaches riding in them...

I hope you are old enough to understand.

Well I overhead this little tidbit of conversation of two women yelling at each other from across the store, keep in mind that these ladies were in the mid to late 20's, also her voice was higher than a man who's been kicked in the balls and airy like you've been inhaling fumes all day... you get it.

Woman " OH MY GOD, look at this shirt!!!! It has mustaches on it! My little sister LOVES things with mustaches!!! She would totally love this"

facepalm... Oh oh oh and then she said this...

"LOOK!!! THEY'RE RIDING A ROLLERCOASTER!!!"

...

Sadly, she did not buy the shirt but I hope you get a little sunshine in your day from this story!