Reality of Retail.....at Christmas

I'm currently writing this blog on my first day off since I broke up for Christmas.Yes you heard me FIRST DAY OFF SINCE BREAKING UP FOR CHRISTMAS. That means I have dragged myself out of bed at the crack of dawn to go and work an 8 hour shift at next for 7 whole days in a row. I usually don't mind working in retail because I'm fortunate to work with my friends but Christmas at retail is a whole different story. No one wants to be stuck in a busy clothes shop for more then an hour max try having to weave in and out of the crowd for hours on end. What annoys me the most about it all is the lack of respect that customers give you, like ah I get it its stressful but were all trying to do our best and just simply do our job. We don't get paid bonus we get paid just about minimum wage and all we ask is for respect.

What makes me so sad about the whole aspect of it is that were missing out on so much quality time with my family. 3 years now I have worked in retail at Christmas and in that time I have lost one very precious family member, my nana, I was always so close to my nan and Christmas was always a time we would spend together. last year I didn't Get to see her as much with my busy work rota and unfortunately I missed out on creating precious memories that I would cherish. Its not only me that feels this as as most of the staff at my job are of older women who have their own kids who are at home waiting for them while they're having to deal with people who forget that we to are also human.

Aside from having to deal with customers stress leading up to the big day, the true big day is Boxing Day. The stress I feel working a Boxing Day shift is a type of a stress I have never felt before. Next Boxing Day has been a known event for years and sadly for me it doesn't seem to become less popular as the years go on. Imagine having to wake up at 4am on Boxing Day, dragging yourself to work to see a queue of 500 people who have me camping all night, its hell. I feel genuine fear when I hear the doors opening and the sound of running it's like a horror film. you will usually find me simply crying in the stockroom for the majority of my shift.

After reading this you will properly never accept a job offer for retail and stay completely clear of your retail park but don't let me put you off working in retail. my work family are amazing and I certainly wouldn't of stayed as long as I have int he business if I didn't have them by my side.