Surprise, Your Cashier Has a Degree

Many people assume that because you work in retail you are stupid. Not all people believe this myth, but many are ignorant enough to follow this line of thinking.


The bulk of these ignorant people disrespect, condescend, and try to use these behaviors to run game on many retail salespeople. (Definition: Run game - slang meaning to con something or someone)

Well I've got news for those people, most retail salespeople either hold a degree in their pockets or are pursuing a degree. People work in retail for a number of reasons.


Retail offers a flexible schedule to students, parents, retirees, and freelance writers trying to make it in the world. Many stores offer 401K, pension, health insurance, and a plethora of benefits in addition to the lovely discount. 

Sometimes I have to put people in their place with all the benefits of my lovely customer service training.


This lady sashays up to me in a three-piece suit and places her briefcase on the floor. She asks me, "Do you know anything about this department?"


So I decide to mess with her and use my Buckwheat voice, you know the kid from The Little Rascals. After taking the time to look around as if I'm looking for help, "Well uh ma'am I guess I'm all ya got t'day."


She takes a deep breath and shakes her head as if I did something wrong to her. "I'm looking for a cover that goes over my down comforter, I forgot what it's called. Do you even know what I'm talking about? Isn't there someone else who can help me?" 


She looks at me as if she doesn't expect me to have an answer. I dropped the bomb on her, "Well madam we no longer carry duvet covers, the item you could not recall. What type of duvet are you looking for and do you have any preferences for style or thread-count? Are you aware of the differences in thread-count and style?"

Let's just say I had to do it to her because she asked for it as so many do. Another time I punched in one too many zeros by accident, so I had to count the change out in my head. No problem you would think, right?


This customer asks me, "Do you need my help? I noticed the amount is different on the register." Now she saw me counting out the change without even looking at the register, but she wants to be a smart ass. 

Of course, I let her know my two cents. "Oh...uhm...I'm not sure if I can figure this one out. Let's see you gave me $XX and the total was $XX." Again I dropped the bomb, "Well if I were working on a derivative function I might need your help, but this is just basic math that I can do in my head. Have a good day!" 

Of course I didn't tell her about our online survey because she was being way too rude.  Next time you think about disrespecting a cashier, take into consideration that they might not be as stupid as you assumed.